Bakersfield Sign

The Bakersfield Sign is a yellow arch with blue porcelain lettering that spans Sillect Avenue at its intersection with Buck Owens Boulevard. The structure rises high enough to be visible from State Route 99 and serves as a distinctive gateway marker for the city.

The original structure from 1949 functioned as a footbridge for the Bakersfield Inn and welcomed travelers along the Golden State Highway. A 1999 reconstruction by Sampson Steel used the original blue porcelain letters, maintaining its historical connection to that earlier era.

The sign serves as a visual marker that residents and visitors use to orient themselves in the area and sense arrival in the city. Its presence creates a recognizable moment as people pass through this major intersection.

The sign stands northwest of downtown near the Buck Owens Crystal Palace and provides a readily recognizable reference point for getting oriented. Its location on a well-traveled route makes it easy to reach and offers convenient access to nearby attractions in the area.

The blue porcelain letters come from the original 1949 structure and were carefully reused during the 1999 reconstruction. These salvaged elements create a physical connection between the city's founding era and its modern landscape.

Location: California

GPS coordinates: 35.38600,-119.04200

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:26