Great Bakersfield Fire of 1889
Encyclopedia
The Great Bakersfield Fire of 1889 was a conflagration
in Bakersfield
, California
. The fire would burn for three hours and destroyed most of town (later reincorporated as a city). In total, 196 buildings were destroyed, one man was killed and 1,500 people were homeless. The fire marked the transition of Bakersfield from a frontier town to a metropolitan city.
Prior to the fire, Bakersfield could best be described as a frontier town. Most of the buildings were constructed out of wood in a low density configuration. Buildings were also set back from the sidewalks. The town did have a network of fire hydrants. Water was delivered by Scribner's Water Tower.
At that point, the fire was too large for a single hose, connected to a single fire hydrant
to handle. More men were dispatched, and a subsequent connection would be made at a neighboring hydrant. It was at this point that a horrific discovery was made. There was not enough water pressure in the line to deliver water to the fire.
The fire jumped to the undertakers building, located next door. Since the town was mostly constructed out of wood, the fire quickly jumped from building to building. The town's fire engine finally arrived, but it took 20 minutes for enough steam pressure to build for operation. At that point, the fire was large enough that little could be done to stop it.
When the fire reached the Southern Hotel, it was hot enough that the solder, used in the indoor plumbing, was liquefied. Because of the updraft created by the fire, the solder flew into the air and rained down on the streets below. Later, the fire jumped to Scribner's Water Tower at a location which firefighters could not reach it. However, the structure was saved when Will Houghton leaned out a neighboring window and threw a bucket of water on it. In the Kern Valley Bank, a bathtub filled with water was used in an attempt to save that building, but the effort failed. After three hours, the fire was extinguished.
were Scribner's Water Tower and St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
The local newspapers were destroyed, however, George Wear (who owned the Gazette) saved a hand press. With that, news about the fire was published. The next day, food began to arrive from neighboring ranches. The water tower would continue to provide drinking water. Haggin and Carr brought supplies from their store in Belleview Ranch, and businessmen from neighboring Sumner
also assisted. Later money and clothing began to arrive. Tehachapi
even donated $74.50 to assist. Later, assistance began to arrive from Sacramento
, Los Angeles
, San Francisco, and Fresno
. However, by that point, rebuilding efforts were well underway.
. With the importance of the railroad, it was believable that Sumner would become the dominate town.
The city leaders would act in a completely opposite direction than the Fresno newspaper predicted. Instead of moving away, they started planning a town three or four times bigger than the one which was destroyed. In 1890, the town had a population of 2,626, but the new town was planned to support a population of 10,000 - 15,000 people.
With this attitude, most of the buildings were rebuilt larger and grander than the previous. Most were constructed out of brick with an ornate and decretive style. The look of the town had been transformed from a frontier style, to a metropolitan style. The finest was the Southern Hotel, which cost $110,000 to construct. The hotel was three stories tall and contained 84 rooms. All of the rooms were equipped with hot and cold running water and gas. Designed for a city 10 times the size of Bakersfield, it was considered a rival to the finest hotels in San Francisco.
The city leaders planned for a population of 10,000-15,000 people. By the 1900 census, the city had grown to 4,836, an 84% increase. With the construction of the San Francisco and San Joaquin Valley Railroad through Bakersfield in 1898, and the discovery of oil in 1899, Bakersfield grew to a population of 12,727 in the 1910 census (a 163% increase). By comparison, in the 2010 census, Bakersfield had a population of 347,483.
Conflagration
A conflagration or a blaze is an uncontrolled burning that threatens human life, health, or property. A conflagration can be accidentally begun, naturally caused , or intentionally created . Arson can be accomplished for the purpose of sabotage or diversion, and also can be the consequence of...
in Bakersfield
Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield is a city near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County, California. It is roughly equidistant between Fresno and Los Angeles, to the north and south respectively....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The fire would burn for three hours and destroyed most of town (later reincorporated as a city). In total, 196 buildings were destroyed, one man was killed and 1,500 people were homeless. The fire marked the transition of Bakersfield from a frontier town to a metropolitan city.
Prior to the fire, Bakersfield could best be described as a frontier town. Most of the buildings were constructed out of wood in a low density configuration. Buildings were also set back from the sidewalks. The town did have a network of fire hydrants. Water was delivered by Scribner's Water Tower.
The Great Fire
The fire started on July 7, 1889. Accounts vary as to the start of it, however, the best supported view was that it began in Mrs. N. E. Kelesy residence (near the intersection of 20th Street and Chester Avenue). She was in the process of preparing Sunday dinner, which was an all day affair. Apparently gas fumes from the stove caught fire, and subsequently caught the house on fire. Smoke was spotted at 9:00 am, and firefighters were quickly dispatched.At that point, the fire was too large for a single hose, connected to a single fire hydrant
Fire hydrant
A fire hydrant , is an active fire protection measure, and a source of water provided in most urban, suburban and rural areas with municipal water service to enable firefighters to tap into the municipal water...
to handle. More men were dispatched, and a subsequent connection would be made at a neighboring hydrant. It was at this point that a horrific discovery was made. There was not enough water pressure in the line to deliver water to the fire.
The fire jumped to the undertakers building, located next door. Since the town was mostly constructed out of wood, the fire quickly jumped from building to building. The town's fire engine finally arrived, but it took 20 minutes for enough steam pressure to build for operation. At that point, the fire was large enough that little could be done to stop it.
When the fire reached the Southern Hotel, it was hot enough that the solder, used in the indoor plumbing, was liquefied. Because of the updraft created by the fire, the solder flew into the air and rained down on the streets below. Later, the fire jumped to Scribner's Water Tower at a location which firefighters could not reach it. However, the structure was saved when Will Houghton leaned out a neighboring window and threw a bucket of water on it. In the Kern Valley Bank, a bathtub filled with water was used in an attempt to save that building, but the effort failed. After three hours, the fire was extinguished.
The Aftermath
The results of the fire were devastating. Fifteen city blocks were destroyed which was most of the city. In total: 147 businesses, 44 homes and 5 hotels were destroyed (a total of 196 buildings). One man was killed in the fire, and 1,500 people were homeless. Property damage was estimated at an even $1 million. The only two structures to survive in the central business districtCentral business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
were Scribner's Water Tower and St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
The local newspapers were destroyed, however, George Wear (who owned the Gazette) saved a hand press. With that, news about the fire was published. The next day, food began to arrive from neighboring ranches. The water tower would continue to provide drinking water. Haggin and Carr brought supplies from their store in Belleview Ranch, and businessmen from neighboring Sumner
East Bakersfield
East Bakersfield is a region in Bakersfield, California directly east of downtown. The region was the former town of Sumner, which was later incorporated and renamed Kern City. It is primarily a mixture of residential and commercial developments...
also assisted. Later money and clothing began to arrive. Tehachapi
Tehachapi, California
Tehachapi is a city incorporated in 1909 located in the Tehachapi Mountains between Bakersfield and Mojave in Kern County, California. Tehachapi is located east-southeast of Bakersfield, at an elevation of...
even donated $74.50 to assist. Later, assistance began to arrive from Sacramento
Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, San Francisco, and Fresno
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
. However, by that point, rebuilding efforts were well underway.
Reconstruction
After the fire, the Fresno Expositor predicted that the citizens of Bakersfield would not rebuild, and simply drift away. The prediction was understandable. The town did not have direct rail access. The Southern Pacific Railroad was constructed to the east, through SumnerEast Bakersfield
East Bakersfield is a region in Bakersfield, California directly east of downtown. The region was the former town of Sumner, which was later incorporated and renamed Kern City. It is primarily a mixture of residential and commercial developments...
. With the importance of the railroad, it was believable that Sumner would become the dominate town.
The city leaders would act in a completely opposite direction than the Fresno newspaper predicted. Instead of moving away, they started planning a town three or four times bigger than the one which was destroyed. In 1890, the town had a population of 2,626, but the new town was planned to support a population of 10,000 - 15,000 people.
With this attitude, most of the buildings were rebuilt larger and grander than the previous. Most were constructed out of brick with an ornate and decretive style. The look of the town had been transformed from a frontier style, to a metropolitan style. The finest was the Southern Hotel, which cost $110,000 to construct. The hotel was three stories tall and contained 84 rooms. All of the rooms were equipped with hot and cold running water and gas. Designed for a city 10 times the size of Bakersfield, it was considered a rival to the finest hotels in San Francisco.
The city leaders planned for a population of 10,000-15,000 people. By the 1900 census, the city had grown to 4,836, an 84% increase. With the construction of the San Francisco and San Joaquin Valley Railroad through Bakersfield in 1898, and the discovery of oil in 1899, Bakersfield grew to a population of 12,727 in the 1910 census (a 163% increase). By comparison, in the 2010 census, Bakersfield had a population of 347,483.