The Program - Ken Hooper, Kern County Historical Society

We welcomed Mr. Ken Hooper, member of Kern County Historical Society, the Veteran’s Memorial Foundation, a U.S. History teacher, and Bakersfield High School Archives Director to our meeting. Mr. Hooper came well prepared this morning. Rotarians were given a small sample of Mr. Hooper’s knowledge of the very beginnings of what was once called “Baker’s Field”.
 
From the very origins of our community (when it was named Kern Island) to a valley river flood  (It reached a depth of 1000’ in 1868 at Kernville), to stories of his high school students linking veterans from World War II that were killed in action to their origins to Kern County, Ken had a story. For those that like visuals (like me) Mr. Hooper brought historical photos of nearly recognizable Bakersfield locations.
 
A bit eerie, I suppose, but there was not a Rotarian in the room that wanted Mr. Hooper to stop telling stories, and showing the photos, no offense to President Cheryl and her meeting schedule. The work he has done since 2001 with the Archiving Program at BHS has national acclaim, and it is easy to see why. Personally, I think the tireless work Mr. Hooper and his students have done piecing together our Bakersfield history is appreciated by those that call Bakersfield their home.
 
A historian, a teacher, a mystery solver, perhaps a cold case expert, I think Mr. Hooper and his students have done it all. If you ask me, with all the detailed knowledge and accuracy of describing buildings, roads (the 99 highway formerly ran east down 18th Street to Union Avenue???), and the people - you would think Mr. Hooper really could have been a time traveler, or is he…?
 
Thank you Ken for keeping us connected with our past and sharing a most amazing lesson in our history of Bakersville, or I mean Bakersfield!