This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Early days in Shafter recall by 83-year-old Jake Kroeker
Jake Kroeker of Shafter recalls visiting the town 68 years ago to demonstrate tractors. He notes the machines were the first four wheel drive tractors, introduced in 1919, and he served as service manager with a Wasco garage as well as in Taft and Delano. Born in Russia, he came to the U.S. in 1901, worked his way from Kern County Land Company to Southern Pacific, rising to locomotive inspector before later years away from the railroad.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jake Kroeker
Shafter
Mr. Kroeker
Kroeker
Wasco
Taft and
Delano
Russia
United States
Oklahoma
California
Reedley
Kern County
Kern County Land Company
Southern Pacific
Five Points
Southern Pacffc
Becauue