Beale Clock Tower, Bakersfield

The Beale Clock Tower is one of Bakersfield’s most enduring landmarks, serving as a visual link to the city’s early 20th-century history. Originally erected in 1904 at the intersection of 17th Street and Chester Avenue, the tower was commissioned by Truxtun Beale in honor of his mother, Mary Edwards Beale. Designed by architect Clinton Day, its Mission Revival style and European influence reflected Beale’s time as U.S. ambassador to Spain. The clock mechanism itself was crafted and installed by Frank H. McConnell.

Despite early plans by the city to remove the structure in 1912 to make way for trolley line improvements, public outcry and Beale’s involvement led to the tracks being rerouted around the tower. For decades, it stood as a central piece of Bakersfield’s streetscape, both admired and occasionally criticized for the traffic complications it caused.

The tower’s fate took a dramatic turn following the 1952 Kern County earthquake, which left it severely damaged. Demolition followed, but key elements like the original clockworks, bell, and ironwork were salvaged. These remnants became the heart of a restoration campaign initiated by residents in the early 1960s.

By 1964, a reconstructed version of the Beale Clock Tower was unveiled in front of the Kern County Museum, approximately 1.25 miles north of its initial location. Blending historical fragments with a faithful reproduction of the original form, the tower continues to honor the Beale family’s legacy and remains a meaningful emblem of community preservation efforts.