Browse Items (25 total)

Harry A. Hopkins (1882-1957), a prominent Bakersfield businessman and oilman of the Taft area. He was elected to the first board of trustees upon Taft's incorporation in 1910.

Helen J. Barton was the wife of Stephen Barton, who founded the town of old Isabella. Photo courtesy of A. O. (Gus) Suhre.

James Madison Glenn lent his name to the town of Glennville, where he and his wife settled. Initially a blacksmith, he later managed a hotel. He died in 1883.

James W. Jameson (1862-1934) was a pioneer California oil executive. He discovered Kern County's Midway oil field and also had business interests in building and cement corporations in Southern California.

Oil Center's first general store was opened in the early part of the 20th century by John W. Heard, who sold it to brothers Otto C. and Edward Heck, who later sold it to Jesse S. Rees.

Leonard Pressley St. Clair (1871-1960) was a pioneer in the development of Kern County's oil industry and former president of Union Oil Company.

Lew Suverkrop (1895-1965) was an inventor, geologist, and engineer. He made the front page of the Bakersfield Californian on April 15, 1939, for his hand transit, an optical instrument that proved useful in surveying.

Sarah Glenn was the wife of James Madison Glenn, who lent his name to the town of Glennville. She was survived by 5 children: Mrs. Morris Borgwardt & Mrs. William Glass of Bakersfield, Mrs. Frank Beale of Visalia, John Glenn of White River, and Neil…

Peter Gardett was a pioneer of the Greenhorn Mountain area in Kern County. This picture was taken in Coslin, Germany, which is now part of Poland.

Peter Gardett was a pioneer of the Greenhorn Mountain area in Kern County. He was at least 45 when this picture was taken.