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Sandy Newman was all over the last mystery spot; she got it quickly. She had photographed the tool impressions in the sidewalk years ago, so she knew right where to look. The location is in the sidewalk in front of Café 225. If you haven’t seen them go by and take a look. Good job Sandy, and thanks to Harvey Hosman for sharing this interesting sidewalk fossil exhibit with me years ago. By the way, J. M. Nelson was known as the “original sidewalk man” in Visalia. He did many sidewalks in the early 1900s. You can find his “signed” sidewalk work in several locations in Visalia.

Here’s A New One For You
For those of you who enjoy a little detective work, here’s one. This one stands out like a sore thumb. Nothing secretive at all about this building. Obviously we know the building name, but do you know where it is? Here are some clues:
1) If you add the numbers of the address together they total 11.
2) In 1914, the Visalia Dailey Times reported, “New Apartment House is Open to the Public.”
3) It is between two eating establishments.
4) The street it is on was once known as Cottonwood.
Good luck.


Ralph Moore
On Tuesday morning I received several sad emails announcing the passing of Visalia’s beloved Ralph Moore. Even though his passing was inevitable, it is hard to imagine Visalia without this gentle man. He was a very modest man, but it is difficult to imagine anyone more justified in boasting. He had done so much in his 102 years but I think for most people his shining accomplishment was his work with roses. Known throughout the world as the father of the miniature rose, he had created hundreds of new varieties. There is so much that can and should be said about this native Tulare County resident. Ralph’s Visalia roots run deep as he was related to the Reynolds family that settled here when the town first began. He is gone from our midst, but he left us with lots of remembrances of his passion and his life.


Caldwell Ave
For many years the road that is now Caldwell Ave was just a country road between Visalia and Tulare. In 1875, George and Matilda Caldwell lived and ranched in the area that is now the intersection of Caldwell and Mooney. For years that intersection was called “Caldwell Corner” and the street was named for this early pioneering couple.



Buggy Step To Be Restored
Just a few weeks ago, Jay Belt offered up the buggy step on Court St. at NW 1st as a mystery spot. It was a tough one and only a few of you got it. This relic of an earlier time is probably the only one remaining in Visalia. It would be a shame to let this one fall into total disrepair and crumble. Jay has agreed to lead an effort to get it restored. In doing so the buggy step will continue to be enjoyed by future generations of Visalians and visitors alike. We look forward seeing this wonderful piece of our history restored and enjoyed.


Visalia May Not Be the Oldest Town in the San Joaquin Valley Between Stockton and Los Angeles
Tulare County and Visalia historians have for at least a century, probably longer proclaimed that Visalia was the oldest town between Stockton and Los Angeles. When I have used this popular claim to fame, I refined it somewhat by saying that Visalia was the oldest existing San Joaquin Valley town between Stockton and Los Angeles. Now it “appears” there may be an older town. If this is true, all of us who proudly made the statement were wrong. But before admitting the possible mistake, there are a few more facts I need to check and I will report more on it later. Have you ever heard of French Camp?


Taylor’s Hotdogs – Yum! Yum!
A few days ago Terry Akers passed along that he had discovered some reviews on the internet of the historic Taylor’s Hotdog Stand. He suggested that if we go to Google, click on Google “Images” and type Historic Visalia, we will see many comments and reviews on Taylor’s Hotdog Stand and other historic Visalia photographs. Terry remembers going there as a young boy, but the hotdog stand was on the other corner at the time. Its original location was on the northwest corner of Encina and Center where the concrete pad can still be seen. It opened there in 1952 and moved to the northeast corner in 1984 when a new building was built. The original neon sign was kept and placed on the new building. The stand is still in the Taylor family and they are known for their special recipe chili dogs. Terry, thanks for reminding us of our famous hot dog stand.


Civil War Veteran Photos Surface
Pat Hanson was kind enough to share a photo of his great-grandfather who lived in Visalia for some time in the early 1900s. Edwin A. Brown, born in 1846 in England, was a veteran of the Civil War and a member of the local Visalia chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic. According to family lore, Edwin ran away from his home in England and traveled to Philadelphia where he used a fictitious name and enlisted in Company A, 15th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry. The portrait of Edwin shows him and his wife Emma and the other photo show the local members of the Grand Army of the Republic marching in a parade in Visalia. These photos are new ones, and thanks Pat for sharing them with us.


For many years buildings have used water tanks mounted on the roofs as a way to have water available for use in the case of fire. When Visalia’s Fox Theatre was completed in 1930 it was equipped with a 5,000 gallon water tank on the roof. That tank is still up there. (It sure doesn't look like a 5,000 gallon tank to me.) The William Fox organization boasted that the gravity pressure of the water from the tank could “shoot a stream of water over the top of the county courthouse.” That building is now gone but was about the height of the old Bank of America building at Church and Main Street (now Bank of the Sierra.) That’s some pressure! By the way, if you don’t have the two Visalia’s Fabulous Fox Theatre history books, the Fox is offering them at a great price of $20.00 for both books. Call either Lance or Paul at (559) 625-1369.


** After reading about the origin of the name of Bardo Lane or Bardo Street in the last Historic Happenings, Jim Drath shared that as a 10-year old boy (in about 1954), he worked for Mrs. Wiley caring for her 15 acres of walnuts near Bardo and Walnut avenues. His job was to take care of her irrigation system. For spending an entire Saturday there he would earn $4.00.

** Remember the name L. Guggenhime? It’s the name painted on the building wall near Willis and School streets. Guggenhime apparently had a fairly deep involvement in Tulare County, as I came across his name recently on a list of investors in the Mineral King mountain road project in the 1870s.

** The Historic Visalia Postcards collection is doing well with over 150 packs already sold. If you don’t have yours yet, you’d better hurry. There are some left, but at this pace they won’t last long. Remember they are a limited edition and very fine quality. Also remember that the proceeds of the sale go towards a new series of 8 postcards. You can contact me at histerry@comcast.net if you need a set and we can arrange to get one or more to you.


"Tom Patterson, a Fresno thug lately convicted of robbery, was brought to the Visalia Jail on Monday morning last for safe keeping, the jail at Fresno being in course of repair. Patterson is the toughest looking customer ever jailed here, and to insure finding him when wanted an Oregon boot was placed on him." From Visalia’s Tulare Co. Times, February 16, 1888

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Thanks for visiting Historic Happenings! If you are not on the email list yet, and would like to be notified via email when a new posting of this newsletter is made, please email, me, Terry Ommen at histerry@comcast.net. I will add you to the list.

The day after the Evers oak mystery spot was posted, Sandy Newman identified it as being at the Visalia Cemetery. But a short time later, she confessed to me she had consulted with Mr. Oak Tree – Alan George, and with his help she actually got it. Jane Nash got it also and remembered the Evers family who lived near the plaqued oak. Jane remembered Mr. Evers grew flowers and vegetables there and Bill Nash said their daughter Clara was his teacher. This mystery spot was a tough one and thanks to the few of you that got it.

Here's the New One For You

When J. M. Nelson Construction Co. of Visalia laid sidewalk, either he or one of his workers decided to leave 4 permanent hand tool impressions in the wet concrete. The tools are a hammer, screwdriver, adjustable wrench and pliers. Here are the clues to help you find the spot:
1) This concrete sidewalk area was poured probably in 1910s or 1920s.
2) This popular street that this impression is on was originally called Mill Street
3) The side of the street where this can be found is the same direction usually found at the bottom of a map.
4) This spot is in front of a building that once was a Chevrolet auto dealership.
Where is this mystery spot? Good luck!

Bardo Street runs north and south connecting Walnut and Paradise, and lies just a short distance west of Court Street. Native Visalian, Laudine Oliphant told me recently how the street got its name. In the 1950s much of the land near what is now Bardo and Walnut was open land owned by Mrs. Wiley Dixon. Dixon sold the 15-acre or so parcel for subdividing and in the course of that sale she acquired street naming rights. She named the brand new street Bardo Lane, which later became Bardo Street. Mrs. Dixon’s daughter’s name was Barbara and her 2nd husband’s daughter’s name was Doris. Combine the two and it became Bardo. Thanks Laudine, for sharing.

Vintage photographs transformed into collectible postcards and available now – VERY LIMITED SUPPLY There are hundreds if not thousands of old Visalia photographs that are locked away in private hands. Needless to say, only a select few people get to see and enjoy them. Bill Dillberg and I have undertaken a project to fix that. We have found Visalia photographs, and turned them into beautiful high quality collectible postcards. Patterned after old postcards, they measure 3 ½” x 5 ½” and have a historical description on the back. They were professionally printed and are available in very limited quantities. Collect them and/ or mail them. Each sealed pack contains the following postcards:
1) Index card showing a thumbnail of each postcard in the pack
2) Rare Camp Babbitt Band (circa 1864)
3) Ringling Bros. Circus Parade on Main Street (circa 1903)
4) Southern California Edison truck in 1945 floodwaters at Main and Court streets.
5) Tulare County Health Center building at 1549 W. Main Street (circa 1925)
6) Visalia Fire Department with hose cart (circa 1882)
7) Palace Hotel building containing Mixter’s Drug Store at Main and Court (circa 1938)
8) Visalia Public School (circa 1885)
It’s a great collection of rare old Visalia images in postcard format and available for $4.99 per pack, tax included. If you want the packs shipped, add $1.00 for the first pack and 50 cents for each pack thereafter or you can arrange for pickup. You will love everything about these postcards. One more thing, if you have a photograph that you would like to share, let me know and we can possibly make it into a postcard. Marian Cote did, and it is her Edison Co. photo included in this pack. Come on, join the pack! Questions please call me at (559) 901-3227 or email me at histerry@comcast.net

Tulare County History Reference Book Available—But Hurry!
In 1892 Thomas H. Thompson published the classic Official Historical Atlas Map of Tulare County. In this amazing volume can be found important historical facts and names pertaining to our history, but before now, there was no index, so finding specific pieces of information was difficult. Now thanks to the Sequoia Genealogical Society, we have a 298-page comprehensive index that is bound in gorgeous burgundy hard cover. Only 100 copies were printed. Most of them were pre-sold so only a very few copies are available for purchase. Joseph Vicenti did most if not all of the indexing and he is good. Darned good! Cost is $24.50 plus tax and shipping. Questions? Please call (559) 685-2342 or email tuleroots@sbcglobal.net

Chimney Pot—No, Not Chamber Pot
Recently, Ann Shaw, an HH subscriber and antique expert, explained the term “chimney pot” to me. She showed me a clay one that she had in her backyard and explained that at least one Victorian era house in Visalia had one mounted on the top of its chimney. And just as she said, the house she directed me to had a “crown” type chimney pot. The house is located on the southeast corner of Tulare and Court Street. For centuries, these chimney pots served two purposes. First, they helped the “draw” of the fireplace and secondly they became an attractive design element for the house. We need to see if Visalia has more. If you spot another one, please let me know. Ann, we appreciate the lesson on chimney pots and now we know “What That's All About.”

** The carriage or buggy step looks like it is going to be restored. It doesn’t appear as if it is going to be a big job, and is certainly going to be worth the effort. The step at the Deveraux Law Firm could be the only remaining one in Visalia.

** Peter Cowper shared that as a 16-year old in about October 1964, he was one of the first employees at the Visalia Fair Mall. He worked at Woolworth’s part time and therefore was not entitled to free meals. But manager “Nellie Buck” would have no part of that, and she would conveniently announce “mistake on the grill” and deliver the burger and fries to Peter. No wonder Woolworth’s went out of business!

** Kathy and Harvey Hosman shared some great historical treasures. Kathy had a nice collection of 1955 flood photographs with most marked with exact locations, and Harvey shared keepsakes from his past as a Visalia Times Delta newspaperman. Thanks guys!

** Rosemary, who lives at Whidbey Island, Washington, recently came to Visalia and placed a bronze plaque near the homesite of her great grandfather, John Holmes Huntley, an early pioneer of Visalia. She mounted the plaque on a granite stone by her favorite oak tree near Willow and Wind streets on the East side of town—a tree she played under as a child. She promises to share more about her famous great grandfather. Rosemary, thank you for making sure the memory of your great grandfather isn’t forgotten. I am looking forward to hearing more about him.


“Bobby Gray, nine years old, is whistling his way from Sacramento to New Mexico, and is stopping in Visalia over the weekend to demonstrate what a human mocking bird can do. Bobby whistled when six weeks old instead of crying…he specializes in bird calls and can give true-to-life imitations of any bird call. His whistling demonstration should have a appeal to Boy Scouts…” Visalia Times Delta, Saturday, February 9, 1935.

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Thanks for visiting Historic Happenings! If you are not on the email list yet, and would like to be notified via email when a new posting of this newsletter is made, please email, me, Terry Ommen at histerry@comcast.net. I will add you to the list.


Finally, Mystery Spot Identified!
Well, finally, we had a mystery spot that really was a “stumper.” It took a full week for someone to get it, and the winner is…. subscriber Harvey Hosman. He correctly identified the location of the so-called buggy or carriage step. J. M. and Peggy Bragg shortly thereafter came in with the right answer also. But only two of you got it. The concrete and brick relic is on the NW 1st Street curb at Court Street adjacent to the Deveraux Law Firm at 603 No. Court. It has some obvious damage, and go by and take a look. Very interesting. Even though it seems obvious that it is a buggy step, it sure would be nice to find proof that it actually was. A photo of it in use would be the “smoking gun.” Thanks Valerie Deveraux for letting us highlight your law firm and thanks Jay Belt for suggesting this as a mystery spot.

Now, Ready to Try A New Mystery Spot?
Where is this bronze/brass plaque? It has been hanging on this oak tree for a long time, so let’s see how observant you have been. Warning—this could prove to be more difficult the buggy step. Here are the clues:
1) It is on public property
2) Albert Evers is buried in the Visalia Cemetery
3) People are always resting under the shade of this old oak tree
4) Just a few feet away, water is being pumped from deep underground.
Good luck!



Life in 2009…Buried Deep in Concrete
The new Santa Fe overcrossing is being worked on right now, and when finished it will have 4 ornate corner pillars. Thanks to some good thinking on the part of Visalia City officials, time capsules will be placed in 2 of the pillars. One capsule will be scheduled for opening in 50 years, the other in 100. What do you think should be included in these capsules? What items do you think would help those future residents understand life in 2009 in Visalia. Call Nancy Loliva, Community Relations Manager at 713-4535 or email her at nloliva@ci.visalia.ca.us with your ideas. Deadline is September 10 and ask about the “sealing party” in October.


Remember Visalia Fair Mall?
This great old photograph is for everybody, but especially for Rudy. It shows the East side of the Visalia Fair Mall, now Visalia Mall. Sure has changed since the early 1963 about the time this photo was taken. Seems the only thing that stayed is See’s Candy.



Big Celebration
On Saturday, October 17, 2009, from 10:00am to 2:00pm there will be a party at Mooney Grove Park. The reason for the celebration? Well, first of all, the park is 100 years old and secondly, the new Museum of Farm Labor and Agriculture will be officially open. Park entrance fees will be waived for the event, so calendar it now. Also check this out—a chance to win $250.00 for the winner of the Mooney Grove Park Centennial Logo Art Contest. Contact Jed Chernabaeff at (559) 636-5000 for details. September 9, 2009 is the deadline! For all other birthday party details, contact Mila Magana at mmagana@co.tulare.ca.us



Photographs of Visalia Lawman and Wife Surface
Constable William English was an elected lawman in the 1890s in the Visalia Township. Very few (I know of only one) photographs exist of this lawman who by the way was present at Stone Corral to see the mortally wounded John Sontag, the victim of a posse ambush. Maureen Anderson, reference librarian in the Annie Mitchell History Room, contacted me some days ago and told me William English’s Great Grandson was in Visalia researching his Great Grandfather. I met with Jon Goodfellow and his wife Teresa and thanks to Jon, a nice photograph of his Great Grandfather William English and his wife Eda now exists locally. Thanks to this nice couple, who made the long trip to Visalia on a history search, it is because of them that our history was made more complete!




Assorted
{{}} A number of you responded to the request for auction item donations, and thanks to each of you. The Tulare County Historical Society will hold its annual BBQ/Auction on Saturday, September 26th at Mooney Grove Park. Proceeds from the BBQ and auction go to museum projects. More auction items are needed and welcomed. More information go to: http://www.tularecountyhistoricalsociety.org/
{{}} Thanks to all of you who shared memories of the historic Visalia Tea Garden and Estrada’s restaurants. It is very clear that both have left their mark on many people. I’d love to share some of your stories, but space is limited.
{{}} Terry Akers, an HH subscriber shared that when he was growing up in Visalia in the 1950s, Elmer’s Café was on Giddings Avenue across from the ballpark. About 60 years later, the Elmer’s building is still there having housed scores of restaurants with many different names over the years. Do you remember Elmer’s? Owner apparently came to Visalia from Texas or Oklahoma.



“Dogs—Our town is overrun with that most intolerable nuisance—a surplus of dog flesh. We are the friend of intelligent, respectable canines, but as for these ‘cures of low degree,’ we are decidedly down on them, and hope that some philanthropic individual will devise a speedy and effectual plan to abbreviate their sojourn with us.” Visalia Equal Rights Expositor, September 7, 1862 (About 6 months before the newspaper was destroyed by soldiers stationed in Visalia)

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Thanks for visiting Historic Happenings! If you are not on the email list yet, and would like to be notified via email when a new posting of this newsletter is made, please email me, Terry Ommen at histerry@comcast.net. I will add you to the list.


Mystery Spot Identified!

Congratulations go to Virginia Strawser for identifying the mystery spot and doing it so quickly! A handful of you got this one, but she was the first to solve it and did it in just 37 minutes. The tile segment was part of the front of the Visalia Tea Garden located at 325 E. Main. Liberally trimmed with tile, the Visalia Tea Garden could be Visalia’s longest continuously operating restaurant. I think it may deserve that distinction, what do you think? It was established in 1922. It would be a great project for historical research.



Visalians Visit Visalia—Visalia, Kentucky, That Is

Back in May of this year HH subscriber, Ann Shaw and her sister Cathy Drennen took a month long cross country road trip which included stops in Canada. On the trip they stopped in Visalia, Kentucky and made their presence known as best they could, but could find very little evidence of the town. The town of Visalia, Kentucky (the namesake for Visalia, California) is quickly disappearing with not much left to photograph. Although, Ann did say it was beautiful country. Here is one of their photographs of the Visalia Baptist Church that sets on a green rolling hill. On the same trip, Ann and Cathy stopped in a Canadian restaurant and to their surprise they looked on the wall and found the famous Mearle’s Drive-In lighted picture. The legendary drive-in restaurant had found its way to Canada!




We Need Help On This One!

Bill Allen would like reader help to see if anyone knows anything about this bell. His sister allegedly got it from a Visalia firefighter in the 1960s and as the story goes the firefighter picked it out of a pile of surplus fire equipment. The iron arm that you see was part of it and it is welded in a fixed position. I think the iron arm may have still been added later. The bell works great and the opening on it is about 6 ½” in diameter and from end to end the bell itself stands about 5” high. There are no markings on it at all and as you can see the iron brace is an unusual shape. Can anyone confirm this bell or a bell like it might have been connected to the Visalia Fire Dept in any way? The bell was used on Bill’s sister’s boat.



Santa Fe Railroad Sign Recovered!

Well, the old Santa Fe Railroad sign that was mounted on the railroad overpass for the past 47 years has been found. As you know, the old Santa Fe track over crossing has been removed to make way for a new vehicular bridge that is being constructed in its place. During the removal of the old bridge, the two mounted Santa Fe Railroad signs disappeared, but thanks to the efforts of John Bergman, railroad historian and local banker, and Fred Lampe, Associate City Engineer with the City of Visalia, at least one of the two signs has been found. Now the question is, what do we do with this 47-year old sign?




Estrada’s Restaurant Gone—But Its History Remains

Gilbert Gia, historian and president of the Kern County Historical Society, is related through marriage to Louisa Estrada—the key family member that made Estrada’s Restaurant a household name in Visalia. He recently completed a 10-page history of the Estrada family and the Estrada Restaurant which includes great family photographs. The picture shown here is Estrada’s Restaurant which was located at 414 W. Main Street but is now gone. Take a look at Gil Gia’s well-written Estrada article at http://www.gilbertgia.com/articlePages/persons1.html.html Thanks Gil for sharing your valuable research with our readers




New Mystery Spot: Step Up and Solve This One

Back in Visalia’s horse and buggy days, it is said that this partially broken concrete and brick structure helped buggy riders step up into their buggies more easily. This alleged “buggy step” as it is being called is in open view and thanks to HH subscriber Jay Belt for offering this interesting feature as our mystery spot. Here are the clues:
1) The building adjacent to this was built in 1911
2) The adjacent building once held “one man’s treasurers and another man’s junk.”
3) People often go here when something is broken.
4) If you add up the numbers of the street address it totals 9.
Good luck!



Assorted

{{}} The Tulare County Historical Society will be holding its annual BBQ and auction on Saturday, September 26th at Mooney Grove Park on the museum grounds. We’d love to have you join us and if by chance you would like to provide an item or two for our auction, we’d love to receive them. All proceeds go to museum improvement projects.
{{}} At the end of next month HH will be one year old. Watch for some new features to help celebrate the 1-year anniversary.
{{}} Don’t forget, if you have any interest in being part of the new docent program at the Museum of Farm Labor, contact Curator Kathy McGowan at 733-6616.

“No murders this week.” October 26, 1878 Tulare Weekly Times.

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Mystery Spot Identified—Wow, Was It Ever!

Within 21 minutes of the posting of the last Historic Happenings, the amazing Randy Groom identified the Veterans Memorial Building as the latest mystery spot. Four minutes later, Rita Gardner got it also. Then the floodgates opened up and many of you got it right. Congratulations to all of you.


Tulare County Agricultural Museum—New Docent Program Being Formed

The new ag museum at Mooney Grove Park is moving along nicely. The building will be completed in September, and Kathy McGowan, the curator is creating a volunteer docent program to work inside. She wants to talk to anyone who might be interested in getting involved with the Museum. What a ground floor opportunity! If you think you might want to be part of this exciting program, contact Kathy McGowan at kMcGowan@co.tulare.ca.us or call her at (559) 733-6616. By the way, this photo shows Brian Summers, Tulare County Building Projects Manager, holding a sample museum banner high up in the air inside the new building. This building is going to be very impressive.


Yokohl Valley –A New History Book Is Published

Scott Barker loves Yokohl Valley and we are lucky he does. He has compiled much of the history of this special place in his brand new book called Yokohl—A History of Its People and Their Culture. This is a very limited print book so don’t wait to long to get yours. Many references of course to Visalia are included. It retails for $24.99, but call Scott at (559) 539-1004 and he may offer you a better price, you never know. Valhalla’s in Visalia is carrying the book also.


Remember When? It Wasn’t That Long Ago

Rudy, one of our newer HH members was in a nostalgic mood and asked about photographs of more contemporary businesses and buildings that have undergone a change over the last few years. He specifically asked about the old Thrifty Drug store downtown at Locust and Main St (now Starbucks). Well, here it is Rudy, this is Thrifty as it appeared in 1970, almost 40 years ago. Sometimes we forget history doesn’t have to be ancient. Thanks for the reminder of that.


Speaking of a Flood of Photographs

Claudia Allred Ward, an HH member, sent me a number of great 1955 flood photos. Claude Allred, her father, owned the Buick- Pontiac automobile dealership on the southeast corner of Bridge and Main St. The photo in the lower left shows that dealership almost underwater. The other photos were taken at various Main St. locations and show businesses such as the Wunder Stag, Hotel Johnson, Pryor Music, Palace Hotel, Togni, Purina, Sweeney’s Café, and Chop Suey. By the way, the photo on the lower right shows the Tulare County National Bank of Visalia at the location now that is now the Visalia Coffee Co. at Church and Main streets. How Visalia’s landscape has changed in really such a short amount of time!

New Mystery Spot – This One is Going To Be Much Tougher

Okay, the days of easy pickin’s are over. This new mystery spot should separate the pros from the novices. Decorative tiles as trim on buildings, gave buildings some color, uniqueness, and a touch of class. Here is a portion of old tile trim. What building or structure is it part of? Here are some clues:
1) If you add up the numbers in the address it totals 10
2) It has been a family owned business since 1922
3) Its location gives a feeling of being connected to the “south”
4) It is located just south of Mill Creek

Assorted

{{}} Local professional photographer Ron Holman is leading a Visalia photo walk on July 18th, starting at 9:00am. The walk includes historical homes and other downtown sites and is part of the second-annual worldwide photo walk. Should be loads of fun. It is limited on the number that can participate, so if you have an interest, don’t waste and time and go to http://worldwidephotowalk.com/visalia-ca-usa/

{{}} Joseph Vicenti wants to know if anyone has heard of a celebrity horse named Visalia Abbe. He thinks it may have been a movie horse for class “B” movies, but he’s not sure. Obviously, because of the name he is curious as to whether there is a Visalia, California connection or could it be connected to Visalia, Kentucky?

{{}} Jon Carlton, the book manager at Visalia Costco, has made arrangements to have valley author Mark Arax of King of California fame at Visalia Costco on July 18th starting at 11:00am. He will be signing his book West of the West: Dreamers, Believers, Buildings and Killers in the Golden State. Great opportunity to meet this well-respected valley author.


Our platform is a good broad plank—Make Visalia dry, make Visalia a place so clean, so wholesome, that you could have your little ones grow up among environments free from the influence of the saloon. Anyone not agreeing with me is not a good citizen to live in Visalia. An excerpt from a temperance speech giving by Carrie Barnett as President of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Good Government League. February 13, 1914, Visalia Morning Delta.

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Thanks for visiting Historic Happenings! If you are not on the email list yet, and would like to be notified via email when a new posting of this newsletter is made, please email, me, Terry Ommen at histerry@comcast.net. I will add you to the list.

Mystery Spot Identified—Congratulations David Miller!
Over a dozen of you identified the mystery spot as the old (1962) Santa Fe Railroad overpass trestle that spanned Highway 198 for many years. David Miller was the first to identify it and less than 1 minute later, yes, Randy Groom got it too. Thanks to all of you who took a stab at it. I understand that two Santa Fe Railroad signs that were on the overpass have been “saved.” Anyone know where they went?


Suspect a Spirit is Paying You a Visit?
Visalia has had plenty of ghost stories in its long history, and after all these years Visalia now has paranormal investigators, too. So if you are living with unwanted visitors, relief is on the way. According to the website of the Tulare County Paranormal Society, they will help you to determine what your “eerie” problem is utilizing scientific equipment. You can visit the society at their website: https://home.comcast.net/~tularecountyparanormal/ or you can call them in Visalia at 697-2962. While at their website, signup for a historical/paranormal walk on October 24th. Jack and Charlie’s restaurant (in the basement of the old Tulare County Jail) will be the featured location as it is, according to the Society, a “very active place both of history and paranormal activity.” Consider being part of this paranormal walk in search of the supernatural. The picture here shows what the paranormal group captured on film at a location near the library. Pretty interesting, huh?


Just Like 65 Years Ago, the Robins Finally Have Water Again!
On June 13, 2009, Carroll Barnes’ Robin Fountain or birdbath as it is known, was rededicated on the grounds of the Tulare County Library. Water is flowing through the fountain pipes again and the concrete basin offers a refreshing dip for visiting birds. It also gives Visalia a nice visible piece of public art and a peaceful and tranquil gateway to the children’s library. This photograph taken by Sandy Newman shows pretty little Megan Forgey and Lynne Sharon Lipscomb Brumit at the fountain. Megan recited the exact speech that Lynne Sharon gave at the original dedication in 1944. Other speakers at the Rededication were Carole Firstman, co-founder of First Arts, Janet Loffland Moffett, who was at the original Dedication, and Visalia Mayor Jesus Gamboa, who accepted the fountain on behalf of the citizens of Visalia. Thanks to the 50 or so people that attended the event and a special thanks to those who drove long distances to be there.


Yuma, Arizona—the End of the Line for a Famous Visalian
Last month, my wife, Lari and I traveled to Yuma, Arizona in pursuit of more information about Arizona Charlie Meadows. His life had more twists and turns than a Manzanita walking stick. This native of Tulare County and soldier of fortune spent his last years in the southwest desert town of Yuma, Arizona. Even in retirement, excitement followed this legendary bigger - than - life showman. Gathered some great history on him but unfortunately, I was unable to get medical reports as to his cause of death. According to Arizona Charlie’s biographer and relative, Jean Beach King, he was “the tragic victim of his own error in judgment.” In 1932, refusing to see a doctor for relief, he “opened” his troublesome varicose veins with a pocket knife. Arizona Charlie died like he lived, pushing life to the maximum and living way beyond the ordinary. His bronze headstone in Yuma’s cemetery lists Visalia as his place of birth.


New Mystery Spot – For the Artistically Inclined
Here’s the mystery object for this issue of HH . On what building is it located? Here are the clues:
1) The metal art is the creation of Three Rivers artist Carroll Barnes, the same man who sculpted the Robin Fountain and the COS Giant.
2) The representation depicted here is that of a special type of bird that symbolizes power.
3) The building on which this artwork is mounted has a special connection to a national holiday in November.
4) This corner building was dedicated in 1952.

What is the building and where is it located? Good luck.



Assorted
{{}} Rick and Susan Mangini confirmed Visalia’s “Little Italy” was in the area by Bridge and Santa Fe between Noble and Tulare Ave. We really need to map the locations in Visalia of the various ethnic and cultural groups.

{{}} Recently I heard that there could have been tunnels that ran along Mill Creek not to far from the L.J. Williams Theater and may have even connected with it. This is amazing! With all of the tunnel possibilities that have surfaced (no pun intended), Visalia should no longer be called “Oak Tree City”, but “Tunnel Town.”

{{}} The impressive 17,000 square foot Museum of Farm Labor and Agriculture building is going up fast and it will be finished by September 16, 2009. This building is impressive!


“Teeth for Everybody” was an advertisement proudly displayed in the Visalia Weekly Delta Newspaper by Dr. Elmendorf, resident surgical and mechanical dentist, December 19, 1866.

Visalia Then & Now - available now

Visalia Then & Now is an interesting look at the town's history. It is a trip through time, comparing old Visalia photographs with contemporary photographs showing how the town has changed and how it has stayed the same. A wonderful way to understand history with images pictured side by side. Get your signed copy today. For ordering information please email visaliahisterry@gmail.com

Click on photo for larger image

Thanks for visiting Historic Happenings! If you are not on the email list yet, and would like to be notified via email when a new posting of this newsletter is made, please email me, Terry Ommen, at histerry@comcast.net. I will add you to the list.


Mystery Spot Identified—Three Diamonds Building
Four of you found this Visalia mystery spot building. However Virginia Strawser was the first. The building was the old Dodge Bros Auto dealership on the southwest corner of Acequia and Locust streets. She used the meaning of the word Acequia (irrigation canal or waterway) to connect the water clue to this building. It is now being used by Kaweah Delta Hospital. Thanks to all of you, but a special super sleuth medal goes to Virginia.


Robin Fountain Rededication Date Set – Yes, it is True!
Rededication Day has finally arrived. On Saturday, June 13th at 9:00am on the east lawn of the Tulare County Library, the much talked about Carroll Barnes’ Robin Fountain will be rededicated. For background information, scroll down for previous HH postings. Highlights of the short rededication event include two speakers who were actually at the original dedication in 1944, nearly 65 years ago. Janet Loffland Moffett who witnessed the ceremony in the audience and Lynne Sharon Lipscomb Brumit who at 10 years old gave the speech accepting the birdbath on behalf of the children, will both be part of the rededication. Megan Forgey, a talented 12-year old Visalia girl will give Lynne Sharon’s speech and accept the Robin Fountain on behalf of the children of Visalia. Visalia Mayor Jesus Gamboa will formally accept the birdbath on behalf of the city and Carole Firstman, co-founder of First Arts, will provide background information on Carroll Barnes and public art. Everyone is welcome.


Another Gathering of Local Authors – Special Appearance by Bill Coate
Thanks to Jay O’Connell, premier publicist and Tulare County booster and Jon Carlton, heavyhitter and wonder Manager at Visalia’s Costco, Visalia will again host a gathering of local history authors at Costco on June 13, just in time for Fathers Day. This time the famous historian Bill Coate, of Twist in Time fame, will be present. The authors will gather at 11:00am and will be there until 3:00pm. The photo that you see here shows the previous group at the last gathering which took place December 13, 2008. It was a big success. The other authors scheduled to be at Costco with their books on June 13th include: John Bergman, Chris Brewer, Bill Coate, Ron Hughart, Jay O’Connell, and me. For more detail about the authors and their books, please contact me and I can give you more information. This is a great opportunity to meet the authors, get their books and have them signed, right before Father’s Day.


The Visalia & the Yuma, Arizona Connection
Charles “Arizona Charlie” Meadows was born on a ranch near Visalia where he learned to ride, rope and shoot. While still a young man, he moved to Arizona with his family where he gained worldwide acclaim as a rodeo star and wild west showman. I have traveled to Payson, Arizona and Dawson City in the Klondike Territory, Canada in pursuit of his story, and I have one more trip to make. As an elderly man, Arizona Charlie moved to Yuma and it was there that he died in 1932. Story has it that he died due to complications of a surgery he performed on himself with a pocket knife. This legendary man, who stood 6’5” tall, was known throughout much of the world and he was a Visalia native son. I will report more upon my return.



New Mystery Spot – Way Too Easy
I sure hope I don’t insult the intelligence of all of you with this very easy mystery spot. You probably don’t need any clues, but here they are just in case:
1) This is a manmade structure built with Kaiser Steel.
2) It was installed at the tail end of Rock ‘n Roll’s Golden Decade .
3) It is sometimes called a word that rhymes with “wrestle.”
4) It is disappearing from Visalia’s landscape as of this posting.
What and where is it? Don’t all answer at once!

Assorted

{{}} Regarding the possible of the demolition of the 400 block of East Main Street, Charles Loffland commented that he believes people go to Europe to see 200-300-400 year old historic buildings. He said the we will never have [old buildings] if our 50-200 year old buildings are demolished. He concluded, “sometimes the ‘bottom line’ needs to be scrapped to save something special.”

{{}} Bruce Geiger pointed out sometime back and reminded me recently that Visalia had German and Italian sections much like Chinatown. The Italian neighborhood generally was on Santa Fe between Noble and Tulare avenues. The German area was around the little white church that still stands at 724 So. Court Street. At one time, this church was a German Lutheran church. Anyone else have information on Italytown and Germantown in Visalia?

{{}} Patrick Barszcz, who successfully identified the Highland Park mystery spot marker, did more investigative work. He discovered the historic term “manual training”, which is on the marker, is what we would call today “industrial Arts” which would include wood and metal shop.

“Diphtheria still lingers in the county. We know of no cases near Visalia at present, but every few days we hear of the death of children in some part of the county, caused by this terrible disease.” March 7, 1879, Visalia Weekly Delta.