Boom - Town Celebrates

Written by Bakersfield Magazine

A cannon is a terrible thing to waste. That’s probably why, in the 1880s, Bakersfield Fourth of Julys were not only legendary...they were loud. What better way to kick off our country’s independence than by firing an artillery weapon used to win our freedom from the British? Makes sense to us.

That’s probably because patriotism runs deep in Bakersfield, and nowhere is that more apparent than in early photographs capturing the city’s famous Independence Day celebrations.

Fourth of Julys in the 1880s boasted parades that stretched down several blocks of 19th and Chester. Horse-drawn carriages, draped in flags, proudly strolled down the street; jovial pops of firecrackers echoed throughout the town; and Bakersfield’s belle, wearing her sash, waved at bystanders. We really celebrated in style.

That style came by way of a decree. The town’s committee sent store owners a letter urging them to decorate their shop’s porch. And so it was proudly done. Store fronts, even saloons, were decked in red, white, and blue bunting; and American flags hung in every window, or were stuck in potatoes that hung from porch roofs.

While the parade lasted, flags never flew higher, and patriotism seemed it would never fade away. County newspapers have since proclaimed it was a time “when parades were really parades.”

While we don’t have horse races or chicken-pulling contests anymore, we still know why we gather together every July 4. Sparklers have replaced firecrackers and we use potatoes for potato salad now, but the American flag still waves proudly in Bakersfield.

Now, who do we have to talk to about getting that cannon back in commission?

Article appeared in our 26-2 Issue - June 2009