HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF THE UPPER MOJAVE DESERT
VOL. 13. NO. 9 November 17, 1998
TOM CHAPMAN TO HELP US SOLVE A MYSTERY ON NOV. 17
We're in for a special treat at our November meeting when Tom Chapman, a local collector of historically significant items, will give us a slide-illustrated presentation with an intriguing twist.
Tommy's topic will be an old structure long thought to be a fort that is located near Coso Village. He plans to give us clues to help us solve the mystery of what the building was really used for.
Although the "fort" has long been thought to be a cavalry outpost, Tommy says he has unearthed evidence that proves otherwise. He will show slides to illustrate his talk.
The meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the Sylvia Winslow Gallery of the Maturango Museum. Refreshments will be served, and the public is invited.
You may remember Tommy's popular program from last year, when he talked about the woodcutters of the Southern Inyos. Interesting items he has collected from the woodcutters' camps are on display in one of the Historical Society cases in the vestibule of the museum.
An avid accumulator of items of local significance, Tommy also has extensive collections of early Auto Club road signs and bottles, both milk bottles and other types.
Liz Babcock
COME TO THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION 1998
If you enjoy really delicious food, companionship of friendly people, singing traditional Holiday songs, and are prone to having fun "under just the right circumstances," then mark your calendar for Friday, December 11. 6:30 PM. The Historical Society's Christmas Party at the Maturango Museum is a guaranteed enhancer of the Christmas spirit.
We again will have a potluck dinner - and why not ? We have some of the best cooks and non-cooks in the Valley! The former (That's most of you) are requested to bring a main dish, vegetable, or salad to serve 12. The latter are encouraged to feel a part of the proceedings by bringing simple hors d'oeuvres, relishes, bakery rolls, or desserts. Now, to be certain that every square inch of the serving tables is filled, anyone who wishes to prepare a dessert in addition to his or her other dish will be doubly appreciated!
What other good things are planned for the evening? You'll have to wait and see. All members of the Museum are invited to join us in this special festivity. Charlotte Goodson
RE HISTORY AND COLLECTIONS
The following were received by the Society from various donors:
"Men, Medicine & Water" from Dick Moe; lst Balloon Festival Post Office
stamp from Diane Thomas; large collection of local articles and news clips,
magazines, grocery bags, club notes Suzanne Esch Fountain, 400 photo prints
from Larry & Bette Fox from the 50's. The '84 flood, Drummond letters from
John Di Pol.
Commemorative President Kennedy coin on his visit at NOTS from Liz Babcock.
Historical Calendar.
Now available from CEO Lou (it calls me that in the by-laws!) are a limited number of a very pictorial calendar put together by the Kern County Genealogical Society. Most of the photographs are from the late 1800's.
Your society, the Indian Wells Valley Genealogical Society, and the Maturango Museum jointly sponsored the Coyote Holes page for the month of February. Each month has a historic scene from different Kern County cities or places including Randsburg and Mojave.
Ever heard of the town of Moron or Boust City? Like Crumville relates to Ridgecrest these all but forgotten names were the beginnings for very well known Kern County cities. When hung, the calendar size is 17 inches high by 16 inches wide. Cost is $7.00 including tax. 375-7385
The Bureau Of Land Management has assigned archaeologist Margaret Hangan to prepare the scads of background data necessary that will lead to nominating the Bullion Road as a State Historic Trail. Your society's mission at this time is to obtain oral history from those who had traveled the Midland Trail before it was paved and known as Highway 6. Before it became the Midland Trail through our region of the Mojave, a significant portion was the stage and wagon road now being called the Bullion Road. Any leads as to candidates for interview would be most helpful.
Once again WACOM has designated us as one of the recipients of their generosity. The money to be received this year will be earmarked for future computer equipment.
Speaking of money--This year's Maturango Junction effort resulted in a profit of about $220. Food net sales were considerably lower due to the cost of those items. Many thanks to those volunteers who made it possible.
Lou Pracchia.
MATURANGO JUNCTION REVISITED
The day was absolutely beautiful. The park was filled with booths, activities, and people having a wonderful time. Our "Early Settlers," Hank Schuette and Lois Carr, drew many people over to the cabin for talk of years past, viewing of historical pictures displayed by Hank, and purchase of our books and video, as well as becoming new members of the Historical Society. The cabin itself was raised by Josh Albertson, Bruce Wertenberger, Lou Pracchia, Harold Platzek, Dick Moe, and Fred Weals. That same team of hard workers dismantled and packed away for future use all components of our presence at the Junction. Although homemade cookies were disallowed by the county health department this year, we still were able to minister to people's desires for snacks with offerings of Tehachapi apples, cheese sticks, and "Grandma's Cookies." Service with many a smile and unfailing good cheer was provided by Jenny Miller, Eileen Dietz, Dot Gould, Vivian Van Devender, Dee DiPol, Arlee Lakin, Gerry Pracchia, Charlotte Goodson, and Barbara Hall. Thanks to all of the above. The event was well worth attending, most especially the site of the Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert! It was the happening place!! Charlotte Goodson
LOCAL HISTORY - AS TOLD BY THOSE WHO LIVED IT
As the Holiday season approaches, we wish to call to everyone's attention the Historical Society's several publications and video. For both your own pleasure and information, as well as gifts to friends or relatives, we encourage you to consider any of these. The video and books are available for purchase at our monthly meetings, through Charlotte Goodson, Lou Pracchia, & Dick Moe, and at the Maturango Museum daily from 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Following are brief descriptions and prices:
SAND CANYON STATION - A 37 -minute video created by Mark Pahuta of local history about the first aqueduct's construction; the coming of the railroad; development of the town of Brown; homesteading in IWV; first hand accounts of 1930s and 1940s family life in Sand Canyon, as told by the children of aqueduct patrolmen; two great floods and an earthquake. the video features historic aqueduct footage, rare family photos, original photography, and personal reminiscences of Litha Crowell Mattis, Bob Ramsey, Lois Ramsey Carr, and Henry F. Schuette. Available at $19.95 plus tax.
ZIG-ZAG POST OFFICE and ITS NEIGHBORS, 1885 to 1971 by Jane Thomann,
postmaster of the Little Lake Post Office in the 1970s. The book contains photographs and vignettes of early settler families in the Little Lake and surrounding area. $14.95 plus tax.
HOW IT WAS - SOME MEMORIES BY EARLY SETTLERS of the INDIAN WELLS VALLEY AND VICINITY.
Five different accounts are included of life in the desert and the nearby Sierra Nevada. $4.95 plus tax.
INDIAN WELLS VALLEY STAGE AND FREIGHT STOPS, 1874-1906.
Comments by Lou Pracchia. Included in this publication are photographs and historic information about the Native American trails along the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada and their use and development into routes for transport of bullion and people in the last quarter of the 19th century. $4.95 plus tax.
NEW MEMBERS
The Society welcomes the following new members: Jack Cowles, John Faron,
Jan Lawson and Barbara Padgett, and a renewal from H. S. Barsam of Fresno.
ANNUAL DUES SOON DUE
Annual Society dues of $10 may be paid any time soon. Bring your dues to a meeting or mail to Fred Weals, Treasurer, HSUMD, c/o Maturango Museum, 100 E. Las Flores, Ridgecrest, CA 93555. The family dues are $10.00.
DIRECTORS
Lou Pracchia, President - 375-7385 e-mail: ldpracc@ridgecrest.ca.us
Liz Babcock, Dir. Exhibits & P.R.- 375-7900 e-mail: lizbab@ndti.net
Charlotte Goodson, Vice President, Dir. Programs - 375-6449
Dot Gould, Dir. History & Coll. - 377-4117 e-mail: dgould@ndti.net
Bruce Wertenberger, Secretary - 375-2369 e-mail: brucew@ndti.net
Dick Moe, Liaison to MM - 446-4382 e-mail: moeind@ndti.net
Fred Weals,Treasurer, Dir. Hosp. & Mbrshp. - 375-5249 e-mail: weals@ridgecrest.ca.us
John Faron, Director - 375-9516 e-mail: jfaron@ridgecrest.ca.us
Chet Creider, Bulletin Editor - 375-5725 e-mail: ccreider@ridgecrest.ca.us
HSUMD Web site: http://www.ridgecrest.ca.us/~matmus/Hist.html
webmistress Janet Westbrook 375-8371 e-mail: jwest@ridgecrest.ca.us
Annual dues are $10.00 for the calendar year.