Valerie Cassity
Special to the Sun

On Monday, Dec. 8, the Kernville Chamber of Commerce hosted an open house and book signing for Helen Witt, author of “Memories of Old Kernville” at its community room. More than 50 people came to the festively decorated community center to have their books autographed and reminisce about life in old Kernville and what Witt has meant to them.

Jeanette Rogers welcomed everyone to the event and invited them to partake of the refreshments the Chamber members had prepared. Rogers met Witt and her husband, Tim, shortly after she came to the Kern Valley, and one of her fondest memories of the couple was watching them jitterbug at community dances. “Now, those two knew how to cut a rug,” Rogers said. In a larger community sense, Rogers said she is thankful that Witt took on a project to preserve the memories of old Kernville. “We’re thrilled because the Kernville Chamber of Commerce a couple of years ago committed itself to keeping the western heritage of the Kern Valley alive, and we have been taking opportunities, such as this one, to do so.”

Helen Witt, seated, shares stories of Old Kernville with the crowd gathered at the Kernville Chamber of Commerce meeting Dec. 8. Witt, author of “Memories of Old Kernville,” is flanked by Jeanette Rogers and Ron Gillentin. Witt signed copies of her book and is donating 30 percent of the cover price to the Kern Valley Historical Society.

Witt moved to the Kern Valley in 1941 when her father purchased the telephone company here. She remembers that when they arrived, the phone lines were haphazardly tacked to fences and trees, and her father put in telephone lines. Witt quickly made many friends, and some of them were in attendance at Monday night’s event to recall with great fondness their basketball games, swimming parties, bi-monthly dances at the South Fork Women’s Club, girls’ softball team, riding the bus to their high school in Bakersfield, and more. Then, Helen met her husband, Tim Witt, in October of 1946, and he quickly danced his way into her heart. “We had a good time growing up here,” said Witt.

As she grew into adulthood, Witt remained active in the community, volunteering at the hospital as a Pink Lady and helping to start the Hospital Auxiliary, of which she has presided as President. In the “Memories of Old Kernville,” in her own words, Witt tells of the people she met, the places she knew, of a life in a much simpler time, and the changes that took place in her world. Witt said she had planned to write the book for more than 30 years, and told a long-time friend at the book signing, “I’ve finally done it!”

Part of the profits from the book go to the Kern River Valley Historical Society, who have said of the book, “Old Kernville is brought to life by some seldom if ever seen pictures.  If you ever wondered what the old town looked like and how buildings were situated then this is the book for you.” 

At only $10, “Memories of Old Kernville” would make the perfect holiday gift for the Kern Valley history enthusiast in your life. The book can be purchased at the Kernville Museum.