By Don Grove In the late 1800s, Narbo was a mining town located on Quartz Mountain. As the stories go, it was created by a French company, with a French orphanage as one of their biggest investors. Some stories say that the town had fine homes and a mansion residence for the company president. Others say that there was one ...

This month we have two questions for our History Mystery viewers. The first picture is an item found in their yard by one of the young visitors to the Raymond Museum. It is about 4 1/2 inches long. We had blacksmiths, railroad workers, stone carvers, etc. in Raymond so we have had many guesses but not sure exactly what this ...

The North Fork History Group heard a story about a young local girl in the 1950’s that regularly swam at a public swimming pool (possibly in the Bass Lake Annex). One day her mother gave her a nickel to buy goodies. The girl decided to put it in her mouth to keep it safe until she got to the pool. ...

The Sierra Mono Museum has this photo of what appears to be a specialized trailer or boat. Can anyone tell us the function of this and the era when used? Are there other people in the area that have one or have seen one? Thank you, Christina McDonald Sierra Mono Museum Follow-up to The History Mystery #75 — Minarets the ...

Minarets – The Town Minarets, or Media as it was also known, was located near the intersection of Road 400 and Road 406. In the mid 1890s, as Madera County was being carved out of Fresno County, Minarets was considered as a candidate for county seat. Some mountain folks didn’t like the idea of having to travel all the way ...

This photograph is a Tungsten Mine operation somewhere in Madera County taken in August of 1954. Tungsten has the highest melting point of any metal and was used in incandescent light bulbs and over 15,000 products during WWII. It makes any alloy much stronger and is credited with helping the USA to victory in WWII. Where was this particular mine ...

The Coarsegold Historical Society is looking for any information on the named area BROWLEY that is in the middle of the map below. Any information on who this family was, or any further details would be appreciated. Please leave your comments here or our Facebook page, or leave a message at 559-642-4448. Submitted by Karen Morris Coarsegold Historical Society Followup ...

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 ...