slight cover spread at hinge creases, minor cover edge wear. edges discolored. no marks on text.  dustjacket faded with rub marks, dents, and scratches, dustjacket edge crease marks, small tears, and curl.

More than 200 years ago the gentle Father Francisco Garces strode unarmed into the wilderness of the southern San Joaquin Valley. There. upon the banks of a sparking river amidst a thriving Indian settlement, the beloved padre predicted that a vast agricultural and trade empire would one day grace the land. But it would be another 100 years before Colonel Thomas Baker would select the same site as his home and, through his dedicated work and renowned generosity, give the settlement both a name and a vision. Heart of the Golden Empire invites the city of Bakersfield to take a fresh look at the events set in motion by Thomas and Ellen Baker in 1863: The thrills and dangers of the early frontier; the clashes between waves of immigrants and ruthless entrepreneurs who came to carve out new empires from the land; and the drama of  the city's economic booms and busts clear up to the present day. Complimenting this rich adventure is a special chapter, Partners in Progress, which pays tribute to many of the city's leading businesses, whose growth  went hand in hand  with Bakersfield and whose support helped make this volume possible. 16 pages of extraordinary photographs  by award-winning photographer Gregory Iger provide a breathtaking panorama of the region.