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The Mayor of the City of Bakersfield, California has officially proclaimed November 5, 2010 as Colonel Thomas Baker Day In our city in recognition of the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Bakersfield's founder, Colonel Thomas Baker, in recognition of the standard he set for generations to come by abiding by his motto, "Time will always justify a man who means to do right", and in recognition of his conviction that the little settlement he founded along the Kern River would one day become a thriving city, the hub of the Southern San Joaquin Valley. [Read the Actual Proclamation] Learn more about Bakersfield's History About Colonel Thomas Baker In 1866, Colonel Baker began to design the city of Bakersfield. He thought that one day Bakersfield would be an important city in California. He mapped the town with streets that were 82 1/2 feet wide. and avenues that were 115 feet wide. Baker had looked at streets in other cities and he thought that the usual 66 feet was too narrow for carriages. Baker also set aside land for a civic center In 1866 only 600 people lived in Bakersfield. Baker was already selling his land for $1.00 an acre to attract people to the new town. He only kept 80 acres of land for himself. Baker believed that a great city would grow along the Kern. He worked hard to make this happen. As stated above he had a motto; "Time will always justify a man who means to do right." |
Copyright @ 1998 - 2012 - City of Bakersfield. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: 1600 Truxtun Avenue., Bakersfield, California 93301 Phone: (661) 326-3000 | Business Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Monday through Friday except Holidays. |