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Thanks for visiting Historic Happenings! If you are not on the email list, and would like to be notified via email when a new posting of this newsletter is made, please email Terry Ommen at histerry@comcast.net. I will add you to the list. I will never share your email address with anyone without your permission.    NOTICE: You can now comment publicly and directly about topics on this blog. Just click on the "Comments" after the "Say What" portion and let your voice be heard!

Russ Dahler was Johnny-on-the-spot to get the last mystery spot. He was the first to correctly identify the prune house on South Bridge Street across from Washington School. Nice work, Russ. I believe the big "S" on the building stands for Sunsweet, a company heavily involved in the prune industry, at least many years ago.
 

OK, here are the clues for the next one. Where is this building?

1)  The building was built in 1908

2) This building is just a very short distance from the old Mooney House

3) The building once held a German language church.

4) It is near a street named after a nearby park.

Good luck.

An Early Look at Mooney Blvd.

It is not often we get to see very old photographs of people and places on what we now call Mooney Blvd. Laura Spalding, a member of the Kelly family, shared these two rare old photographs. They both show the ranch house of Greenberry Marion Kelly and his wife, Sara Jane. Their house shown here was located just south of Whitendale at Mooney Blvd. Thanks, Laura, for sharing. These pictures are probably circa 1895.

Miss Tulare County – Important Programs & Movies Surface

Recently Missy (Rider) Yavasile, Miss Tulare County for 1967, donated her almost complete collection of Miss Tulare County Pageant Programs to the history room at the Tulare County library. In addition to her being a former Miss Tulare County, Missy was also the manager of the pageant for many years. She not only donated the programs, she also provided a large collection of VHS videos of local historical pageants. The Miss Tulare County pageant has been a proud part of Visalia and Tulare County since about 1952 and Missy's generosity will benefit the researching public immensely. Shown here is an example of a pageant program from 1970.

J.J. Newberry Letter is Proudly Preserved

Back in the day (pre-1970), Visalia's downtown was packed with shops and stores—many of them chain stores like Sears,Woolworth's and J.J. Newberry's. Over time the chains left downtown. J. J. Newberry was on the southeast corner of Main and Locust and when the store left town, Ben Owens, foreman for builder Al Pearson, was in charge of the building remodel. Ben could not bear to dump the letters that spelled out J. J. Newberry, so he salvaged some of the letters and distributed them among his family. Ben's daughter, Carolyn Edwards got one and displays her prize keepsake "E" to this day. Made of metal, maybe brass, the letter has hung on the wall of every house Carolyn has lived in for the past 42 years. She is proud to have it and considers it a treasure.

More on the 1955 Flood

Recently Roger Maraist, retired Southern California Edison manager, shared a scrapbook that he had for the 1955 flood. It is labeled Visalia Flood December 1955 and is filled with newspaper clippings relating to the famous flood. Most of the material deals with the first of the two floods in 1955-56. The first flood in December was the result of heavy rain right before Christmas. The massive amount of water in such a short time was just too much for the banks of the channels around Visalia. The second flood was in January 1956, about a month later. It was caused by a huge log that blocked the flow of water in Mill Creek near what is now Court and Center. Thanks, Roger, for sharing this scrapbook with us.

Kate Wants to Level With Us

Kate Gibson Cates asked about the origin and purpose of the old ruler and level marked with Visalia Morning Delta on it. The Visalia Morning Delta and the Times merged in 1928 to create the Visalia Times Delta. That fact obviously makes this little advertising item pre-1928. I'm not sure why it was produced, but the explanation might be as simple as that it was a newspaper advertising promotional giveaway. Any other suggestions for Kate as to why this was made? Kate's family has deep roots in the Visalia newspaper business, so this little ruler/level is in the right home. Thanks for sharing Kate.

More Old Newspapers Surface

Old Visalia newspapers seem to be a worthwhile commodity. Several more have come in and of special interest is a complete 1859-1959 Golden Century Edition of the Visalia Times Delta. Dated June 25, 1959, this beautiful old newspaper is in remarkably good condition. As most of you know, Visalia had the oldest newspaper in the southern San Joaquin Valley, and as a result it is a absolutely wonderful source for historians. Thanks to the HH follower that provided this newspaper.

The Visalia Saddle Ropes 'Em in from Minnesota

Visalia had an interesting visitor a few weeks ago, all the way from Minnesota. R. Carl Moy is a law professor specializing in patent law. He has a great fascination with early saddles especially what is known as the Visalia Stock Saddle. The name Samstag is a name connected to Visalia and the saddle trade, also and Professor Moy is on the search for more information about him as well. So if you have any information on Samstag, please pass it along to me and I will get it to him. It was nice to spend some time with someone interested in another aspect of the history of our saddle—a saddle that helped put Visalia on the map!

***Pete Cowper asked about the history of the very tall antenna tower near Woodland and Walnut in Visalia. I heard from Lyman Treaster that it began as the tower for KTKC. Anyone have any other information to share about that tower? By the way, Lyman indicated that it was part of his job in the early days of that radio station to climb to the top of the tower and change light bulbs as they burned out. Yikes!

***In the mid 1960s Paul Spencer remembers as a young boy he and his friends would enter a rather rundown bar and card room on Main Street near what is now Links clothing store. It was great fun for the kids to watch the old men in the back room playing cards. Most of the time he didn’t stay long as he was chased out by management. He is curious as to what was the name of the place that he and his young friends visited. I have my idea, but I would like to hear your thoughts on the name of that particular cardroom/bar.

***For those who would like to know more about the devastating Visalia High School fire in 1912, you have an opportunity to read about it in an article in the December 2013 Lifestyle Magazine or you can read it in the magazine online at: http://issuu.com/lifestylemagazine/docs/lifestyle_dec_web

The story begins on page 18.

***Bruce Geiger recently asked about the Holt Block (north side of Main Street, west of Court). Fred S. Holt of the famous Holt family of Stockton (Caterpillar fame) built a large building on Main in 1886, and as a result the block became known as the Holt Block. I believe in the early 1930s much of the block was destroyed by a fire. Anyone have anymore information about the Holt Block?

***Once again the interesting little rooms with the numbers on the doors located in the courtyard area at the rear of the Palace Hotel building (Court and Main) have caught the eye of a curious passerby. These interesting little rooms were the bathrooms for hotel guests before in room bathrooms became vogue. By the way, the Palace Hotel is one of Visalia's centennial buildings, opening its doors for the first time in 1876.

People who drive a good, old and gentle team into town generally leave it standing unhitched. We saw one of these teams that never "runs" get scared the other day, and we can see no difference between an old trusty team and one that is young and not "trusty." The destruction was just as complete as if it had been a span of colts, wild and vicious.  Tulare Times, May 29, 1880.

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Thanks for visiting Historic Happenings! If you are not on the email list, and would like to be notified via email when a new posting of this newsletter is made, please email Terry Ommen at histerry@comcast.net. I will add you to the list. I will never share your email address with anyone without your permission.    NOTICE:           You can now comment publically and directly about topics on this blog. Just click on the "Comments" after the "Say What" portion and let your voice be heard!

Congratulations go out to George Pilling who correctly guessed the last mystery spot as the Tulare County Library, now the Children's Library portion. Nice work, George.

Okay, now for the next one. Here are your clues:

1) It once housed the California Prune and Apricot Grower's Association.

2) As a result some people called it the Prune House.

3) It is located on the first named street in Visalia.

4) It is a huge building.

Where is this building? Good luck.

Tipton-Lindsey School Appears on Dishes

Bruce Geiger shared that he had a couple of small dishes in his collection. They are old and marked: Grammar School, Visalia, California. Both of them show the Tipton-Lindsey School. It was built in 1891 on the site where the Tulare County Library is today. The dishes were produced by and marked

"Wheelock, Dresden Germany Made in German for S. Sweet & Co. Visalia, California." By the way, the school depicted on these dishes had nothing to do with towns of Tipton or Lindsay. This school was named after the prominent Visalia pioneer named Tipton Lindsey. The brick school apparently was poorly constructed and within a couple of decades after it was built, it was condemned. In 1920 it was torn down. Thanks for sharing these important treasurers, Bruce.

Centennial Edition—A Treasure Trove of History

On October 11, 1974, the Visalia Times Delta issued a Centennial Edition commemorating the city's centennial 1874-1974.  This historical newspaper celebrated Visalia's incorporation year of 1874. The newspaper was issued in 1974 and was a huge success with various historical sections highlighting Visalia's rich past. It is a keepsake edition and is an important memento from Visalia's past. It has played an important part in keeping Visalia's history alive. HH follower Gary Holder was kind enough to share his copy. This edition can still be found occasionally, but it's getting harder to find them. Thanks, Gary.

Lion's Club—Visalia Safety Patrol

Richard Drath is at it again. This time he found a Lion's Visalia Safety Patrol hat. As a young boy attending Houston School in the late 1950s, Richard wore this one and carried a stop sign on a pole and escorted other students across streets near the school. It was provided by the local Lion's Club where his father Ralph was a Lion and he was a well-known principal (Highland and Houston schools in Visalia.) Do elementary school children do crossing guard duty anywhere anymore? I doubt it.

Visalia Was in Heart of Four Creeks

Occasionally questions have come up about the term Four Creeks. In 1850 and the few years that followed, our area was called Four Creeks Country. It was a fertile delta region recognized by many and  Visalia would have been right in the middle of it. In 1853 the Williamson survey party came through here and documented their observations: "From the level of the arid and treeless plain bounded on the west by the equally barren mountains, we made a sudden descent of about ten feet to the bottom land of Four Creeks. Here the aspect of the landscape suddenly changed. Instead of the brown, parched surface of gravel, to which the eye is accustomed on the surrounding plains, we find the ground hidden from view by luxuriant growth of grass and the air fragrant with the perfume of flowers. The sound of flowing brooks and the notes of the wild birds greet the ear in strange contrast with the rattle produced by the hot wind as it sweeps over the dried weeds and gravel of the plain. The whole scene is overshadowed by groves of majestic oaks and the eye can wander down long avenues of trees until lost in the shadows of their foliage. This scene of natural beauty is the result of natural irrigation, the ground being abundantly watered by the Pi-piyunna [Kaweah] river, which supplies the water that forms the Four Creeks. In fact, a broad delta is here formed between the Tulare lake and the mountains, and the profuse vegetation may not only be referred to the presence of water, but to the fertility of the soil, which is alluvial and is frequently enriched by overflows of the creeks."

Sol Sweet—Early Visalia Aviator

HH follower Pat Willis suggested that I include something about Visalia pioneer aviator Sol Sweet. The Sweet family of course was well-known for their big department store in town, but Sol Sweet made a name for himself as a local aviator. He learned to fly in 1924 and in 1926 he bought his first airplane. A year later Sol Sweet and Eddie Deeds were flying from Porterville to Visalia when the plane developed mechanical problems. They were forced down on Putnam's Field, an area of open land near what is now Highways 198 and 99. The emergency landing site became the Visalia Municipal Airport. Sol Sweet is shown here on Sol Sweet Day at the Visalia Airport in 1988. The famous aviator is on the left with Bonnell Pryor on the right.

Amazing Historical Photographs Appearing at 210

On December 9^th starting at 7:00pm at the 210 Center at Locust and Center streets, there will be a historical photo program. The Visalia Times Delta has been receiving interesting photos over the last week or so submitted by people willing to share. The photos submitted are sure to be interesting, and it will be fun to display  and discuss them. It is a free program from 7:00-8:30pm, so come by and join in on the discussion of these historic pictures. Click on this brochure for additional details.

***Still no definitive answer about the statues at Mooney Grove Park and the possible connection between them and possible drownings in the pond. I'm sure the answer is out there somewhere, but it is going to take some more detective work. Did the drownings occur or are they urban legend?

***The 2014 historic calendars are finished? They have been provided this year by the Central Valley Community Bank, the financial institution that took over the project from Visalia Community Bank. The calendars will be distributed free of charge at the 210 Center on the evening of December 9^th at 7:00pm during the photo program. Come by and pick your up.

***In 1952 Visalia was rocked by the 7.7 Tehachapi earthquake. If you'd like to read more about its effect in Tehachapi and Visalia, go to the November 2013 Lifestyle Magazine starting on page 18. You can read it online at http://issuu.com/lifestylemagazine/docs/lifestyle_nov_web

Fashion is a tyrant whose commands most people obey. Nevertheless many of us know that woman is never so graceful, never so beautiful as when gowned so as to leave her body unconfined by braces, straps, strings and corsets.  Daily Visalia Delta, March 25, 1904

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Thanks for visiting Historic Happenings! If you are not on the email list, and would like to be notified via email when a new posting of this newsletter is made, please email Terry Ommen at histerry@comcast.net. I will add you to the list. I will never share your email address with anyone without your permission.    NOTICE: You can now comment publicly and directly about topics on this blog. Just click on the "Comments" after the "Say What" portion and let your voice be heard!

Well, Jaime Hitchcock is back on top! He was the first to recognize the old municipal court building on the northeast corner of Church and Center streets as the mystery spot.  So many of you recognized this building.  Good work Jaime for being the first.

Here's the next one with clues. Where is this building?

1) The building was built in 1936

2) It's the site of the little white school house

3) The name Tipton and Lindsey are connected to this site

4) Many early church services were held on this site when the town began

Good luck!

J. Pierce Gannon Sr. and Jr. Were Part of Our History

For many Visalia old timers the name J. Pierce Gannon Sr. means a public spirited man who during the 1930s was mayor of Visalia. It was my honor to give his eulogy at the time of his passing at the request of his son J. Pierce Gannon Jr. The senior Gannon was born in 1896 and came to Visalia in 1902 and was very entrenched in community activities. Junior was also a Visalian, but spent  much of his life away from Visalia. Thanks to Junior’s  son  (and Gannon Sr.'s grandson), much of his Visalia history has been preserved after both distinguished  men passed away. This photo shows Mayor J. Pierce Gannon posing with a group called "Wilson's Rambler's" and he is on the far right in this 1938 photograph. Thanks to the Gannon ancestors for keeping their history

Dwight Mikkelsen Returns to Visalia

Dwight B. Mikkelsen is a Visalia guy. He graduated from Mt. Whitney in 1970 and he is a COS grad as well. Shortly after his time at COS he headed south to the Los Angeles area to devote himself to music. And devote he did! Dwight is now a highly accomplished musical talent whose credentials seem to have no end. Recently he composed music for the classic rock group "Chicago." Yes, I did say "Chicago." I would encourage you to visit his musically oriented website at www.noteslinger.com . It's a wonderful site. A few days ago this Visalia composer returned to our town to share his latest accomplishment. Freedom's Rush is his very interesting collection of stories about his solo motorcycle travels with "The Beast." Dwight loves motorcycles and wrote Freedom's Rush to share some of his stories. He wrote it under the name of Foster Kinn. To take a look at the book and review it, please go to     http://www.freedomsrush.net/Opening_Page.html  Dwight had a book signing get-to-gather recently and his old friends had a great time and Dwight did too. It was nice to finally get to meet the man I had only communicated with electronically. Talk about Visalia’s brain drain!

81-Year Old Giant Sequoia in Visalia?

In 1936 Visalia Postmaster Nathan Levy authorized the placement of two Giant Sequoia (Sequoia Giganteas) trees on the downtown (Acequia Street) post office property. One was planted on the eastside of the building and one was planted on the west side. Several years ago the one on the eastside was apparently removed (I don't recall hearing about it), but the 81-year old tree on the west side appears to be alive and well. I say appears, because to me it looks like a Sequoia tree and has all the markings of such. However, it's shaped differently.  Needles and bark sure look and feel like a Sequoia to me. If anyone can verify that this is a Sequoia tree, I would very much appreciate it. At the time of the planting the postmaster indicated that Visalia was the only post office in the United States where a Sequoia tree was on the grounds. Guy Hopping, Superintendent of the General Grant National Park (now part of  Kings Canyon National Park), assisted with the planting. These two tiny trees at the time of planting were estimated to be three or four years old and were dug out of the snow in the north grove of the Grant Park. They were planted using "burlap shields." Sequoia trees grow naturally in the Sierra at about 5,000' elevation. If by chance you can't make it to the park to see one of these beautiful trees, visit our Acequia Street  post office.

Visalia, Kentucky is Looking Ghostly

By now many Visalians know our town  was named in the honor of Nathaniel Vise who hailed from Visalia, Kentucky. A former Visalian who now lives in Louisville, Kentucky took the short drive to Visalia, Kentucky recently and shared this photograph of the little community that has almost become a ghost town. Here is one of the few buildings remaining in the town. The former Visalian mentioned that  there is not much left of  Visalia, Kentucky.

4 Seats in a Barbershop Equal a Quartet

It's rare that we get to see any interior photographs of early Visalia barbershops. I love this 4-seater shot! Marian Shippey Cote saw this photo on the internet and contacted the owner of it, Loyetta Aukstkalnis. Loyetta shared this information about her photograph. It shows the Thomas H. Ellis Barbershop at 220 E. Main Street, Visalia. Thomas owned it for many years. He came to Visalia from South Dakota and retired in 1949 after barbering for 37 years. Lloyd G. Ellis was Thomas' son and he married Leta. Loyetta and Mike Ellis were their children. Thanks for sharing this nice old photograph.

Pioneering Mathewson Family

Carole Mathewson is a friend, long time HH follower, family historian, journalist and so many other things. Her family history is filled with lots of interesting people and for a long time she chronicled her family history in what she called the "Mathewson Gazette." Carole provided me with old issues of the Gazette and has allowed me to pull material from it for Historic Happenings. What a thrill! This particular photo is of Arthur Mathewson . He was born in 1832 and raised in Vermont. Arthur came to California and became a miner, but by the early 1850s he made his way to Visalia. He farmed, was active in politics and he died in 1896. Descendants of Arthur and Lucinda still live in Tulare County. Thanks Carole, for allowing me to share part of your "Mathewson Gazette."

***In the last posting of HH I mentioned some statues on the island in the pond at Mooney Grove Park. So many of you commented about the statues and also the basis for their being there. According to many of you, they were placed there in honor of two children who drown. Sheila Caskey Holder recalls as a young girl in the 1940s hearing the story about the drownings but could provide no detail. No one seems to know if it's true. I will try to get to the bottom of it.

***If you'd like to read a history of Visalia's Courthouse Square, take a look at Lifestyle Magazine page 26. You can pick up a copy of the magazine or it is online also at    http://issuu.com/lifestylemagazine/docs/lifestyle_oct_web  Congratulations also to Karen Tellalian and her team  for the magazine’s 10 year  anniversary. Lifestyle is a first rate magazine.

***Anyone remember Edith Ames, the elevator operator at the old Bank of America building? As a boy, Phil Kneeland delivered newspapers in the building and he "adored" Edith. Anyone else remember her?

***Okay, who remembers Linwood Golf Course? Any memories about it including exactly where it was located, who owned it, etc. would  be appreciated. An HH follower would like to know.

***Standby all of you that have interesting old photos that you'd like to share. I am told the Visalia Times Delta is about to announce a "call for photographs." Keep watching the VTD for details this month for an event that is likely to take place in December. Should be a lot of fun.

Two men recently died in Fresno for drinking too much cold beer. The lesson will have no effect. Thousands of dry-throated people will continue to tempt fate by sluicing their tonsils with lager.  Visalia Daily Morning Delta, July 16, 1896 

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Thanks for visiting Historic Happenings! If you are not on the email list, and would like to be notified via email when a new posting of this newsletter is made, please email Terry Ommen at histerry@comcast.net. I will add you to the list. I will never share your email address with anyone without your permission.

Congratulations Pete Cowper for being the first to identify the mystery spot as the telephone company building on Acequia just west of Locust. Nice work, Pete, with not much to go on. I would still like to know when this building was built. If anyone has a year I'd like know.

So, for those of you ready for the next mystery spot, here it is. Where is the building? Your clues are.

            1. This building saw its share of conflict.

            2. The building opened for business for the first time in 1965.

            3. The building site was once the location of the Masonic hall.

            4. The building is between an old hoosegow and a building

            once owned by A. P. Giannini.

Good luck.

Visalia Underwater Again—1955

This is an interesting old photograph. I have never seen this particular view. Usually flood photos are taken

closer to the main part of downtown Visalia, but this was taken at the western end of Main Street. I would like to credit the photographer  of this photo, but it is hard to pin down. It was sent to me, but apparently it has been circulated in social media circles for quite some time. Notice the Juke Box fountain on the far right, a Richfield service station near the center and Stella's Italian Restaurant on the far left. Just so you can get your bearings, Stella's was at 614 W. Main Street. Floods sure brought out the cameras and thanks to the photographer of this picture.

A Throwback to an Earlier Time

What is this? Susan Mangini has had this floating around her house for as long as she can remember. It advertises Schaub Radio Service at 108 S. Church Street. Do you give up on what this is? It is a record cleaner! You remember records, don't you? Anyone know anything about the Schaub Co. or family?

C. K. Ragan—Headstone Artist

Dallas Pattee, Tulare County cemetery historian and an HH follower, made a request. She noticed that in the past we have highlighted "concrete artisans" like J. M. Nelson and wanted me to share some of the work of another artist named C. K. Ragan. He was a Visalia businessman, a monument man, a stone cutter and also an artist who often signed his work. The signed headstone shown here is in the Visalia Cemetery, and Dallas says his work can be found throughout the county. By the way, in 1877 the local Times newspaper reported: Artistic—We have noticed for several days in the show window of R. P. Grant on Main Street, a very handsome and artistic piece of marble carving, executed by Mr. C. K. Ragan, a very superior master of his calling. The work is a representation of a little child in a position as if praying, the hands clasped and eyes turned heavenward; there is not a flaw in the execution of it, and is worthy of the many compliments passed. Mr. Ragan may well feel proud of his genius in this line. Thanks Dallas.

E. L. Smith---Purveyor of Patent Medicine, etc.

Alan George shared this old relic of early Visalia with me. It's a bottle he has had for many years. It's a beauty and marked "E. L. Smith, Druggist, Visalia, Cal." In 1900 Ernest Smith and Frank Mixter bought this drug store in the Harrell Building (105 E. Main Street). They sold drugs and jewelry. Smith had just graduated from the College of Pharmacy in San Francisco in 1898. Later the business was sold and it became Switzer-McCormic Drug Co sometime before 1919. Thanks Alan, for sharing this nice old piece of Visalia history.

Cozy Court—A Visalia Sleeper

There are all sorts of interesting little residential gems hidden in Visalia. Here's one for you. Recently, I discovered that in 1929, Thomas Brown built these little "court apartments" for C. J. Boyd at 440 W. Race Street (between Floral and Willis). Collectively, these were called "Cozy Court." They remain standing after 84 years. Good construction there. Anyone know builder Brown or property owner Boyd?

***If you'd like to know more about Andrew Carnegie and the Carnegie Library that stood here in Visalia, check out the history article online in the September 2013 issue of Lifestyle magazine, beginning on page 20. Here is the web address:  http://issuu.com/lifestylemagazine/docs/lifestyle_sept_web

***Ann Moeai, who lived in Visalia from 1950 to 1969 shared an interesting story about the old Bank of America building and an experience she had there as a youngster. She writes, "My father Ted Cooper was not a bank employee but worked in an office on the 4^th floor. I was with him one day on the elevator when the elevator attendant in uniform, or possibly a security officer with whom my father was acquainted, took us to the basement and showed us a room that had bales or boxes of money which I assumed to be old or torn bills. It was an interesting little tour, but as the years go by I have to wonder if I dreamed this or if it really could have happened." Anyone ever heard about boxes of money?

***Patsy remembers seeing statues on one of the islands at Mooney Grove Park. Anyone else remember them? What were they statues of? Any help would be appreciated.

***Earl McKee, a well-known and legendary Three Rivers native, has just written a book called Echoes of Blossom Peak: Cowboys, Horsemen and History of Three Rivers. It's a mountain history, a Three Rivers history, a cowboy history, and a Tulare County history, all in one book. Lots of references to Visalia here also. I strongly recommend it.

Drunken Officials—It is to be hoped that the time may come when sober men may be had to administer the law. We have lately had our attention called to the proceedings of an examining court where the court, the prosecuting attorney, and the prisoner at the bar were all apparently in the happy condition of a half-spent drunk. Such things are a disgrace to the community which tolerates them and are bound to call forth a complete ventilation if persisted in.  Visalia Weekly Delta, April 16, 1874