The Bakersfield Sign (also known as the Bakersfield Neon Arch) is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Bakersfield, California. It is located over Sillect Avenue, where the street intersects with Buck Owens Boulevard, to the northwest of Downtown Bakersfield. The sign can be seen from State Route 99 (Golden State Freeway) and is just past the freeway off-ramp. It is also next to the Buck Owens Crystal Palace.
The sign was originally constructed in 1949 and was over Union Avenue, just south of California Avenue. That road was a part of the Golden State Highway (US 99), which was the main connector between Northern and Southern California by the San Joaquin Valley. The Bakersfield Inn wanted to expand across the street. The sign was constructed as a footbridge to connect the two halves of the hotel.
The construction of the sign also served another purpose. Most of the Central Valley communities along US 99 had an arched sign spanning the highway to welcome drivers to the towns and cities that they were entering. The Bakersfield sign became the arched sign for the city.
Unfortunately, the old sign had fallen into such a state of disrepair that the only components that could be saved were the blue porcelain letters. By rebuilding the sign and using what original components could be salvaged, it was again visible to the important Golden State...
Read moreI know that Buck owens would of made sure that the Bakersfield sign was taken care of it's sad that they slowly started to look bad when you have a sing of the city name what message do you it send out to the public to me it says that if sing looks bad then how is the rest...
Read moreIt's the Bakersfield sign so it is a spot you should stop jump.out take a quick photo and go to your destination.
Park at the Crystal Palace for a quick photo. The gate was open and the parking lot was empty on a random...
Read more