We hear a lot about the bigger cities in Kern County but each town has its own unique history and culture.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Enjoy a virtual visit to the southernmost region of the Central Valley with the latest author talk at Beale Memorial Library.<\/p>\n
Ruth Leon Barba will present\u00a0“Stories From Below Bear Mountain: Arvin, Lamont and Weedpatch” starting at 11 a.m. Saturday.<\/p>\n
The presentation will draw on her book, part of the\u00a0Images of America history book series, that combines a collection of vintage photographs with historical perspective.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before the Spanish, Mexican and U.S. settlers entered the picture, the Yokuts called this region of the valley home. The “first seeds” of Arvin, Lamont, and Weedpatch were planted in the late 1800s and agriculture soon became a central part of the economy, attracting people from all walks of life. The area’s rich heritage was shaped by both Dust Bowl and Mexican migrations.<\/p>\n
Barba, a graduate of Arvin High School (and We the People Program alum), is proud of both her Arvin and Mexican roots, according to an event news release. The\u00a0social studies teacher and Cal State Bakersfield alum, with a background in political science and history, has served as the president of the Arvin Historical Society for the past nine years.<\/p>\n
For her book, Barba interviewed community members and selected the best images from the historical society, Dust Bowl Foundation and other public and private collections.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Barba worked with Mary Louise Durham, former president of the Arvin Historical Society, on the book. The edition also features a foreword by lifelong Arvin resident Dr. James “Fizzer” Young.<\/p>\n
(Other Images of America series titles of local interest are “Bakersfield,” written by former Bakersfield Californian columnist and\u00a0Emmy Award\u2013winning reporter for KGET-TV 17 Robert Price, and “Kern County Sports Chronicles” by former baseball player and writer Bryce Martin.)<\/p>\n
Two signed copies of “Arvin, Lamont, and Weedpatch” will be given away at the end of Saturday’s program.<\/p>\n
The talk will take place from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday in the Local History Room, located on the second floor of the Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave.<\/p>\n
The local history collection houses books, directories, maps, periodicals, newsletters and photographs covering a remarkable range of subjects related to Kern County and its history.<\/p>\n