Howser helps history move along

rankinhowser072: Howser helps history move alongIt was mid-morning on July 10 in Bakersfield. Cars and SUVs were wedged everywhere there was a place to park. In some cases vehicles were double- parked next to an old, modest-appearing house on the corner of Rosedale Highway and Calloway Drive. Dozens of people were milling around outside, checking out a photo display that was set up in one section of the front yard before going inside to see rooms of antiques dating back to the early 1900s.

Then, Huell Howser and his camera crew arrived, officially putting a stamp of importance on this day. Howser, who writes, produces and stars in his own nationally-syndicated, public television, documentary series, "California's Gold," came to Bakersfield to include the J.J. Lopez House in a future episode. Why would the Lopez House interest Howser?

Well, to start with it has been a part of Bakersfield history since 1909, when Lopez, a resident of Kern County since 1874, built the house at Chester and California avenues. Lopez had worked his way from sheepherder to manager of Tejon Ranch where he worked for 28 years. When he died in 1938, the house passed to Lopez' daughter, Margaret Pearl Meacham.

Watching Howser work was interested by-stander Joe Davis, J.J.'s grandson, who had lived in the house. When Howser discovered who Davis was, he turned the camera his way.

"What was it like living in this house," Howser asked.

"Well, we didn't have gas because it might have exploded," Davis replied. "We used wood in the stove."

Meacham sold the home in 1953 to Otis Coppock, who moved it to its current location.

As Howser's camera was rolling, he asked a question of Glenda Rankin whose parents, Arlin and Lavern Hill, had purchased the home for $8,000 in 1966.

"The house was moved from Chester Avenue to here, why," asked Howser.

"We don't know for sure, but there was an earthquake in 1952 that destroyed a lot of downtown Bakersfield, and we think that might have been part of the reason," Rankin said. "They might have needed the property for building and improvement."

Rankin's mother Lavern, who lived in the residence and used it as an upholstery shop, died in 2005, leaving the house to her children, Rankin, Arlin Wayne Hill, Harvey Hill and Diane Sharman. Rankin said it was her mother's wish to have the house moved to the Kern County Museum where it could be protected and preserved for generations to see.

And, that ties into another reason Howser came to Bakersfield. A fund-raising drive is underway by the Kern County Museum Foundation to make Hill's dream come true. Howser's documentary to be aired in the future on KCET-TV in Los Angeles and KVPT-TV in Fresno-Bakersfield will focus on the history of the house and efforts to fund its relocation to the museum. After the house is relocated, Howser said he will return for a follow-up segment.

Moving and restoring historic Lopez House will not be cheap. The estimated cost is $320,000. The foundation is seeking donations from citizens, corporations, anyone who can help. Present at the Howser taping were Bimat Elementary School students, Owen and Molly Pruett, who voluntarily helped raise $1,500 with other students, teachers and parents for the project.

Those interested in donating to the Lopez House moving and restoration project can contact Heather Fowler, foundation executive director, at (661) 852-5020. For more information about the Lopez House and donating, check the http://www.movethishouse.org/ Web site.


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