1873
City of Bakersfield is incorporated in Kern County.

1888
Bakersfield and Kern Electric Railway begins operating.

1889
Oil discovered.

Bakersfield Southern Pacific station opens.

1904
Beale Memorial Clock Tower built.

1907
The Bakersfield Californian newspaper begins publication.

1910
Kern becomes part of Bakersfield.

1921
Central Park established.

1928
Kern County Chamber of Commerce Building and Padre Hotel are constructed.

1929
Hart Park opens.

1930
Fox Theater in opens.

1945
Kern County Museum opens.

1954
Bakersfield City Hall is built.

1955
Memorial Stadium opens.

1962
Bakersfield News Bulletin begins publication.

1963
Crest Drive-In cinema opens.

1965
Community Action Partnership of Kern is established.

1976
Bakersfield Department of Water Resources is established.

1977
Mesa Marin Raceway opens.

1980
California Living Museum (zoo) is founded.

Population reaches 174,820.

1996
Buck Owens Crystal Palace (music hall) opens.

2000
Bakersfield (Amtrak station) opens.

Population reaches 247,057.

2006
River Walk Park opens.

2007
Kern Veterans Memorial opens.

Kevin McCarthy becomes U.S. Representative for California's 22nd congressional district.

2009
Mill Creek linear park opens.

Bakersfield 16 Cinema in opens.

2013
Kern County Raceway Park opens.