Down Through the Years 2017

1919-2017A walk down the business path of Kern River Valley

Down Through the Years is a publication of the Kern Valley Sun ©2017 • www.KVSun.com

2 Down Through the Years Kern Valley Sun ©2017

1964 ~ Store Opening1969 ~ McCollough Became Sole Owner1977 ~ Completed Present Building1983 ~ Major Addition1985 ~ Computer System Installed1986 ~ 2-Story Addition

1987 ~ Became Member of Ace Hardware1995 ~ Devastating Fire1996 ~ Drive-Through Warehouse Addition1997 ~ Store Front Remodel1998 ~ Ace 2000-Partnership Award

1999 ~ Receiving Room Addition2000 ~ Expanded Services

Small Engine Repair Shop Rental2004 ~ Roofing and Glulam

Warehouse Addition

2008 ~ Building Addition and RemodelNew State-of-the-Art Computer System

2012 ~ Ace Exclusive...Craftsman Tools

2014 ~ New Product Valspar Paint

4700 Lake Isabella Blvd. • Mon. Fri. 7-6 ~ Sat.&Sun. 8-5toll free 877-459-6237 ~ www.lmlumber.com ~ sales@lmlumber.com

1964Originial Location

Chain Ave.

1977Moved To Current

Location

1997 StoreFront Remodel

L&M Lumber Celebrating 53 Years

Photo SubmittedKern Valley Sun, Lake Isabella

Kern Valley Sun

Down Through the YearsThe thriving merchants of the Kern River Valley have been here for us from the very beginning. Some have a long valley history, and others are fairly new in comparison. As you look through these next few pages and see the familiar names of your friends and neighbors, take a moment to reflect on their many generous contributions to our community. New and old, the ones that have endured have discovered a winning formula: take care of those who take care of you. The successful enterprises of our valley may well see the next century and beyond.“Down Through the Years” is a chronological snapshot of the valley’s expanding businesses.

Show your support by patronizing these hard-working local businesses who have solidified the foundations

of their establishments in the Kern River Valley.

Down Through the YearsKern Valley Sun Staff

Publisher ..................................................................Marsha SmithGeneral Manager .....................................................Natalie BrownValley News Editor .....................................................Chris ZuberValley Life Editor .......................................................Ashley LozaSports Editor ...............................................................Ray ConnerProduction ............................................................ Sarah RooffenerProduction Assistant............................................ Shannon ReposeAdvertising Sales .....................................................Michele LynnAdvertising Sales ..................................................... Tam HartmanCirculation ...............................................................Steve RinehartClassifieds ............................................................ Christina Denys

Kern Valley Sun ©2017 Down Through the Years 3

Photo Submitted

1919

1954

760-376-2411125 Buena Vista Dr.

Kernville

2014 Ewings Re-opened as part of the

Sierra Gateway family.

1962Mt. MesaMarket

760-379-286712324 Mountain Mesa Rd.

Mt. Mesa

1929Sierra Gateway

Markets

760-376-242413432 Sierra Way, Kernville

760-378-220714606 Hwy 178, Southlake

760-376-1315Hwy 178, Southlake

88Years!

1956Paradise Cove Lodge

Steakhouse & MotelLake View Rooms

Steak • Seafood • CocktailsDinner Wednesday-Sunday 5 - 9

NOW HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE!

760-379-2719paradisecovelodge.com

10700 Hwy. 178 • 3 miles e of dam

1964Camp Kernville

OPEN year ‘round“The Only Private Beach On The Kern!”

Full Hook-Ups • Tent Camping • RV Rentals • On Site RV Storage

760-376-2345campkernville.com24 Sirretta Street

Kernville, CAkernvalley.comBodfish School

kernvalley.comBodfish School

4 Down Through the Years Kern Valley Sun ©2017

1964L&M Lumber

760-379-46314700 Lake Isabella Blvd.

Lake Isabella

www.LMLumber.com

53 Years!

1968Kern Valley

Healthcare District

760-379-26816412 Laurel Ave

Mt. Mesa

Mesa Clinical Pharmacy760-379-6106

12608 Mt. Msea Rd., Mt. Mesa

Rural Health Clinic760-379-1791

4300 Birch Ave., Mt. Mesa

Kern ValleyHealthcare District“We Care For You”

1959

760-379-3667www.KVSun.com • Fax: 760-379-43436416-A Lake Isabella Blvd. (Sun Plaza)P.O. Box 3074, Lake Isabella, CA 93240

58YearsStrong!

- Founded in 1959 -

- 1960 -Adjudicated by F.B. “Jim” and Margie Page

- 1961 -Purchased by Everett L. “Toby” Sears

- 1972 -Purchased by Wick Publications

and Clifford Urseth

- 1986 -Urseth shares purchasedby Wick Communications

- 2011 -Purchased by locals Ron and Marsha Smith

1966Kern ValleyVeterinary

Clinic

760-378-248614934 Hwy 178

Southlake

1970Kern Valley

Asphalt Services

760-417-04113168 Shadow Mountain Dr. L.I

Dick BlomgrenThe guy who

does things right!

a.k.a. Kern AsphaltPaving & Sealing

Lic.# 812686

A. Brown Store, 1870’s kernvalley.com

A. Brown Store, 1915 kernvalley.com

Kern Valley Sun ©2017 Down Through the Years 5

Photo Courtesy of Pam Smith

1972Kelly Gonzales

Concrete

760-379-4284661-301-6409 (Cell)

Serving the Kern River Valley

Licensed ContractorLic.# 323227

Commercial & ResidentialWorkman’s Comp • Liability Insurance

1972Kern Valley

Sweet Adelines

Do you Sing?Looking for new members!

Rehersals: Thursdays atSenior Center L.I. 6:30pmwww.KernValleyChorus.org

Celebrating 45 Years!

Photo Submitted

Bodfish Post Office - 1928Herman Fussell, EG Brown: Post Master, & Bill Holmes: Edison employee. The truck belongs to Edison.

The Kern River Valley is bordered by subranges of the Sierra Nevada: the Kern Plateau to the northeast, the Piute Mountains to the southeast, and Scodie Mountains to the south and the Green-horn Mountains to the west.

The Kern River flows through the valley. A dam was completed in 1953, creating the recreational Lake Isabella reservoir.

Towns in the valley include:Kernville • Lake Isabella • Weldon • Wofford Heights • Bodfish •

Mountain Mesa • South Lake • Riverkern • Onyx • CanebreakRoad to discovery of the Kern RIver Valley. The first non-Na-

tive American traveler who entered the Kern Valley came from the east along the South Fork of the Kern River. Capt. Joseph Reddeford Walker entered the Kern Valley in May, 1834. Walker was looking for the northernmost pass through the Sierra that was relatively snow-free. The pass he came over, which is now named Walker Pass in his honor, was exactly what he was looking for at only 5,200 feet elevation.

Capt. Walker made another trip through the Kern Valley in 1843. He was working as a guide for a wagon train coming to California from Missouri. The emigrants passed through the Kern Valley on their way to the coast.

In the winter of 1845-1846, Capt. Walker led yet another party through the Kern Valley. This was an expedition of artist Edward M. Kern, for whom Kern County, Kernville and the Kern River Val-ley are all named. The party camped where the north and south forks of the Kern River joined, a spot which is now deep under the waters of Isabella Lake.

In 1848, gold was discovered in Northern California, and the tide of gold-seekers soon became a flood. A number used the Kern Valley route as a pass through the Sierra, and then continued to the gold fields up north. But gold fever caused exploration of streams and rivers in the Kern Valley as well.

Kern Valley Sun ©2017 Down Through the Years 6

Borel Flume over Caliente Bodsish Rd. at Bodfish

Borel Flume over Caliente/Kernville Stage Road at Bodfish kernvalley.com

1972Lanny Borthick

760-379-7832P.O. Box 910

Kernville

General ContractorLic.# 269081

1976Nelda’sDiner

760-379-84485128 Lake Isabella Blvd.

Lake Isabella

Family OwnedProudly Serving The

Kern River ValleyFor 41 Years!

1985Cheryl’sDiner

760-376-613111030 Kernville Rd.

Kernville

Owner, Cheryl BorthickChosen 2010

Small BusinessPerson of the Year

1985R.J. Smith

Construction

760-379-6440ronjsmith47@gmail.com

Your Valley ContractorNew Homes • Room Additions

References • Free EstimatesInsured • Lic.# 333664

1973

760-379-36846069 Lake Isabella Blvd.Downtown Lake Isabella

Century 21Real Estate

1979

760-376-2216Circle ParkKernville

The DrugStore

Kern Valley Sun ©2017 Down Through the Years 7

Photo Courtesy of Dick BlomgrenOverview of Lake Isabella

1990Diana P. Wade

760-417-2390Lake Isabella

DisabilityAdvocateand

Representative

1990Cynthia Cowden

Investment Services

760-379-23386504 Lake Isabella Blvd.

Lake Isabella

CA Ins. Lic.# 0709290

Securities Offered ThroughNPB Financial Group, LLC

Member FINRA, MSRB, & SIPC

Cynthia Cowden Investment Servicesis not an affiliate of

NPB Financial Group, LLC

1994The Burlington

760-376-647413 Sycamore

Wofford Heights

New Owners 2004

1991Bookkeeping +

Darlene M Studdard, E.A.

760-376-680360 Woodland Drive

Wofford Heights

NOTARY • FAX• INCOME TAX National Society of Accountants

National Society of Tax Professionals

DOWN THRU 26 YEARS

1995Kern Valley

Home Improvement

760-379-4121760-379-7336 (Cell)

Lake Isabella

Lic.# 723815 H.I.C.Replacement Windows • Base Board MouldingSteel Doors • Fiberglass Doors • Wood Doors

Door Casing • Security DoorsPhifer Sunscreens • Cabinets Installation

Decorative Crown Moulding

Photo SubmittedKern River Flood of 1966 at Burlando Rd in Kernville

8 Down Through the Years Kern Valley Sun ©2017

Kern River Flood of 1966 at Burlando Rd in Kernville

1990

Valley’s OnlyFull Service Agency

Judy BatesDebra Wiruth

760-376-6006P.O. Box 69 Kernville, CA 93238

SOT 2018020-40

Photo Courtesy of Stewart Barbee

Lake Isabella Photo Submitted

Steve McQueen Lake Isabella Photo Courtesy of Life

1997Kern Village

760-376-673332 Burlando Rd. Kernville

Celebrating20 Years!

1999Harry P. Thal

Insurance Agency

760-376-210011006 Kernville Road #1

Kernville

Health Insurance SpecialistCA Lic.# 0621106

Serving California Since 1982

1998

760-379-5038www.OptimalCares.com

6504 Lake Isabella Bl. Ste. E

Serving The Families of the KernRiver Valley For Over Eightteen Years

Our Mission...As a team, we combine compassion with the art and science of medicine

to help patients and families live life to its fullest.

Kern Valley Sun ©2017 Down Through the Years 9

1997

760-379-80002202 Crestview Ave

Lake Isabella

The APPLIANCE Center

1996Bryan’s

Pumping Service

760-379-3987Kern River Valley

Septic Tanks PumpedBryan Jose - Owner

New Kernville Photo Submitted

Photo Submitted

2015Bethany & Co.H A I R   A N D N A I L   S A L O N

760-379-4224Kern Valley Plaza

Lake Isabella

Whiskey Flat 1988 Kernville Photo Submitted by Natalie Brown

10 Down Through the Years Kern Valley Sun ©2017

2004Faith Morrison

State CertifiedMassageTherapist

760-417-20686416 Lake Isabella Blvd.

Suite C2, Sun PlazaAcross The Street From

Lake Isabella Post OfficeLake Isabella

2004Able PropertyManagement

Lic.# 00982861Serving the Kern River Valley

760-379-54796435 Lake Isabella Blvd.

(Post Office Center)Lake IsabellaAblePM.com

2001Kernville

Animal Hospital

760-376-119232 Tobias Street

Kernville

Vicki L. Boyer, DVM

Serving The Kern River Valley For 49 Years!

6412 Laurel Ave. • Mt. Mesa • 760-379-2681

March 1978 2015

760-379-1791760-379-1791RURAL HEALTH CLINIC

4300 Birch Ave., Mt. MesaMonday thru Friday 7am-7pm

760-379-6106760-379-6106MESA CLINICAL PHARMACY

12608 Mt. Mesa Rd., Mt MesaMonday thru Friday 9am-6pm

760-379-2681760-379-2681SKILLED NURSING CENTER6412 Laurel Ave., Mt. Mesa

• 25-Bed Acute Care Unit• 74-Bed Unit Skilled Nursing Unit• 24-Hour Emergency Department• Rehabilitation Services• Surgical Services• Radiology• Laboratory• Cardio/Pulmonary• Retail Pharmacy• Rural Health Clinic

Watch us grow! Kern Valley Healthcare District's Rural Health Clinic has expanded hours; you may now schedule office visits from 7:00 am to

7:00 pm Monday thru Friday. Walk-ins are accepted upon availability. You may choose to see Dr. Carlos Montes, M.D., Greg Davis, PA-C,

Morgan Higgins, PA-C, or our newest Physician's Assistant Bryan Batdorf, PA-C. We are excited to announce that plans are currently underway to begin

construction, adding 4 exam rooms and a new lobby to the Rural Health Clinic. The future is looking brighter than ever before at KVHD.

The hospital was constructed and commenced operation inMay 1968. During the first year and a half of operation, 1,000patients were admitted and some 4,500 emergency cared for.

Open 7 days 7am- 9pm Winter

hours vary

“Serving The Kern River Valley for

Four Generations”

Open 7 DaysService & Alterations • Mon. - Fri. 8am - 6pm • Drop & Go ~ In by 8 out by 5

13426 Sierra Way (On the River) • Kernville • 760-376-8855

Come Join Us... Dining Drinks Views

125 Buena Vista Dr. KERNVILLE

Breakfast 7-11am • Lunch 11am-4pm • Dinner 4-9pm • 7 Days A WeekBREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER

Prime Rib Served Friday & Saturday

Daily Specials

Reservations accepted for parties

of six or more

Visa, Mc, AmEx &Discover Accepted

Foreign & Domestic BeerFine Wines • Cocktails

PATIO DINING • BANQUET FACILITIES PRIVATE PARTIES • 2 FIREPLACES

5 LARGE SCREEN TV’S

760-376-2411

Everything Is New, Except For

The View!

In 1910, the old original James Station was established by William and Eva James, to provide mining camp residents and ranchers with lodging and fresh fruit and vegetables from their lush orchards and gardens.The station, situated at Cane Brake, near Walker Pass, was halfway between the activities in the Kern River Valley and the railroad head at Inyokern, which provided a convenient overnight stopping place for tired and hungry travelers. To supplement this income, Billy James hauled produce and groceries from Porterville to Randsburg,

which took two-three weeks by horse-drawn wagons. Bert James, the youngest son, carried on his grocery business by purchasing a small store in Old Kernville in 1929, which was moved to its pres-ent location in Kernville in 1950. The James Store has continued to serve the people of the Kern River North Fork area with the same old fashioned personal courtesy and service that has made it one of the valley’s oldest, flourishing businesses.Our newest market, in Southlake, will carry on the long-established James family tradition of up-to-date, friendly service to the entire Kern River Valley.

88 Years Strong Serving Our Friends & Neighbors Of The Kern River Valley

In 1954 Ewings opened it’s doors and was a valued part of the valley through the years. In 2014, after having been closed for a few years, Ewings re-opened it’s doors as part of the Sierra Gateway family.

1929BERT’S STOREGroceries-Meat

14604 Hwy 178, Southlake760-378-1315

Sporting Goods & Fuel13432 Sierra Way, Kernville

760-376-2424

On The River

14606 Hwy 178, Southlake760-378-2207

On The Lake