In our historic photos files at the Sierra Historic Sites Association (SHSA) research library, we found this photograph, with very little information. On the back there is a note that says: “Picnic at ‘Blue-Bell’ on Taylor Mt. Grey ranch.” The name A. Burget is written on the front. Does anyone know where this “Blue Bell” was located, where the Grey ...

This photo is in the collection of the Sierra Mono Museum. The photograph was taken by Alexander Hood. The man with the baby is Mike McDonald holding his son Wally. Any help with identifying the woman and children in the photo would be appreciated. Thank you, Christina McDonald Sierra Mono Museum   Follow-Up on The History Mystery #69 We were ...

This month’s History Mystery is submitted by George Raymond, Historian, E Clampus Vitus Chapter 41-49 Subject: Southern Pacific Railroad – Berenda Branch Question: Do any of the readers have or know how to obtain a map showing the route of the Berenda Branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad? It ran from Berenda to Daulton to Raymond. Over time this stretch ...

RAYMOND – The building in the photograph burned in the early 1990s in Knowles and was a boarding house for many granite quarry workers over the years. But our History Mystery is not about the building but concerns the two stone bears crouched along either side of the stairs leading to the porch. The two bears, which some folks think ...

It’s not often that one of the History Mysteries gets solved so completely, but when it does happen we think it should be highlighted. Thanks to diligent research of North Fork History Group member Kathy Ellis, and preservation of historic information in the past by Margie (Jeppson) Hensley and Doris Scovel, every person in History Mystery #59 was identified. The ...

Submitted by Don Grove – NORTH FORK – Grace Community Church would like to invite all our friends to a celebration of the successful conclusion to the ministry of Reverend David Brown. Rev. Brown has been the pastor here for the past seven years and is retiring at age 71. He will be sorely missed. The church is inviting the ...

Submitted by Karen Morris – We have many military uniforms on display at the Coarsegold Historic Museum and we need more information about them. This is a picture of one from WWI. We’re not sure what the patches on the sleeves are for and are hoping someone out there may be able to help. Any information would be appreciated. Please ...

This month we are featuring not so much a Mystery as a celebration of the past from Christina McDonald. “As the Sierra Mono Museum embarks on a new phase in cultural preservation, let us remember the original ground breaking that took place in the 1970’s. Community members please identify the people in the groundbreaking photo. Let us see who you ...

This month’s mystery is one I am often asked about. When and where did President Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir first meet on their trip to Raymond and on to Yosemite? They traveled in May of 1903 so we celebrate the historic trip 115 years later. There are several theories, so it will be fun to see what folks come ...

The Mariposa Indian War, Campaign from 13 April to 2 May, 1851. The question is to more accurately locate where this particular skirmish took place. The map indicates that it took place along the banks of Fine Gold Creek, somewhere close to Fine Gold Gulch. The text of the report indicates that it was on the Little San Joaquin River. ...