Bakersfield, Texas, Pecos County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

Born with the oil boom in 1929, it was named by and for "town-builder" J. T. Baker and was granted a post office the same year. The buildings couldn't go up fast enough for the demand and by 1930 there was an estimated population of 1,000. After the stock-market crash the town not only declined - but almost disappeared. Buildings were sold for the lumber or moved off site. By the end of WWII there were about 50 people living in Bakersfield. In the mid 70s there were 30 people left and this is the figure that has been used ever since.

Photographer's Note:
This IS Bakersfield. It qualifies for an interstate exit but not for a road sign. -

Barclay Gibson, December 18, 2007

Abandoned house in Bakersfield
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2007

Pecos County 1940s map showing Pecos River
(Bakersfield is not on the map)
From Texas state map #4335
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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