Kern-Los Angeles County CA Archives Obituaries.....Derkum, Paul J.C. April 17, 1958
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Mathew Grant bitterwatercowboy@yahoo.com May 16, 2010, 8:41 pm

April 17, 1958 Bakersfield Californian
Paul Derkum, 78, Dies;  Early Auto Racing Figure
Paul Derkum, 78, one of Kern County's best-known sportsmen and one-time world 
champion motorcycle rider, died early today at his home at 2411 Cedar St., 
following a long illness. Mr. Derkum, who was born July 2, 1881 at Hamilton, 
O., attended both public and private schools in Los Angeles including St. 
Vincent's College, now known as Loyola University. In his youth he was a 
champion bicycle rider and rode professionally in national races from 1898 to 
1902. He was connected with the Southern Pacific Railroad Co. from 1904 to 
1914, but during those years his avocation was motorcycle racing. He held the 
California , United States and World Championships in motorcycle riding and 
was the second American to compete on foreign soil in motorcycle races. In 
1913 he helped organize the Kern County Fair Association and became manager 
serving through 1924. In 1925 he leased and rebuilt the Kern County 
Fairgrounds and built the fastest mile race track in the nation. He promoted 
auto races and such famous racers as Ralph De Palma and Frank Lockhart broke 
world speed records on the track. Barney Oldfield, his personal friend, was 
one of the sports notables who acted as flagman for the famous races.
Service Station
Derkum had the first drive-in service station in Kern County, and he also 
operated a tire business in the early days.. He also was the operator of the 
stage line from Kern County to Santa Maria and from Los Angeles to Wheeler Hot 
Springs. He later engaged in the mercantile business, which he carried on from 
1933 until 1940, and during his later years he was a distributor in the 
beverage industry. 
Exchange Club
He helped organize the Bakersfield Exchange Club and assisted in re-organizing 
it in 1939. Several years ago, he was honored by fellow Exchangeites when his 
name was inscribed in the club's Book of Golden Deeds and he was presented 
with a commemorative plaque. He served as the second president of the club in 
1924. In 1939 he was manager of the Kern County "Cotton Is King" festival and 
throughout the years he took an interest in promoting the interests of the 
community in which he lived. 
Fraternal Ties
He was a member of BPO Elks Lodge 99 of Los Angeles and Eagles Lodge 93; the 
Druids, and he was the only life member of the Los Angeles Motorcycle Club. 
He was affiliated with the League of American Wheelmen since 1888, and with 
the Wheelmen of the Past Century Club. He was also one of Bakersfield's early 
pilots. He made his home at 2411 Cedar St. He is survived by his widow, Emma. 
Funeral arrangements are pending at the Payne & Son funeral home.


Bakersfield, California


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