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In The Hood: Oleander
Topics: Oleander, In The Hood, Kindra79, neighborhood, Bakersfield, Bakotopia, blog, Residential Living, Stories
Posted by Kindra79 Thu Dec 27, 2007 14:39:34 PST
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0 responses 7 comments Location: Oleander St., Bakersfield, CA 93301

In The Hood: Oleander
The rich spirit of Bako’s past is alive and well for this city dweller



By Kindra79, Bakotopia.com contributor

Oleander … the name draws me in and sends images of wide streets, tall trees, unique aged homes with big porches and children kicking down the street on scooters and bikes. Eighteen years ago I was transplanted from a northern sleepy hollow to this town … as long as I’ve been here it just never felt completely like home.

Then the spirit of Oleander called to me and began to pull me in, I was 16 the first time I entered the neighborhood on my own. I’d longingly drive the streets of Oleander and imagine living among the tall trees, scattered mansions, quaint cozy bungalows and craftsmanship of the past. It reminded me of the home I longed for. Then I’d break back into reality and drive to the east side of town where my family resides, all the while with Oleander on my mind.

Two years ago I began looking for a house of my own. I searched the north, east, west, even ventured a little into the south. I assumed Oleander would be out of my league, being that I always thought it was full of aristocrats and old money. I began to think I could settle for the lower Alta Vista area, until I hit up the MLS and saw that several fixer-uppers were just in my range.
 
After months of hit and miss I had given up, Oleander continued to whisper in my ear, but I had decided to just rent a modern home in a cookie cutter neighborhood.  The spirit of Oleander haunted me and teased me in my dreams, as I was waiting for the modern home to become vacant I was compelled to search the www.MLS.com one more time.

There she was … a 1920s bungalow on a large lot with towering trees. I immediately called my agent to facilitate a visit. Located on a wide street off of Oleander Avenue, just seven houses down from the notorious Fritz mansion, it was my diamond in the rough - a family of wealthy Polish immigrants had built and occupied her until she became a rental 20 something years ago.

As my agent fumbled with the lock I stared up into five story tall oak and pecan trees listening to the leaves rustle in the breeze. I took a deep breath and for the first time in 18 years felt home. Inside the bungalow Oleander consumed my spirit - I was possessed and knew I had to purchase this home. She wanted me to be there.

I have lived and danced with the Oleander spirit for nearly two years now. Oleander is a sleepy hollow more diverse than I ever expected. I’ve spent hours researching the history of the neighborhood, reading tales of sordid pasts and walking the neighborhood for countless miles absorbed by the activity that surrounds me.

There is a street vender who rides his tricycle hawking corn and other spicy treats, the ice cream man in his traditional postal truck painted blue with a red-and-white awning over its window who smiles at each child sometimes even handing out a free treat, the nearby park flooded with families each weekend and holiday with an amphitheater that offers a melody of music that winds its way through the yards on summer Sundays, down the streets and into all of the neighboring windows.

Each Halloween reminds me of those movies that scream traditional Americana with children flooding the sidewalks, kicking the piles of multicolored leaves, going door to door greeted by grimacing Jack o’ Lanterns.

Last summer, just before the wild parrots took nest in my trees, I became frustrated with my old girl and put a for sale sign up front thinking a brand new condo would make life easier … but she wouldn’t let me go. It wasn’t until I took the sign down a few weeks later that I was finally able to sleep again, reaffirming that Oleander is where I belong.

*Wanna talk about your hood? Send Matt a shout: matt@bakotopia.com

Printed in Bakotopia Magazine, Issue 18, 12-27-07

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Comment From: matt

Wonderful as always!! Thanks, Kindra! :) Comment From: twinkie

ooooh! A ghost is keeping you hostage and you don't even know it. muahahaha. Kidding. Great article. I loved it! Comment From: meestro

Brian from Soulajar & I live in Oleander as well...Love it! I think Oleander and maybe the area around Garces or and/old Panorama are the best neighborhoods in town. Comment From: Kindra79

Thanks Matt! Twinkie, I was thinking the same thing ... but then I brushed it off ;) Meestro - I have to agree with your best neighborhood picks! The first house I looked at was near Garces, if the back yard hadn't been so tiny I would have bought that one - but then I wouldn't be in Oleander now :) Comment From: BOLTAR828

HEY GIRL THAT EREA IS GREAT .GOING TO BHS,I OFTEN WALKED THAT STREET SOUL SEARCHING .THANKS FOR THE STORY KINDRA. Comment From: Mystrish

The neighborhood is wonderful. I remember the sound of my heels on the street the night I left your candle party. Leaving the scent of mocha candles and walking into the cool night air with the sounds of leaves bristling. Yes, it is a wonderful neighborhood. Comment From: gbriano

My dream is to own a place on Oleander for reasons you've expounded on. Good blog. I'm jealous.