Bakersfield station (Southern Pacific Railroad)

In 1874, construction of the Southern Pacific Railroad line had reached the Southern San Joaquin Valley. Bakersfield was the logical stop for the railroad, but a land dispute had developed between the town and Southern Pacific. It resulted in the railroad building its tracks about 2 miles east of the town. The town of Sumner was laid out by the railroad. It also constructed a small depot. In 1888 the Bakersfield and Sumner Railroad (which later became the Bakersfield and Kern Electric Railway) was constructed to the station. It provided a connection between the station and the Courthouse in Bakersfield.{{cite book| last=Bergman| first=John| title=The Southern San Joaquin Valley: A Railroad History| publisher=Jostens Printing and Publishing Company| location=Visalia, California| year=2009| isbn=978-0-615-25105-9| page=124}}

File:Bakersfield SP station 1913 postcard.jpg

In 1889, the current railroad station was constructed. The station was originally built in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. It contained both a train station and a hotel. One of the station's most defining features was the long arcade, that stretched along the entire north side, connecting the station and the hotel.{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.bakersfield.ca.us/EDCD/Pdfs/HPC/Old%20Town%20Kern%20walking%20tour.pdf |title=Old Town Kern |website=City of Bakersfield |publisher=Bakersfield Historic Preservation Commission |accessdate=May 13, 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324014837/http://www.ci.bakersfield.ca.us/EDCD/Pdfs/HPC/Old%20Town%20Kern%20walking%20tour.pdf |archivedate=March 24, 2012 |url-status=dead }} That same year, the Bakersfield and Kern Electric Railway moved its main line (called the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific Line) to the Santa Fe Bakersfield Station.

In the late 1930s, Southern Pacific was considering demolishing the station in favor of a new design. However, it instead decided to remodel the station. Most of the ornamental features were removed in an effort to provide a more streamlined appearance. The result was a transformation to the Spanish Colonial Revival style. It did retain the steeply pitched roof, which was a part of the original style.{{cite web| last=Powell| first=John| url=http://historicfresno.org/christie.htm| title=Unpublished letter to the editor submitted to the Bakersfield Californian, 31 August 2010| website=Historic Fresno| accessdate=May 13, 2011}}

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File:Bakersfield Station Bakersfield CA.png

File:South side of Bakersfield SP station (2), December 2021.jpg

At some point,{{when|date=November 2020}} the hotel closed and was converted to office space. In addition, half of the portico (on the hotel side) was enclosed. In 1971, Amtrak was formed. That would end the remaining Southern Pacific passenger trains through the station. The station was subsequently closed. The office portion would continue to be used by Southern Pacific, and later by Union Pacific.{{cite web|last=Hardisty |first=Jack |url=http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x606100215/Saving-the-depot-Will-anyone-get-on-board |title=Saving the Depot: Will Anyone Get on Board? |website=The Bakersfield Californian |date=July 10, 2010 |accessdate=May 13, 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924051712/http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x606100215/Saving-the-depot-Will-anyone-get-on-board |archivedate=September 24, 2010 |url-status=dead }}

Union Pacific replaced the offices in the station with a separate building nearby in 2021. In March 2021, a city council member claimed the railroad planned to demolish the former station, while the railroad claimed a decision had not yet been made.{{cite news |url=https://www.kget.com/news/local-news/historic-union-pacific-rail-station-off-baker-street-could-be-headed-for-the-wrecking-ball-councilman-hopes-to-step-in/ |title=Historic Union Pacific rail station off Baker Street could be headed for the wrecking ball; councilman hopes to step in |first=Robert |last=Price |date=March 18, 2021 |newspaper=KGET |accessdate=March 19, 2021}}

Plans for two new rail systems have been proposed, both considering a future stop in East Bakersfield, near the station. Kern County has been studying the possibility of a future regional commuter rail system. Part of the system would use existing Union Pacific tracks.{{cite web| url=http://149.136.20.80/rail/dor/assets/File/Kern_Commuter_Rail_Options_5-7-09.pdf| title=Kern County Commuter Rail Option| website=Kern Council of Governments| accessdate=May 13, 2011}} In addition, Bakersfield has also been studying for a future light rail system. Both systems have a start date beyond 2025.{{cite web| url=http://www.getbus.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/BAKERSFIELD-Fact-Sheet-2-March-8-2011-Spanish-GV1.pdf| title=GET Bus Plan Fact Sheet| website=Golden Empire Transit| accessdate=May 13, 2011}}{{primary source inline|date=November 2020}}

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Category:Buildings and structures in Bakersfield, California

Category:History of Bakersfield, California

Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1889

Category:Former Southern Pacific Railroad stations in California

Category:Railway stations in the United States closed in 1971