Beale Memorial Library, Bakersfield

Beale Memorial Library stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of General Edward F. Beale and his family's commitment to education and public service. Established at the dawn of the 20th century, the library owes its existence to the generous contributions of the Beale family, who donated the building, furnishings, and several collections to the city in memory of General Beale. This philanthropic gesture laid the foundation for a cherished institution that would serve as a beacon of knowledge and learning for generations to come.

Despite facing adversity in the form of the devastating earthquake of 1952, which left the original library building in ruins, the spirit of Beale Memorial Library endured. In 1988, the library found a new home in a state-of-the-art, 130,000-square-foot facility located on Truxtun Avenue. This modern building not only provided a fresh start for the library but also symbolized the resilience and determination of the Bakersfield community to preserve its cultural heritage and intellectual resources.

Today, Beale Memorial Library stands as Kern County's central research library, offering a wealth of resources to scholars, researchers, and avid readers alike. With approximately 300,000 items in its collection, including an extensive archive of local history and genealogy records, the library serves as a vital hub for those seeking to explore the rich tapestry of Kern County's past and present.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Bakersfield. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Beale Memorial Library
Sight Location: Bakersfield, USA (See walking tours in Bakersfield)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Bakersfield Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Bakersfield, California

Create Your Own Walk in Bakersfield

Creating your own self-guided walk in Bakersfield is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Bakersfield Historical Buildings Tour

Although many buildings in Bakersfield, California were damaged during the earthquake of 1952, the majority of them have survived and since then been carefully restored and preserved. Thanks to this effort, the city boasts a rich tapestry of historical properties reflecting its growth and cultural heritage.

Among these landmarks, the Fox Theater stands out as a beacon of entertainment history.... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles

Bakersfield Introduction Walking Tour

Bakersfield, California is a hub of culture and history tucked away in the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley. Native Americans, specifically the Yokuts people, inhabited present-day Bakersfield for thousands of years. In 1776, Spanish missionary Francisco Garc茅s was the first European to explore this territory, encountering its indigenous population.

Among those attracted to the area by... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles

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