The streets of Bakersfield

Alumna shares where they got their names

By California State University, Bakersfield

May 10^th, 2018

They honor the city's pioneers. They reflect what it grows. One is meant to clear up confusion.

The names of the streets of Bakersfield have, in many cases, a good story behind them. And on Thursday, Lori Wear, curator of collections at the Kern County Museum and a CSUB alumna, shared them with the 60+ Club on campus.

Wear, whose local family roots go back multiple generations, is one of the go-to sources for Kern County history. She has a bachelor's degree in anthropology from CSUB and has worked at the museum for more than 19 years.

Here are the stories Wear said are behind some of Bakersfield's most well-known roadways:

Bernard Street is named for James A. Bernard, co-owner of the Metropole Hotel.
Brundage Lane honors Judge Benjamin Brundage, an Ohio Army private who moved to Havilah and then Bakersfield when the latter became the county seat.
Calloway Drive gets its name from the Calloway Canal.
China Grade Loop’s name comes from the Chinese who picked watercress along the banks of the Kern River.
Castro Lane is named for the family of Thomas and Maria Castro. Mrs. Castro walked from Mexico to Bakersfield while pregnant. The family owned a ranch in the Castro Lane area.
Chester Avenue derives its name from the Chester Land Co., in turn named after brothers George and Julius Chester. George had a store at 19th Street and Chester Avenue.
Cottonwood Road, Dracena Street, Grapevine, Oak Street and Oleander Avenue reflect what grows in the area.
Edison Highway’s moniker comes from the area power plant.
Gosford Road is named for the 4th Earl of Gosford, who purchased land from the Kern County Land Co., though the company took it back and put a feedlot near Pacheco and Gosford.
Downing Avenue honors the family that owned the Downing Dairy.
Jewett Avenue pays tribute to Solomon Jewett, a bank owner who funded many businesses in town.
Old River Road follows the path of the Old River Channel of the Kern River.
Holtby Road, Houchin Road, Ming Avenue and Hughes Lane are named for families who owned property in the area.
White Lane recognizes John Wesley White, an early 4th District county supervisor.
Eye Street originally was I Street but was changed because people were confused during mail delivery whether something was an “I” or an “L.”
And why do so many streets have two names? Many were separate streets that were eventually joined, and some stretches are named to honor someone, Wear said.