Mr. Delbert Eugene

Kern City opened its doors with an official Open House on October 7 and 8, 1961. Approximately 50,000 people from every state in the United States and Canada visited Bakersfield, eager to view the innovative concept of “Adult Living for Persons over the Age of 50.”

Originated by Del Webb, the unique idea of creating a complete community exclusively for adults seeking “Active Retirement” was first introduced to the nation with the January 1960 opening of Sun City in Arizona, where 4,000 retired citizens demonstrated that “Retirement can be the best years of your life.”

The Bakersfield community took shape when the Kern City Master Planning and Land Development was established in 1960. Plans were made for commercial buildings, single-family residences, and apartments (condominiums).

Before any home sales, Del Webb insisted that community facilities be completed. These included a Town Hall, rooms for arts, crafts, and social activities, an Olympic-sized pool and spa, a library, offices, and the first nine holes of the 18-hole golf course and country club, which covered 170 acres and included a clubhouse and restaurant.

A Kern City Shopping Center was also constructed, with leases negotiated with Mayfair Market, Bank of America, El Tejon Drug Store, Rae’s Coffee Shop, a variety store, beauty and barber shops, and the Kern City Post Office with its own postmistress.

The Stockdale Development Corporation, a joint venture between Del Webb and the Kern County Land Company, was the organization formed to handle Kern City’s real estate affairs.

In addition to Kern City, the company was also developing Park Stockdale, Stockdale Estates, and the 900-acre Stockdale Industrial Park located on District Boulevard.

Ever wondered how the streets got their names? Kern City streets were named after famous golfers and golf courses; Park Stockdale’s were named after members of the Board of Directors of the Kern County Land Company; Stockdale Estates received Spanish names; and the Industrial Park streets were named after U.S. astronauts.

Another point of interest: The Stockdale Development Company also donated land to the State of California for establishing the Bakersfield Campus of the University of California.

Construction of homes in Kern City began in mid-1961. To build inventory, Del Webb initially started and completed 10 homes per day.

The first residents moved into Kern City on April 4, 1962, which included a formal ceremony and a “Key to the City” award.

Home prices ranged from $10,950 to $17,950 with a 10 percent down payment and closing costs of $150.

The stipulation set by the Del Webb Company was that the Kern City Civic Association would be formed of homeowners paying an annual assessment of $35 for two-bedroom units and $45 for larger units. Until the association was large enough to collect assessments sufficient to cover the operating expenses of the facilities, the Del Webb Company paid all costs. In April 1969, the population and membership reached over 600, enabling the association to become financially capable of accepting full managerial and financial responsibility.

The Del Webb Company then transferred all the facilities except the golf course to the Kern City Civic Association and contributed a $50,000 payment to establish a bank account with surplus funds to begin operations on a strong footing.

With the initial introduction of his new concept of active retirement, Mr. Webb stated, “Concrete, steel, and lumber can make the buildings, but People make the community.” Together, we can realize a way of life unprecedented in America. And what a very special kind of People they are, these thousands of retired Americans who have been attracted by this new idea of Active retired living and have together found a renewed pride in living… a pride in the knowledge that this is a community conceived and designed exclusively for them, a pride in each other and their interesting lives… and most importantly, a pride in themselves as happy, interesting individuals with a purpose in living.

Now, 50 years later, while the Kern City Shopping Center is gone, replaced by the Kern High School District, most residents believe Del Webb’s “Active Retirement” concept has been very successful.