By Karen Morris (with thanks to Don Grove)
This building has been home to many families since its service as a way station. Our records begin with the McGinity family. They lived here beginning in 1904. We are not sure how long they stayed. The Hanningan Family moved in about 1942 and stayed until 1947. Hazel Kennedy and her family Patrick and Margaret bought the property and lived in the adobe from 1948 to 1950. The Strunk family called the adobe home from 1955 to 1961. When they left Margaret Kennedy Ward and her family lived here from 1963 to 1969. We were told by Mike Heredia that his step-father, Robert Stairs, lived here with his family from 1973 to1975.
Other families may have lived here but we are not sure of the dates. There were times when no one lived in the adobe. Our records are incomplete and perhaps not completely correct. If you can fill in the gaps or make corrections please let us know.
You can leave comments here (find the button to click to make comments) or on our Facebook page, as well as our website at www.coarsegoldhistoricalsociety.com.
You can also contact Karen Morris, Coarsegold Historic Museum president at 559- 642-4448.
FOLLOW-UP TO HISTORY MYSTERY #82
Rose Davis-Cobb shared the image and corrected the details of the movie that the two women were cast in, which was “Hiawatha.” The film locations were Bass Lake and Lewis Creek (source Roger Lewis, Mono elder, who was an extra with a non-speaking role.) Roger stated that the crew would get ready at the old Ducey’s and a bus would take them to the dam area for filming.
Roger didn’t have a speaking role, but he was the little boy in the scene with Hiawatha and his wife, seen leaning against a tree. Some of the Mono people that he recalls being in the movie were: Herman Walker, Ray Walker, Frances Wenz Sherman, Lee Sherman, Ida, and Mary.
The film didn’t reflect the true traditions and customs of the local tribes here in Madera County nor any of the tribes in the nation, just the interpretation of the American Indian in that certain era. Regardless of that interpretation of the American Indian, it is exciting to see the Mono and Chukchansi (information from Chukchansi elder Irene Roan, Saragosa family were extras) people in the movie.
One young Mono boy had a speaking role and his name is Ray “Chubby” Walker. He was the young boy who said “Hiawatha, Hiawatha,” as the canoe comes into the camp. The Mono ladies in the photo are Ida Brown Carmen (left), born in 1896 and her sister Mary Brown Chepo (right).
The North Fork History Group is interested in some of the photos related to “Deer Slayer” and “Hiawatha,” if any locals want to share photos and history. Please contact Don Grove at 559-877-2141.
