Garces Memorial Circle
| Garces Memorial Circle | |
|---|---|
 Sculpture of Padre Francisco Garces in Garces Circle | |
| Location | Bakersfield, California |
| Coordinates | 35°23′13″N 119°01′08″W / 35.387°N 119.019°WCoordinates: 35°23′13″N 119°01′08″W / 35.387°N 119.019°W |
| Built | 1932 |
| Governing body | City of Bakersfield |
| Designated | October 21, 1937 |
| Reference no. | 277 |
Garces Memorial Traffic Circle, informally known as Garces Circle or just The Circle, is a traffic circle in Bakersfield, California. The traffic circle is located at the intersection of Chester Avenue, Golden State Avenue (State Route 204) and 30th St in Bakersfield.
History[]
The circle is named after Spanish priest Francisco Garcés, who arrived in the Bakersfield area in 1776.
The Circle was originally built as a part of US 99 in approximately 1932. A large 1939 sculpture of Father Francisco Garces by John Palo-Kangas rests inside the circle.
At 280’ of inner diameter, the Garces Memorial Traffic Circle is a smaller sibling of the similar 360’ inner-diameter 1930 Long Beach Traffic Circle located in Long Beach.
Landmark[]
California Historical Landmark reads:
- NO. 277 GARCÉS CIRCLE - This is the approximate site of the Indian rancheria visited by Franciscan friar Padre Francisco Garcés on May 7, 1776. Padre Garcés named this spot San Miguel de los Noches por el Santa Príncipe.[1][2]
See also[]
Sources[]
- [1] Historical Tour of US 99 - The Golden State Highway
- [2] Father Garces Audio Slideshow - Bakersfield Californian
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Categories:
- California building and structure stubs
- Transportation in Bakersfield, California
- Roundabouts and traffic circles in the United States
- Landmarks in Bakersfield, California
- 1932 establishments in California
- Infrastructure completed in 1932
- California Historical Landmarks