Coming up on your right, you’ll catch a building that has more stories than your local library - the Tevis Block. Now, you’d never guess it, but this two-story chunk of downtown survived the 1952 earthquake with its dignity, and most of its bricks, intact. Back then, it was one of the rare unreinforced brick buildings to make it through, earning itself some serious brownie points… plus a big dose of structural upgrades.
Take a look at the fanlight windows, terra cotta arches, and all that brickwork drama - that’s Second Renaissance Revival style, for anyone studying up on classic architecture. Down in the basement, those old rectangular windows used to swing open for breezes before air conditioning made everything boring.
The Tevis Block started out as the headquarters for the Kern County Land Company, the brainchild of James Haggin and Lloyd Tevis. These guys helped develop the land around the Kern River, investing in Bakersfield’s future long before real estate meant million-dollar listings. Funny thing, in 1890, you could buy a home here for a few hundred bucks - less than ten grand in today’s cash.
Alright, when you’re ready, just head east for about 19 minutes and you’ll reach Garcés Memorial Circle.
