Baker, California

For the community in Kern County formerly called Baker, see Boron, California.

Baker, California
Census designated place
Aerial view of Baker looking north: I-15 jogs south around the town, leaving Baker Boulevard, the main street, to show where the pre-interstate highway (US 91 and US 466) went. Baker Airport sits just north of the city alongside northbound CA 127, the "Death Valley Road".
Location in San Bernardino County and the state of California
Baker, California Location within the state of California Show map of California Baker, California Baker, California (the United States) Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 35°16′37″N116°04′18″W / 35.27694°N 116.07167°W / 35.27694; -116.07167
Country	United States
State	California
County	San Bernardino
Area [1]
• Total	2.69 sq mi (6.96 km2)
• Land	2.69 sq mi (6.96 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)  0%
Elevation [2]	942 ft (287 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	442
• Density	164.43/sq mi (63.49/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP codes	92309
Area codes	442/760
FIPS code	06-03512
GNIS feature ID	2628708 [2]

View of Baker from the east on I-15

Baker is a census-designated place located in San Bernardino County, California, US. ^[2] As of the 2020 census, the CDP had a total population of 442. Baker's ZIP Code is 92309 and the community is within area codes 442 and 760.

History

Baker was founded as a station on the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad in 1908 and was named for Richard C. Baker, business partner of Francis Marion Smith in building the railroad. Baker later became president of the T&T himself. ^{[3] [4]}

Baker was established in 1929 by Ralph Jacobus Fairbanks (1857–1942), who was an American prospector, entrepreneur, and pioneer who established several towns in the Death Valley area of California, including Fairbanks Springs (1904–05) and Shoshone (1910).

It is the site of a vacant, 223-bed for-profit prison formerly operated by Cornell Corrections which experienced a major riot on December 2, 2003, four weeks before it was temporarily closed. ^[5] It was permanently closed on December 25, 2009. GEO Group purchased Cornell Companies, its owner, on August 12, 2010. ^[6] It had previously experienced escapes in August and November 1995 and two on July 15, 1997. ^[7]

Geography and climate

Baker is located in the Mojave Desert at the junction of Interstate 15 and SR 127 (Death Valley Road). Its elevation is approximately 930 feet (283.5 m) above sea level, which is much lower than either Barstow or Las Vegas, due to its location at the southern end of the Death Valley geological depression. The Cronese Mountains are located southwest of the community. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP covers an area of 2.7 square miles (7.0 km²), all of it land. Summer temperatures in Baker routinely exceed 110 °F (43.3 °C); 2007 saw a record of 125 °F (51.7 °C).

Climate data for Baker, California
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	80 (27)	92 (33)	96 (36)	106 (41)	116 (47)	119 (48)	124 (51)	124 (51)	119 (48)	110 (43)	92 (33)	82 (28)	124 (51)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	63.1 (17.3)	68.6 (20.3)	76.8 (24.9)	84.3 (29.1)	94.9 (34.9)	104.8 (40.4)	110.2 (43.4)	107.9 (42.2)	100.2 (37.9)	87.1 (30.6)	72.6 (22.6)	62.4 (16.9)	86.1 (30.1)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	34.6 (1.4)	39.4 (4.1)	45.6 (7.6)	51.7 (10.9)	61.3 (16.3)	70.2 (21.2)	77.0 (25.0)	75.4 (24.1)	67.2 (19.6)	54.7 (12.6)	42.8 (6.0)	33.9 (1.1)	54.5 (12.5)
Record low °F (°C)	16 (−9)	21 (−6)	24 (−4)	34 (1)	38 (3)	43 (6)	53 (12)	54 (12)	42 (6)	32 (0)	23 (−5)	14 (−10)	14 (−10)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.47 (12)	0.71 (18)	0.51 (13)	0.20 (5.1)	0.11 (2.8)	0.07 (1.8)	0.27 (6.9)	0.46 (12)	0.41 (10)	0.25 (6.4)	0.31 (7.9)	0.41 (10)	4.19 (106)
Source: The Western Regional Climate Center [8]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
2010	735		—
2020	442		−39.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [9] 1850–1870 [10] [11] 1880-1890 [12] 1900 [13] 1910 [14] 1920 [15] 1930 [16] 1940 [17] 1950 [18] 1960 [19] 1970 [20] 1980 [21] 1990 [22] 2000 [23] 2010 [24]

The 2020 United States census reported that Baker had a population of 442. The population density was 164.4 inhabitants per square mile (63.5/km²). The racial makeup of Baker was 21.3% White, 0.5% African American, 36.9% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 1.1% Pacific Islander, 28.1% from other races, and 10.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 78.1% of the population.

The whole population lived in households. There were 125 households, out of which 40.8% included children under the age of 18, 52.8% were married-couple households, 8.8% were cohabiting couple households, 16.8% had a female householder with no partner present, and 21.6% had a male householder with no partner present. 21.6% of households were one person, and 5.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.54. There were 89 families (71.2% of all households).

The age distribution was 33.7% under the age of 18, 11.1% aged 18 to 24, 24.7% aged 25 to 44, 24.4% aged 45 to 64, and 6.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.8 males.

There were 167 housing units at an average density of 62.1 units per square mile (24.0 units/km²), of which 125 (74.9%) were occupied. Of these, 28.0% were owner-occupied, and 72.0% were occupied by renters. ^{[25] [26]}

Economy

Baker's economy is based primarily on tourism. The town is frequently used as a stop for food and fuel by drivers on Interstate 15 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Baker is approximately 90 miles (144.8 km) southwest of Las Vegas. It is the last town for those traveling on SR 127 north to Death Valley National Park or south to the Mojave National Preserve. Until recently there was one motel in Baker, the Santa Fe Motel, formerly the Wills Fargo Motel, but as of 2023 the motel has closed.

Baker Airport is a small facility owned by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, but it is managed by San Bernardino County Department of airports ^[27]

Former prison staff housing rentals

Government

State and federal representation

In the California State Legislature, Baker is in the 19th senatorial district , represented by Republican Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, and in the 34th Assembly district , represented by Republican Tom Lackey. ^[28]

In the United States House of Representatives, Baker is in California's 23rd congressional district , represented by Republican Jay Obernolte. ^[29]

Since Baker is an unincorporated community of San Bernardino County, County CEO, Leonard X. Hernandez, would be considered the Chief Administrator of Baker.

Water, Sanitary Sewers, Trash Collection Services, Fire Protection, Television Translators, Road Maintenance, Street Lighting, Park and Recreation is administered by the Baker Community Services District ^[30]

Mars rover test site

The Mars Science Laboratory Team tested an engineering model of the Curiosity rover in the desert near Baker. ^[31]

Education

The CDP is in the Baker Valley Unified School District. ^[32]

Attractions

"World's tallest thermometer", in November 2003 in Baker, California

• The town's most prominent feature is a 134-foot (41 m) thermometer, dubbed "the world's tallest thermometer". Its height commemorates the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth, 134 °F (56.7 °C), in nearby Death Valley on July 10, 1913. ^[33] It was created by Willis Herron, who owned many businesses in Baker and, at one point, was said to have employed half of Baker's population. Hoping to draw more visitors into Baker, Herron partnered with Young Electric Sign Co. in 1991 to build the monument. It originally cost $750,000 to build and was blown over by high winds before it was officially lit. It was quickly rebuilt with a sturdier design. In 2005, Herron sold several of his businesses to Matt Pike in 2005 before passing away in 2007. Visible for miles, Pike temporarily stopped its operation in 2012 due to expensive electric bills of $8,000/month and inaccurate temperature readings. When Herron's widow Barbara learned that the beloved landmark was being considered for demolition, she repurchased and refurbished it. ^[34] The thermometer was relighted following restoration on July 10, 2014. ^[35]
  • The thermometer was featured on the television show Strange Inheritance season 1 episode 13 on the Fox Business Network.
• Alien Fresh Jerky, a quirky store selling various types of jerky and alien-themed merchandise. The store is itself a tourist attraction with statues of aliens and architecture resembling galactic ships. Billboards on I-15 commonly feature the store. In 2020, the store came under fire for controversial racist remarks against Asians. ^[36]
• Abandoned structures, such as the tiki-inspired Arnie's Royal Hawaiian Motel (opened in 1957, closed in 2009, formerly known as Grace's Oasis) and Bun Boy Restaurant and Motel (opened in 1926, closed in 2013), ^[34] are popular amongst urban explorers.
• Dumont Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle Area, a popular area for ATV riders. ^[37]
• Just a few miles to the west along I-15 lies the exit for Zzyzx Road. This dirt road leads to Soda Springs, the site of the health resort established by Curtis Springer in the late 1940s and now the Desert Study Center maintained by the California State University.
• A yearly race is held called "The Challenge Cup Relay: Baker to Vegas" or commonly referred as "Baker to Vegas" where law enforcement do a relay running race from Baker, CA to Las Vegas, NV. It attracts law enforcement agencies including LAPD, national, and international agencies to participate annually. ^[38]

In popular culture

• The 2003 film The Big Empty takes place in Baker, California. It was also filmed on-location ^[39] .
• In the video game Fallout: New Vegas , the fictional town of Novac features as a main attraction the world's second-largest thermometer.
• The second season of the Fallout TV series utilized Baker as a filming location for scenes set in Novac.

See also

• California portal

• List of census-designated places in California

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Baker, California
3. Bright, William (1998). 1500 California Place Names: Their Origin and Meaning. Berkeley, California: University of California Press. p. 20. ISBN   0-520-21271-1.
4. Hildebrand, George Herbert (1982). Borax Pioneer: Francis Marion Smith . San Diego: Howell-North Books. p.  89. ISBN   0-8310-7148-6.
5. Prison Riot Investigation Underway Archived April 14, 2015, at the Wayback Machine , KLAS-TV, December 3, 2003. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
6. Final Audit Report—Baker Community Correctional Facility, Contract R05.006 Archived 2016-03-14 at the Wayback Machine , State of California Department of Finance, April 11, 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
7. Recent escapes from private prisons 1995-2000 Archived 2012-01-18 at the Wayback Machine , Oregon AFSCME, 2000. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
8. "Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Information". Western Regional Climate Center. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
9. "Decennial Census by Decade". United States Census Bureau .
10. "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
11. "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
12. "1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
13. "1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
14. "1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
15. "1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
16. "1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
17. "1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
18. "1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
19. "1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
20. "1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
21. "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
22. "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
23. "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
24. "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
25. "Baker CDP, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
26. "Baker CDP, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
27. "Baker Airport".
28. "Final Maps | California Citizens Redistricting Commission" . Retrieved July 20, 2025.
29. "California's 23rd Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC.
30. CSD, Baker. "Baker Community Services District". Baker Community Services District.
31. "An Inside Look at the Mars Curiosity Rover". Time . December 9, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
32. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: San Bernardino County, CA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 4 (PDF p. 5/12). Retrieved October 4, 2024. - Text list
33. Willon, Phil (December 24, 2012). "Baker's giant thermometer, long on the blink, is taking heat". Los Angeles Times .
34. PlacesThatWere. "Gateway to Death Valley: The Broken Dreams of Baker, California". Places That Were. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
35. Rocha, Veronica (July 12, 2014). "World's tallest thermometer in Baker shines bright again". Los Angeles Times .
36. Editorial Staff (May 9, 2020). "Beef Jerky Boss Sends Racist Email to 'Oriental' Client, Blames Poor English Skills". NextShark. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
37. "Dumont Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle Area". Bureau of Land Management, California. 2014. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
38. "The Official Baker to Vegas Website". bakervegas.com. 2014. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
39. The Big Empty (2003) - Filming & production - IMDb . Retrieved May 30, 2025– via www.imdb.com.

External links

• Baker Chamber of Commerce
• A history of Baker
• Pilgrims in the Desert ^{[ usurped ]} - a book on the history of Baker
• History and photos of Baker's roadside attractions
• Mojave National Preserve