Shafter, California
| City of Shafter | |
|---|---|
| City | |
Fountain in downtown Shafter
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 Location in Kern County and the state of California |
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 City of Shafter
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| Coordinates: 35°30′02″N 119°16′18″W / 35.50056°N 119.27167°WCoordinates: 35°30′02″N 119°16′18″W / 35.50056°N 119.27167°W | |
| Country |
 United States
|
| State |
 California
|
| County | Kern |
| Incorporated | January 20, 1938 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Cathy Prout |
| • State senator | Andy Vidak (R) |
| • Assemblymember | Rudy Salas (D) |
| • U. S. Rep. | David Valadao (R) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 27.945 sq mi (72.376 km2) |
| • Land | 27.945 sq mi (72.376 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 348 ft (106 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 16,988 |
| • Density | 610/sq mi (230/km2) |
| Time zone | PST (UTC-8) |
| • Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| ZIP code | 93263 |
| Area code | 661 Exchange: 746 |
| FIPS code | 06-71106 |
| GNIS feature IDs | 1661428, 2411873 |
| Website | www |
Shafter is a city in Kern County, California, United States. It is located 18 miles (29 km) west-northwest of Bakersfield. The population was 16,988 at the 2010 census, up from 12,736 at the 2000 census.
The city is located along State Route 43. Suburbs of Shafter include Myricks Corner, North Shafter, Smith's Corner, and Thomas Lane.
The city of Shafter began as a loading dock along the Santa Fe Railroad right-of-way. The community was named for General William Rufus Shafter who commanded US Forces in Cuba during the Spanish–American War. Property was sold beginning in 1914 and the city incorporated in 1938.
The first post office opened in 1898, moved in 1902, closed in 1905. A new postal service started in 1914.
Also of historical note, Shafter is home to Minter Field, which began operations in June 1941 and saw heavy use during World War II. Approximately 7,000 troops were stationed at the airstrip which hosted up to 600 prisoners of war as well. Today it is publicly owned and administered by the Minter Field Airport District and serves as an industrial center and airport for crop dusters and private aircraft. The Minter Field Museum is maintained on location as well.
The first truly successful human powered airplane, the Gossamer Condor, piloted by Bryan Allen won the Kremer prize on August 23, 1977 at Shafter's Minter Field. Allen piloted, and powered, the Paul MacCready designed airplane along the one mile long figure '8' course with two 10 foot high obstacles as specified by the Royal Aeronautical Society to claim the £50,000 prize. A California State Monument is located at the Field for this event.
The Shafter Historical Society also maintains two other museums. The Green Hotel and the Shafter Depot Museum emphasize various aspects of the daily lives of Shafter residents in years past; both structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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