BAKERSFIELD, CA - It's one of the city's most recognizable landmarks owned by the Buck Owens Private Foundation.
"I think it was known all over the world. It made a real good impression for people coming into Bakersfield," said Bakersfield resident Joyce Bagsby.
The original Bakersfield arch was built in 1949. It connected the two halves of the Bakersfield Inn and served as a foot bridge over Union Avenue.
But after the the Bakersfield Inn closed down, it began to deteriorate.
"Caltrans was a little concerned about the safety of the sign and so it was removed at that time," said Lori Wear, curator of collections at the Kern County Museum
"The sign was something that was very important to Buck," said Mel Owens, Buck Owens' nephew.
Buck Owens with the help of some private donors, picked up the tab to save what was left of the sign and moved it to its current home near the Crystal Palace on July 4, 1999.
The blue letters from the original sign have since faded because of the sun.
"We have noticed over the years that because of the heat and the sun, that the sign constantly gets that. There's been some peeling on the letters and so we have been looking into some estimates as to what would be involved in redoing the letters of the Bakersfield sign," said Owens.
Owens says the foundation is working on bids for the project. The job is estimated to cost anywhere from $13,000 to $17,000.
"I think it was known all over the world. It made a real good impression for people coming into Bakersfield," said Bakersfield resident Joyce Bagsby.
The original Bakersfield arch was built in 1949. It connected the two halves of the Bakersfield Inn and served as a foot bridge over Union Avenue.
But after the the Bakersfield Inn closed down, it began to deteriorate.
"Caltrans was a little concerned about the safety of the sign and so it was removed at that time," said Lori Wear, curator of collections at the Kern County Museum
"The sign was something that was very important to Buck," said Mel Owens, Buck Owens' nephew.
Buck Owens with the help of some private donors, picked up the tab to save what was left of the sign and moved it to its current home near the Crystal Palace on July 4, 1999.
The blue letters from the original sign have since faded because of the sun.
"We have noticed over the years that because of the heat and the sun, that the sign constantly gets that. There's been some peeling on the letters and so we have been looking into some estimates as to what would be involved in redoing the letters of the Bakersfield sign," said Owens.
Owens says the foundation is working on bids for the project. The job is estimated to cost anywhere from $13,000 to $17,000.