The 1952 earthquakes were the first to be observed well within Kern County lines . Other strong , but remote events were previously felt in the area , but they were distant enough to cause only occasional destructive effects . The county is bounded on the western side by the Temblor Range which is adjacent to the southern San Andreas Fault . Other large events have affected the area as well , like the January 1857 Fort Tejon earthquake that severely affected Fort Tejon ( about south of Wheeler Ridge )
1857 Fort Tejon earthquake
1857 Fort Tejon earthquake
1952 Kern County earthquake