Bakersfield #001
Sign In The Sky

Back to my old habits of wandering the streets of Bakersfield, California in the early morning hours. The Padre Hotel is one of the most visible landmarks in Bakersfield.

Originally built in 1928, the eight story Spanish Colonial Revival had an auspicious and flamboyant beginning in the Central Valley’s early and notorious Oil Rush days. But none quite so colorful as that of Milton “Spartacus” Miller, who purchased The Padre Hotel in 1954. Through the next 45 years, he did spirited battle with Bakersfield’s city fathers over a myriad of issues, even mounting a rooftop canon, defiantly directed at city hall with no small disdain. He died in 1999 and ended an extremely interesting era.

The Padre Hotel, 18th & H Street, Bakersfield, California

Bakersfield #001
Sign In The Sky

Back to my old habits of wandering the streets of Bakersfield, California in the early morning hours. The Padre Hotel is one of the most visible landmarks in Bakersfield.

Originally built in 1928, the eight story Spanish Colonial Revival had an auspicious and flamboyant beginning in the Central Valley’s early and notorious Oil Rush days. But none quite so colorful as that of Milton “Spartacus” Miller, who purchased The Padre Hotel in 1954. Through the next 45 years, he did spirited battle with Bakersfield’s city fathers over a myriad of issues, even mounting a rooftop canon, defiantly directed at city hall with no small disdain. He died in 1999 and ended an extremely interesting era.

The Padre Hotel, 18th & H Street, Bakersfield, California