Weedpatch Camp
Also known as: Arvin Federal Camp; Sunset Labor Camp
Why it's listed
Weedpatch Camp, near Bakersfield in Kern County, California, was a federal camp for migrant farm workers during the Great Depression. Three modest one-story buildings from 1935 survive: a post office, a community hall and a library, all built by the Works Progress Administration. They stand in a fenced area near the main gate of what is now the Sunset Labor Camp, while newer frame buildings occupy the old tent pads. The camp was one of 28 set up in California by the Farm Security Administration as an alternative to unsanitary private camps and roadside squatter settlements. It offered clean housing, laundry facilities, a clinic, schooling and recreation, and residents helped govern themselves. Many came from Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Missouri, bringing their music, food and religious traditions. The camp is also linked to John Steinbeck, who gathered material nearby, and parts of the film The Grapes of Wrath were reportedly shot there. The buildings were recognized for this social and agricultural history between 1936 and 1946.
Significance in brief: It is significant for its Depression-era link to the Farm Security Administration's efforts to house and aid migrant farm workers, many displaced by the Dust Bowl. It was one of 28 federal camps in California, offering clean housing, health care, schooling and laundry facilities. The migrants who lived there brought their religious culture, music, language and food to California, and the camp is tied to John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 95001554, listed January 22, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 8305 Sunset Blvd., Bakersfield |
|---|---|
| County | Kern County |
| Listed | January 22, 1996 |
| Reference number | 95001554 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1936-1946 |
| Architect / builder | Works Progress Administration |
| Architectural style | No style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Politics/Government, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current function is listed as vacant/not in use; the three historic buildings sit in a fenced area with some deterioration, and the Kern County Housing Authority planned to restore them. The camp still houses migrant workers seasonally. |
| Coordinates | 35.22306, -118.90653 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 95001554.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7979360
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.