Southern San Joaquin Valley Information Center

The Southern San Joaquin Valley Information Center (SSJVIC) is one of eight Information Centers within the California Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS). The CHRIS works in conjunction with the California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) and under the direction of the State Historical Resources Commission (SHRC).

The Information Centers are non-profit organizations, each serving a specific geographic area within the State of California. The SSJVIC is the primary repository for resource records and study reports for the 6 counties of Southern San Joaquin Valley and Eastern Central California (Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, & Tulare).

The purpose of the center is...

to manage historical resources records, reports, and maps.
to supply historical resources information to the private and public sector (see Access Policy page for restrictions).
to provide educational support and information about historical resources in California to the general public.

Located at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB), the center currently houses approximately 55,000 cultural resource records documenting historical and archaeological sites and approximately 14,000 study reports.

Utilizing this information, record searches conducted to meet the requirements of state and federal law play a critical role in the long-term protection of cultural resources across Southern and Eastern Central California. In addition, the SSJVIC serves as an integral part of the local and regional communities, maintaining student internship and public outreach programs, working with Native American tribes, and local city and county governments.

Latest News

SSJVIC Holiday Closures (10-27-25)

The SSJVIC will be closed Nov. 11, Nov. 24 - Nov. 28, and Dec. 22 - Jan. 2. Please plan your projects accordingly.

Inyo County Data Transfer Update (11-1-24)

The SSJVIC will receive Inyo County data in early November 2024. The SSJVIC anticipates being able to start responding to record search requests beginning on Dec. 2, 2024. We are now accepting record search requests and submissions of new resource records / reports.

SSJVIC Holiday Closures (11-1-24)

The SSJVIC will be closed Nov. 11, Nov. 25 - Nov. 29, and Dec. 24 - Jan. 3. Please plan your projects accordingly.

Eastern Information Center Closure (7-1-24)

The Eastern Information Center is closed for operation after 6-28-24. Inyo County records are slated to move to the SSJVIC. For more information and a timeline for data transfer, please contact the CHRIS Coordinator, Mike McGuirt, at OHP.