Kern County Airport, Bakersfield, CA, Ca. 1931 (Source: Webmaster)
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Kern County Airport was located four miles northwest of Bakersfield, CA. At left, from this REFERENCE, page 14, is a description of the airfield in 1931. From the description, we can orient the aerial photo below as being taken from the northwest looking southeast. The alulminum-painted tanks from the description are clearly visible in this aerial shot. The "noticable bump" referred to convective turbulance set up by hot air rising from the sun-heated tops of the oil tanks. Bakersfield and surrounds were heavily populated with oil derricks and facilities during the early 20th century.
The southeast corner is where the buildings and hangars were located. We can barely see them in the aerial view. The northeast corner, where the water tower and revolving beacon were, is cut off the image.
Kern County Airport, Bakersfield, CA, Ca. 1933 (Source: Webmaster)
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The image right, from this REFERENCE, page 18, shows the airport ca. 1933. It was a square 160
acres in area. It had four oiled runways, 1,800 N/S, 2,200
ft. E/W, 3,700 ft. NW/SE and 3,000 ft. NE/SW (note: the text
of the airport description from the reference above identifies
the length of the NW/SE runway as 3,700 ft. The image, right,
shows it at 3,600 ft.).
Day markings consisted of the standard circle at the intersection
of the runways and "KERN COUNTY AIRPORT" painted
on the hangar roof. Night operations were aided by flood,
boundary and approach lights, as well as an illuminated cone
on the tower, and a 24" rotating beacon with green code
beacon flashing "B".
There was telephone (number: 3488) and weather reports on
the field. Boeing Aircraft Corporation maintained radio station
KQX. Hotels were located in the city and a restaurant was
on the field. Taxi fare was 50 cents to downtown Bakersfield.
There were no landing or floodlighting fees, and fuel, oil
and hangars were available day or night.
Local operators on the field were Cardiff & Peacock,
who provided photography, dusting and flight training, and
the Kern County School of Aviation, which provided flight
instruction.
Below, from this REFERENCE, page 13, is a description of the airfield ca. 1937.
Kern County Airport, Bakersfield, CA, Ca. 1937 (Source: Webmaster)
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THIS PAGE UPLOADED: 06/05 REVISED: 12/15/10, 04/24/18, 12/19/22
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