unWired Community Spotlight: Bakersfield, CA

unWired Community Spotlight is a series highlighting the communities that make California a great place to live. unWired is proud to provide fast and reliable Internet to homes and businesses in Bakersfield and the surrounding areas.

Bakersfield has a rich and diverse history, dating back to the time of the Chumash Native Americans. The first European to set foot in the area was Spanish explorer Pedro Fages in 1772. In 1848, gold was discovered in California, and the Bakersfield area became a popular stopping point for travelers on their way to the gold fields. In 1851, gold was discovered along the Kern River, and the Bakersfield area began to grow rapidly. In 1869, the town of Bakersfield was officially incorporated.

In the late 19th century, oil was discovered in the area, and Bakersfield became the California’s most productive oil-producing county with 78% of the state’s oil wells located in Kern County alone. The city is home to several oil refineries and is a hub for the transportation of oil and gas, with Chevron being the major petroleum operator in the county.

A major agricultural center in the state, Bakersfield’s top crops include grapes, citrus, almonds, and perhaps most notably, carrots. Two of the nation’s largest carrot producers, Grimmway Farms and Bolthouse Farms, are headquartered in Bakersfield. They are both major employers in Kern County and are also involved in charitable giving and community development. The world’s largest ice cream plant is also located in Bakersfield, an operation for Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream.

Bakersfield is the birthplace of the Bakersfield sound country music genre. This genre is characterized by its twangy guitars, catchy melodies, and working-class lyrics. Prominent Bakersfield sound artists include Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. The Crystal Palace, which was built in 1996 by Buck Owens, attracts country music lovers from across the state for concerts. Notable artists who have performed at the Crystal Palace include Trace Adkins, Garth Brooks, and Reba McEntire. In addition to being the birthplace of a country music genre, the rock band Korn was also founded in Bakersfield in 1993. Korn is one of the pioneers of the nu metal genre of music. The band has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and has won two Grammy Awards.