Great Bakersfield Fire of 1889
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The Great Bakersfield Fire of 1889 was a conflagration in Bakersfield, California. The fire would burn for three hours and destroyed most of the 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.
Quick Facts Date, Location ...
Date | July 7, 1889 (1889-07-07) |
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Location | Bakersfield, California |
Outcome | 196 buildings destroyed, $1 million property damage, 1,500 homeless Marked the transition from a frontier town to a metropolitan city. |
Deaths | 1 |
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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.