in 1874, the southern pacific railroad was extended to the southern san joaquin valley. bakersfield was positioned to be a whistle-stop, but a land dispute developed between the city and the railroad. southern pacific wanted two blocks of land from the city; bakersfield was only willing to give one block. the result of the dispute was southern pacific building its tracks five miles east of bakersfield and founding their own town. this town was called sumner in honor of joseph w. sumner, mine owner and judge. it would eventually become east bakersfield.