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Patterned after Sutter' Fort in Sacramento, California, which was built in 1840 |
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Building began November 11, 1938 by the WPA under President Franklin D. Roosevelt and County of Kern. |
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It took 83 workmen 18 months to build, and was completed and dedicated May 22, 1940 |
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W. Francis Parsons was the architect and designer of The Fort. |
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Built of native adobe mud bricks made at the site, under designer W. Francis Parsons. |
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The Fort covers nearly three acres measuring 360 feet by 200 feet, and over 1,000 feet around the outside walls. The walls are 14 feet high. |
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The central building, the auditorium, is patterned after Sutter's which housed his offices and clerks. the original auditorium was damaged in the 1952 earthquake, and was
rebuilt to safety specifications. |
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In 1940, The Fort held Federal, State, and County offices. The South wing was also the county hospital, and many babies were born here until 1951 when Westside Hospital was built. |
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During World War II, The Fort held the local draft board office where all local soldiers received their call-up notices and discharges. |
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During the Korean War, a National Guard Unit was stationed at The Fort. They drilled in the back parking lot and built the additional adobe lean-to-structures to house arms and vehicles. |
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Thousand of children received their vaccinations and new polio vaccine at the County Health Clinic at The Fort. |
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In 1980, due to large cracks in the outside walls, a building study was done. The Fort was declared "unsafe for major earthquake" and all county offices were moved, leaving it vacant for several years. |
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Due to efforts of Assemblyman Trice Harvey, The Fort was dedicated a State Historic Landmark on May 8, 1980. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on July 22, 1981. This saved the building from being demolished. |
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In 1985, The Fort was given to the West Kern Oil Museum. Seven years later, in December 1992, The Fort Preservation Society was formed and became the owner of The Fort. |
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A 15-member board governs The Fort Preservation Society. The board employs an Executive Director to handle the daily operations and a Caretaker to maintain the facilities of The Fort. |
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The Fort is a nonprofit organization depending on memberships, donations, and office and event rentals to maintain and preserve the structure and grounds. It is used for weddings, parties, school events, class reunions,
meetings, and other community and public functions. |
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Current Tenants
The
Olive Branch
Gift Shop
Fort Business Office
Wedding Chapel
First Nutrition
W. I. C.
Adolescent Family Life
Pro-Vac
Lions Club
Westside Community Resource Center
Taft Community Information
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