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Building History

The building as originally erected had only one story. Mrs. Laura Harding, the building owner in 1910, commissioned Bakersfield architect Erskine Bemus to expand it to three-stories and increase the square footage of the floor plate, as well. The Bakersfield Californian wrote: "The Harding one story building, occupied by L.C. Ross, and other tenants, and with a 66-foot frontage on Nineteenth street between Chester Avenue and I Street is to be converted into a handsome three story structure with 50 offices and rooms on the second and third floors. Plans have been drawn by Architect Bemis [sic] and have been approved by Mrs. Laura Harding. They call for a modern structure, and the arrangements for lighting and ventilation will make each room light and airy, there not being a dark room in the building. There will be hot and cold water throughout with baths on each floor. A broad stairway will lead from Nineteenth street. The present building is only 80 feet deep, but the structure will now cover the entire area of the lot back to Wall street, 115 feet deep. The 'Harding Building' will be the name given to the structure and from the plans it will be one of the handsomest business blocks in the city. Mrs. Harding has arranged to protect the interests of the present tenants, and bids will be called for at an early day." (See Bakersfield Californian, vol. CCI, no. 102, 02/07/1910, p. 1.)

PCAD id: 21788