Early Pioneers Helped Build Shafter Business District
May 1953 feature recalls how courage and foresight transformed Shafter from two stores to a thriving downtown. It credits early merchants like W. H. Hitchcock and Charles Shomate for seeding growth, organizing community efforts, and securing water, paving the way for a solid commercial district.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Shafter Desert
Shafter
W. H. Hitchcock
Charles Shomate
Kern County Recorder
Shomate
Early Shafter growth forged by business leaders and water men
Describes Shafter's 1920s transformation from a desert townsite to a growing city led by a network of businessmen. They took over the water system, funded pipe extensions, formed the Shafter Public Utility District, and built sidewalks and infrastructure while promoting municipal incorporation and a high school. The old association evolved into the Shafter Chamber of Commerce to market the city nationally.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Shafter
Shafter Businessmen’s Association
Hitchcock
Clarence Campbell
George Straut
John Maurer
Herb Midgley
Sho
Henry C. Neufeld
Shafter Public Utility District
Bank of America
Central Avenue
Central
Santa Fe Way
Five Points
John Hart
Kern County
Staps
W. B. Camp
Neufeld
Campbell
Kern County Union High School District Board of Trustees
Phil Channeson
Ear Arnold
Bakersfield Californian
Businessmen's Association
Grant
Eventoneen
Henry Neufeld
Bill Handel
August Bender
Also Mentioned on This Page
the Shafter Press
King Lumber Co
Marion
Helm
Kern County Land Co
Shafterites
Shar
Shafter Chamber of Commerce
J&l Feed & Farm Supply
Central Ave. Shafter
Bakersfield Veterinary Clinic
Rosedale Hwy
Santa Barbara Savings
Central Ave
City Council
City
Shafter City Hall
James Street
Greg Vasquez
Greg Vazquez
San Diego State University
Greg
Shafter High
Pastor
Clementine Vazquez
Kimberly-Clark Truckload
Central Valley Hwy
Shafter, Calif
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!