Bakersfield's Union Cemetery (c. 1872)

On these sacred grounds lie early pioneers, city founders, soldiers of the Civil War on both sides, and the man for whom the city is named. Historic Union Cemetery is more than a memorial park, it is the storybook of the American West.

This place tells the story of Bakersfield’s emergence into a significant urban, agricultural and oil center, and of countless families who, since 1872, have forever merged their own histories with the heritage of this remarkable place.

Let's begin with the beginning. It was the middle of the 19th century when Colonel Thomas Baker, the man for whom Bakersfield is named, moved to Kern County and ultimately settled in what was then known as Kern Island. A prosperous lawyer, politician and businessman, he hand-selected this parcel of land as the place he wanted to "Lay my bones".

Baker's grave in 1872 marked the beginning of Union Cemetery, the resting place of thousands who have shaped the community's history.

One such shaper was Benjamin Brundage, a celebrated jurist who made Bakersfield a political power center and helped draft a controversial new constitution for California in the 1870s.

A favorite of mine is pioneer George Chester. Mr. Chester accomplished several “firsts” for Bakersfield, including acting as its first postmaster and first telegraph operator and opening its first general store.

We are not quite sure what happened with Jacob Niederaur's tombstone (it is oddly encased in cement). Jacob was Bakersfield’s first undertaker and the first sexton (keeper) of Historic Union Cemetery, which he helped to develop.

This is the Galtes Mausoleum, home to Paul Galtes, one of Bakersfield's pioneer businessmen. He built a small grocery store into one of the most successful general stores in the town. He built the first brick shopping block in 1878 and followed it with a hotel and a theater. He served as one of the first trustees of the town and was an active member in all that happened here. Sounds like a good guy.