by 1892, sumner, which was now known as kern city, would incorporate into a city. the city of bakersfield had disincorporated (or dissolved as a city) in 1876, but voted to reincorporate in 1898, and became a city again. that same year, bakersfield finally became its own whistle-stop with the building of the san francisco and san joaquin railroad, which was later bought by santa fe.