The Tevis Block in Bakersfield
historic place
The Tevis Block, also known as the Kern County Land Company Building, is a historic place in Bakersfield, Kern County. Constructed in 1893, it was designed by San Francisco architect Henry A. Schultze. This two-story, U-shaped structure exemplifies Second Renaissance Revival architecture, built with imported fire brick. The building served as the headquarters for the Kern County Land Company from 1894 until 1959. Formed in 1890 by James Haggin and Lloyd Tevis, the company owned vast land in Kern County, significantly developing the region around the Kern River. The Tevis Block notably survived the 1952 Kern County earthquake as one of few unreinforced masonry buildings. It was subsequently strengthened and restored. The Tevis Block was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 29, 1984. It represents the Kern County Land Company's influence on the area's early development.