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53-497: From the diversion, the canal travels west, around industrial development before turning southwest. After crossing Rosedale Highway ( SR 58 ), the canal makes a 120 degree turn, traveling northwest. It again crosses Rosedale Highway and then crosses the Friant-Kern Canal . The two canals run parallel to each other, traveling northwest. Although the canals run about 100 feet (30 m) apart, water flows in opposite directions. While

106-588: A Caucasian background. The name of the committee in charge of the meeting was the Local Assessment Committee (LAC), which was formed in accordance with a law passed by California in the 1980s known as the Tanner Act. The law attempted to give county residents a say in the environmental occurrences and developments in their area. The LAC consisted of seven members, all of which met to discuss events and proposals such as those of Laidlaw Environmental. Despite

159-487: A company then known as Laidlaw Environmental, which subsequently became Safety-Kleen and was later purchased in 2012 by Clean Harbors , lies eight miles (13 km) west of the community. It was created in the 1970s, without the notification of any of the county's residents. Furthermore, Highway 58 , a busy road through the community, was used as the main route for trucks from the facility to transport toxic loads. At times, as many as 200 trucks per day could travel around

212-399: A correction or change, and T indicates postmiles classified as temporary ( for a full list of prefixes, see California postmile § Official postmile definitions ). Segments that remain unconstructed or have been relinquished to local control may be omitted. The numbers reset at county lines; the start and end postmiles in each county are given in the county column. Exits on

265-510: A debate with the county about Spanish translation. A local community group, known as Padres Hacia una Vida Mejor, worked for these particular rights. Furthermore, the translation issue seemed to create a division among the county's residents. For example, in their efforts to institute Spanish translation of the EIR and public hearings, the Latino residents isolated themselves from the black and white people in

318-440: A few miles north of San Luis Obispo , SR 58 heads east along the former US 101 (El Camino Real) for one mile. SR 58 then heads east and up the winding mountain road, passing through a thinly populated area and an intersection with SR 229 . Alternatives such as SR 46 to the north or SR 166 to the south are recommended, as much of this section of SR 58 is prohibited to truck traffic. However, this section of SR 58 does pass through

371-519: A median income of $ 19,514 versus $ 16,974 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $ 9,424. About 23.1% of families and 28.7% of the population were below the poverty line , including 35.4% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over. Buttonwillow, California, is the host to one of California's two active hazardous waste landfills: the Lokern Facility. The facility, owned and operated by

424-781: A scenic highway by the California Department of Transportation . SR 58 has several names throughout its length, including the Blue Star Memorial Highway (for its entire length); the Kern County Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, for the section from SR 184 to the Kern County/San Bernardino County Line; and the Rosa Parks Highway, for the section between SR 99 and SR 184. The Korean War Veterans name honors

477-471: A toxic waste incinerator, which would burn up to 108,000 short tons (216,000,000 lb; 98,000,000 kg) of toxic waste each year. The development and construction of the incinerator was never "green-lit" as a project for the facility. Then in 1992, the birth and death of a child with a physical defect— anencephaly —stirred suspicion from several residents. The tragedy created a bond between these residents, and they began to look to Laidlaw Environmental and

530-458: Is California's segment of Interstate 40 ; previous to 1964 it was a segment of US 66 . Prior to 1964, the segment of State Route 58 between Bakersfield and Barstow was signed U.S. Route 466 . Also at that time, the segment of SR 58 between State Route 33 at McKittrick and State Route 99 in Bakersfield was signed as State Route 178 . Although it was proposed for signing as Route 178 in 1934,

583-569: Is a business route of California State Route 58 in Mojave . It provides access to downtown Mojave as Mojave-Barstow Highway . It also follows mostly the former routing of U.S. Route 466 . The entire route is in Kern County . State Route 58 Business ( SR 58 Bus. ) is a business route of California State Route 58 in Boron . It provides access to downtown Boron as Twenty Mule Team Road . It also follows

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636-978: Is a major east-west state highway in the U.S. state of California that runs across the Coast Ranges , the southern San Joaquin Valley , the Tehachapi Mountains , which border the southern Sierra Nevada , and the Mojave Desert . It runs between U.S. Route 101 near Santa Margarita and Interstate 15 in Barstow . It has junctions with Interstate 5 near Buttonwillow , State Route 99 in Bakersfield , State Route 202 in Tehachapi , State Route 14 near Mojave , and U.S. Route 395 at Kramer Junction. SR 58 also provides access to Edwards Air Force Base . At various points it

689-584: Is a part of a major north–south transmission corridor. It marks the northern end of Path 26 across the Transverse Ranges and the southern end of the Path 15 power lines . Buttonwillow is the motel hub for members of the Sports Car Club of America 's Cal Club region when they hold events at Cal Club-owned Buttonwillow Raceway Park . Several motels are located there as well. The town is also known for hosting

742-524: Is known as the Calf Canyon Highway , Carrisa Highway , Bakersfield-McKittrick Highway , Rosa Parks Highway , Westside Parkway , Barstow-Bakersfield Highway , Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway , Kern County Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway , and Mojave-Barstow Highway . State Route 58 between Santa Margarita and Buttonwillow is a winding mountain road through a thinly populated area. From its westernmost terminus at US 101 near Santa Margarita ,

795-460: Is now known as the Buttonwillow Tree. California Historical Landmark reads: The first United States Post Office at Buttonwillow was established in 1895. Buttonwillow is a major stop for motorists traveling on Interstate 5 . It includes gas stations, restaurants and travel centers. These are all at the exit of State Route 58 . There is a large electrical substation next to the town that

848-445: Is planned to be transferred to city control. Future plans are to upgrade Stockdale Highway from I-5 to Heath Road as a freeway. Except where prefixed with a letter, postmiles were measured on the road as it was in 1964 , based on the alignment that existed at the time, and do not necessarily reflect current mileage. R reflects a realignment in the route since then, M indicates a second realignment, L refers to an overlap due to

901-532: Is the enormous Elk Hills Oil Field , formerly the Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 1, which figured prominently in the Teapot Dome scandal that tarnished the administration of President Warren G. Harding . Occidental Petroleum bought the reserve from the U.S. Department of Energy in 1998, and is the current primary operator of the oil field. Buttonwillow has a cold desert climate ( BWk ) typical of

954-589: The Carrizo Plain , which is known for its scenic beauty and geological features, including the San Andreas Fault . SR 58 then takes another winding road before joining with State Route 33 in the small town of McKittrick . SR 33 then splits at the north end of McKittrick before SR 58 then enters another, but brief winding road. SR 58 then proceeds northeast for several miles before changing to an east-west alignment and reaching Buttonwillow . SR 58 then joins with

1007-558: The San Joaquin Valley , in Kern County, California . Buttonwillow is 26 miles (42 km) west of Bakersfield , at an elevation of 269 feet (82 m)). The population was 1,508 at the 2010 census, up from 1,266 at the 2000 census. The center of population of California is located in Buttonwillow. The town was originally called Buena Vista when it was founded in 1895, but the name quickly became Buttonwillow. Buttonwillow

1060-598: The Tehachapi city limits and traverses the Tehachapi Pass before dropping out of the Tehachapi Mountains into the Antelope Valley at the town of Mojave . Freeway conditions continue from State Route 14 east of Mojave bypassing North Edwards , Edwards Air Force Base , Boron , and Kramer Junction. Approximately 10 miles (16 km) east of an interchange with U.S. Route 395 , SR 58 resumes expressway status with two lanes in each direction until just before reaching

1113-644: The Best in the West jet rally, an annual gathering of model jet enthusiasts. Buttonwillow's main industry is cotton farming. According to the United States Census Bureau , Buttonwillow has an area of 6.9 square miles (18 km ), all of it land. Buttonwillow is also locally known as the cotton country, due to the abundant planting of cotton in the vicinity. Beginning about four miles (6.4 km) south of town along Elk Hills Road, between Buttonwillow and Taft ,

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1166-532: The CDP was 34.28% White, 3.79% Black or African American, 1.66% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 55.06% from other races, and 5.13% from two or more races. 68.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 328 households 56.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.6% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.4% were non-families. 15.2% of households were one person and 7.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size

1219-525: The Calloway Canal is flowing northwest, the Friant-Kern Canal is flowing southeast. At Snow Road, the distance between the canals increases, although the two still run roughly parallel. The Calloway Canal terminates at reservoirs near McFarland. The construction of the Calloway Canal led to the water war between Henry Miller / Charles Lux and James Haggin/Lloyd Tevis (see Lux_v._Haggin ). The result

1272-556: The I-40 interchange in c.  2000 . The former eastern terminus is now known as "Old Highway 58". Freeway bypasses in Tehachapi, Boron, Mojave, Hinkley, and Kramer Junction were completed in c.  1975 , 1981, 2003, 2017, and 2020, respectively. In western Bakersfield, the Westside Parkway , a freeway running from Stockdale Highway (near Heath Road) east to Truxtun Avenue,

1325-470: The Westside Parkway segment are currently unnumbered. State Route 58 Business ( SR 58 Bus. ) is a business route of California State Route 58 in Tehachapi . It provides access to downtown Tehachapi as Tehachapi Boulevard . It also follows the former routing of U.S. Route 466 and is overlapped with State Route 202 . The entire route is in Kern County . State Route 58 Business ( SR 58 Bus. )

1378-456: The apparent effort, the rules and regulations of the LAC were not fairly implemented. Even though LAC meetings were held in Buttonwillow, there were no residents from Buttonwillow on the committee. Furthermore, no members were of a Latino descent, although nearly all of Buttonwillow's residents belonged to this demographic group. While many Buttonwillow residents attempted to participate in meetings, there

1431-491: The approximately 8,120 veterans from Kern County, while the section named for Rosa Parks honors the civil rights activist. The portion of SR 58 from Barstow to Bakersfield is sometimes referred to as the Barstow–Bakersfield Highway. State Route 58 did not exist as a California sign route until 1964, although previous to 1964, it was part of California Legislative Route 58. The other part of Legislative Route 58

1484-421: The area where spills are generally located. If intermodal facilities and transfer points are considered origins, Laidlaw Environmental would qualify. Furthermore, the hundreds of trucks that transport toxic loads travel in and out of the community every day. Given the results of Schweitzer's study, the residents of nearby communities (Buttonwillow, especially) are at the highest risk of experiencing side effects from

1537-407: The community in a defined traffic route that does not permit trucks through the town. HISTORICAL BUT NOT CONFIRMED NOR VERIFIED: According to a study performed by Lisa Schweitzer, “transport spills [from toxic waste transporters, such as trucks] generally cluster near origins more than destinations." In the study, Schweitzer observed the amount of toxic waste that is spilled during transportation and

1590-462: The community. Many English-speaking residents did not support the translation and felt that speaking English was key if Latinos “wanted to live in [their] country”. Because of these divisions, a racial streak emerged in the community, further dividing the community and decreasing the strength of their resistance. The struggles of the Buttonwillow community still persist, and even as the residents make progress, they also face additional setbacks. Many of

1643-586: The connection, specifically, the northbound SR 99 to westbound SR 58 transition ramp, with an estimated 8 months of construction left. Meanwhile, Caltrans began installing signage rerouting SR 58 traffic from I-5 onto Stockdale Highway and the Westside Parkway east to at least Mohawk Street. The Centennial Corridor was inaugurated on February 9, 2024, with a ceremonial bicycle ride, and officially opened to traffic on February 17, 2024, with some connections between SR 58 and SR 99 remaining closed. The rest of SR 58 on Rosedale Highway between Mohawk Street and SR 99

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1696-403: The decisions were made based upon race rather than qualification. In fact, a white applicant was chosen over a Latino, even though this applicant had failed to submit their application. Because of the tension, the LAC decided to appoint a Latino member, Eduardo Montoya. After the application process, the LAC was told that it had ten weeks to convene and discuss the upcoming December hearing about

1749-502: The dump's capacity, making it one of the largest in the United States. Furthermore, it wanted to change the types of chemicals it took from strictly petroleum waste to more than 450 different types of substances, many of which were highly hazardous. According to Juanita Fernandez, a resident of Buttonwillow, those in attendance at the community meeting which discussed the proposed acts appeared to be businessmen and women who were mostly of

1802-496: The easternmost terminus at Interstate 15 in Barstow . With the lack of four-lane or greater, divided highways that cross the Sierra Nevada between SR 58 at the Tehachapi Pass and Interstate 80 at Donner Summit about hundreds of miles to the north, I-5 and SR 58 are used by motorists to travel between Northern California and points to the southeast, such as Las Vegas (via I-15) and Interstate 40 , without having to face

1855-688: The extreme traffic congestion of greater Los Angeles . SR 58 is part of the California Freeway and Expressway System , and east of I-5 is part of the National Highway System , a network of highways that are considered essential to the country's economy, defense, and mobility by the Federal Highway Administration . SR 58 is eligible for the State Scenic Highway System , but it is not officially designated as

1908-465: The former routing of U.S. Route 466 . It is signed from SR 58 at Borax Road to the old SR 58 split near the San Bernardino – Kern county line (where the old SR 58 now dead ends ). From here to US 395, following the old alignment of SR 58 (and US 466), the business route is unsigned. Buttonwillow, California Buttonwillow is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in

1961-515: The hearing and the Board of Supervisors disbanded the LAC. Montoya said that “the Board knew beforehand they would approve the dump” and that “they were just going through the motions”. A major divider in the struggle of Buttonwillow against Laidlaw Environmental was the issue of race. While the LAC could have spent time gathering community support and increasing awareness about the toxins, the committee members were instead battling racial discrimination and

2014-589: The north-south Interstate 5 (I-5) for a few miles to Stockdale Highway, where it resumes heading east and intersects with State Route 43 before reaching Bakersfield. In Bakersfield, the route follows the Westside Parkway to reach State Route 99 at the West Bakersfield Interchange . East of SR 99, SR 58 briefly enters expressway status with two at-grade intersections in the Caliente area before resuming freeway status east of Caliente. SR 58 then reaches

2067-559: The occupied units 184 (48.5%) were owner-occupied and 195 (51.5%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.4%. 699 people (46.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 809 people (53.6%) lived in rental housing units. At the 2000 census there were 1,266 people, 328 households, and 270 families in the CDP. The population density was 181.7 inhabitants per square mile (70.2/km ). There were 364 housing units at an average density of 52.2 per square mile (20.2/km ). The racial makeup of

2120-525: The proposed expansion of Laidlaw Environmental. In this short amount of time, the LAC battled not with Laidlaw Environmental, but rather with the county. It appeared to many as if the county would not let the committee run their own meetings. The committee wanted control—the ability to set their own agenda and hire outside consultants. However, the county did not want to grant this authority to the LAC. Ten weeks later, in December, Laidlaw Environmental proceeded with

2173-485: The segment of Legislative Route 58 between US 101 near Santa Margarita and State Route 33 at McKittrick was not signed prior to 1964. Note that US 466 was co-signed with US 99 , now State Route 99, between Bakersfield and Famoso Junction . Between Famoso and US 101 at Paso Robles, US 466 largely became SR 46. The eastern terminus was originally at I-15 in northeastern Barstow. SR 58 was rerouted to I-15 in Barstow south of

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2226-619: The southern part of California's Central Valley with hot, dry summers and cool winters. At the 2010 census Buttonwillow had a population of 1,508. The population density was 217.7 inhabitants per square mile (84.1/km ). The racial makeup of Buttonwillow was 534 (35.4%) White, 36 (2.4%) African American, 11 (0.7%) Native American, 10 (0.7%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 890 (59.0%) from other races, and 27 (1.8%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1,183 persons (78.4%). The whole population lived in households, no one lived in non-institutionalized group quarters and no one

2279-421: The spills. Generally, spills occur as a result of human error, in which the load was packaged incorrectly or the driver experienced a vehicle accident or some other force which allowed for the leaking of toxins. It was nearly ten years before the residents of Buttonwillow became aware of the facility. Even then, residents felt as if they could do nothing to stop it. In 1988, Laidlaw Environmental proposed to build

2332-453: The toxins that it released as the root of the issue. No health study or data collection has ever been performed and/or produced to confirm a direct correlation between the activities taking place at the facility and the health of any residents in Buttonwillow or the surrounding areas. Also in 1992, Laidlaw Environmental proposed an expansion of its facility in Kern County. It wanted to double

2385-480: The two-year span, a draft and final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was designed for Laidlaw Environmental. The EIR , required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), “examines the potential environmental impacts of many projects such as toxic waste dumps”. In addition, speculation surrounded the decisions that were made in appointing new committee members. Many people believed

2438-421: Was 3.81 and the average family size was 4.25. The age distribution was 38.0% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 13.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% 65 or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.6 males. The median household income was $ 28,370 and the median family income was $ 29,716. Males had

2491-571: Was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.98. There were 320 families (84.4% of households); the average family size was 4.30. The age distribution was 561 people (37.2%) under the age of 18, 162 people (10.7%) aged 18 to 24, 428 people (28.4%) aged 25 to 44, 265 people (17.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 92 people (6.1%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 26.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 110.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.9 males. There were 406 housing units at an average density of 58.6 per square mile, of

2544-489: Was completed on April 15, 2015, with interchanges in between at Allen Road, Calloway Drive, Coffee Road, and Mohawk Street. Opening in stages since 2013, the road was originally under the jurisdiction of the city of Bakersfield. As part of the Centennial Corridor project, Caltrans built an extension of the Westside Parkway east to the junction of SR 58 and SR 99 at the West Bakersfield Interchange . Although construction

2597-455: Was controversial since it displaced dozens of homes and businesses, by September 2017, all but a few buildings in the path had been demolished. On February 5, 2021, the city transferred the Westside Parkway to Caltrans and California Highway Patrol jurisdiction. City officials then announced in October 2022 that the project was nearly complete, and that they were working on the last 800 feet of

2650-493: Was institutionalized. There were 379 households, 225 (59.4%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 217 (57.3%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 64 (16.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, 39 (10.3%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 36 (9.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships , and 1 (0.3%) same-sex married couples or partnerships . 46 households (12.1%) were one person and 29 (7.7%) had someone living alone who

2703-425: Was named for the buttonbush ( Cephalanthus occidentalis ) . A lone buttonbush served as a landmark on an old trans-valley trail and was used by ancient Yokuts Indian as a meeting place, later becoming the site of settlers' stock rodeos. The Miller & Lux holdings company eventually established a headquarters and store near the tree. This tree is listed as California Historical Landmark No. 492. This landmark

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2756-460: Was no one in attendance who was willing to translate for Spanish speakers. Because the majority of Buttonwillow residents predominantly spoke Spanish, their presence at the meetings had little influence. Finally, in June 1992, a Spanish translator was provided at the meetings. One month later, the Local Assessment Committee was suspended indefinitely. In September 1994, the committee was reinstated. During

2809-488: Was the Haggin-Miller Water Agreement of 1888, in which a certain percentage of Kern River water was guaranteed to Miller/Lux. 35°30′51″N 119°14′27″W  /  35.51417°N 119.24083°W  / 35.51417; -119.24083 This Kern County, California -related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . California State Route 58 State Route 58 ( SR 58 )

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