KernLife.com

All > Kern Trivia > Kern County Communities
Lamont
Topics: Lamont CA, Lamont, Kern County
Posted by admin Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
Viewed 297 times
0 responses 0 comments Location: Lamont, CA

A few miles south of Bakersfield lies a little piece of Mexico. Hispanic culture and mouthwatering ethnic food abound in Lamont, a small farming community.

The town consists of one major road, Weedpatch Highway/State Route 184, which is home to many Mexican restaurants, taquerias, carnicerias and other shops featuring ethnic gastronomic delights.

Jenna Aguilar, daughter of Luis and Jackie Aguilar (owners of the popular El Pueblo restaurant) shared, "My dad was born in a small town in Mexico, so Lamont is just like home to him. It's just like being in Mexico."

Lamont's small population does not hinder local business owners. Customers are loyal and come from all surrounding areas. Luis Aguilar explained "(El
Pueblo) gets visitors from all over: Taft, Tehachapi, Frazier Park, Bakersfield, even Lake Isabella!" Congruent to the small town atmosphere, business owners are friendly with one another.

"All the business people on the main street know each other and always help each other out when there are problems," Luis Aguilar explained.

The town's population is mostly made up of farmworkers. Grimmway Farms and Bolthouse Farms are two of the largest employers for the area.

Lamont's history is steeped in agriculture.

John Steinbeck's famous book, "The Grapes of Wrath," was based on events that unfolded in the Lamont area during the Dust Bowl.

The town was founded in the 1920s by wheat growers.

In the 1930s the town growth exploded.

At this time, "Okies" - who left their homes in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri and Arkansas in search of field work in California - were migrating to the Arvin Federal Camp, known commonly as the "Weedpatch Camp." These workers formed the base population of Lamont.

Lamont locals are grateful for their niche of culture.

Luis Aguilar explained, "Lamont has been so good to us. People ask, ' Why don¹t you move the business to Bakersfield?' I always say, 'No! I am staying in Lamont as long as we are still in business!'"

 Geographic information
Size: According to the Kern County Engineering Department, greater Lamont is an area of about 5.5 square miles whose borders are roughly defined as
follows: Buena Vista Boulevard to the south, Fairfax Road to the west, Vineland Road to the east and Mountain View Road to the north.

Climate: Temperatures and rainfall average:

• During the hottest days of summer: high, 98; low, 70.
• During the coldest days of winter: high, 54; low, 38.
• Annual precipitation: 6.49 inches.

Economic demographics (according to the 2000 U.S. Census)
Population: 13,296

Average household income: About $25,600

Per capita income: About $7,900. (Almost 30 percent of families and 32 percent of the overall population were found to be below the poverty line.)

Business Major industries: Grimmway Farms, Bolthouse Farms Industries providing employment: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, mining, wholesale trade, education, health and social services.

History
Year founded: 1923

Government
County government representative: Kern County Board of Supervisors, District
5 Supervisor: Michael J. Rubio, Lamont Office, 12014 Main St., Lamont, 93241, 868-5815, fax 845-6357

School districts Lamont School District (K-8): Superintendent Cheryl McConaughey, 7915 Burgundy Ave., Lamont, 93241; 845-0751, fax 845-0689 Kern High School District (9-12): Superintendent Donald E. Carter, 5801 Sundale Ave., Bakersfield, 93309, 827-3100, fax 827-3301 Public safety/human services

Law enforcement: Kern County Sheriff¹s Department, South Area Division - Lamont Substation, 12022 Main St., Lamont, CA 93241, 868-5750, fax 868-5811
Fire: Kern County Fire Department - Lamont, Station No. 51, 8225 East McKee Road, Lamont, 93241, 845-1212, Emergencies - 911

Animal Control: Kern County Animal Control Services Division, 201 S. Mount Vernon Ave., Bakersfield, 93307, 868-7100, fax 868-7101, www.co.kern.ca.us/acd

Kern County Department of Human Services: Lamont District Office, 10215 Stobaugh St., Lamont, 93241, 633-5600. Closed Friday.

Community services
Kern County Library - Lamont Branch: 8304 Segrue Road, Lamont, 93241, 845-3471. Hours: Noon - 8 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday-Saturday; closed Sunday-Monday.

Bear Mountain Recreation and Park District: 10300 San Diego St., Lamont, 93241, 845-0757. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. English-Spanish bilingual staff.

Lamont Senior Center: 10300 San Diego St., Lamont, CA 93241, 845-0938.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with lunch served at 11:30 a.m., Monday-Friday.

Send to a Friend

Report a Violation