The McCready Boys

by Denise Henderson–Part 1

      The McCready Boys were the subject of the Southern Tuolumne County Historical Society’s (STCHS) February Program conducted by Jim Phillips.  For those of you who missed the show, John and Spencer McCready were lifetime bachelors who lived in Big Oak Flat, memorable characters who were respected and admired by adults and adored by area children.
      Their father, William Sr., was born in Pennsylvania about 1834.  His father was a Scottish immigrant and his mother was a native of Ohio.  About 1856, at the age of 22, he came out to California, probably seeking fortune in the gold mines.
      By 1870 he was 37 years old, had left the gold fields and was living in Ohio, married, and working in a coopers shop (barrel maker).  His wife, Melissa (Spencer) McCready, had been born in Virginia.  They had 3 children:  Minnie (born in Kansas), Addie (born in Ohio) and William Jr., who was a little over a year old (born in Ohio).
      By 1880 the family was back in Kansas and 3 more children had been born:  John, Spencer, and the youngest girl, Effie (aged 3).  Their mother, Melissa, was no longer living in the household and it’s assumed she died sometime between 1877 and 1880.
      By 1900 their father, William Sr., was going by the name of John.  He was a 65 year-old widower living in the Big Oak Flat area and working as a miner.  He appears to have been living alone at that time.
      Ten years later in 1910 William Sr. was still calling himself John.  He was 75 years old.  His sons William (aged 41), John (aged 39), and Spencer (“Pen”) (aged 36) were all living with him at “Corcoran’s” which may mean they were boarding at Priest Station/Hotel.  Father and sons all listed their occupations as “miner.”  It’s likely one or more of them was employed at the Longfellow Gold Mine and Stamp Mill, as it was a very large operation at that time and employed a great number of miners.  Still, to date there has been no evidence found to prove whether any of the McCreadys worked there or not.
      In 1911 William D. McCready (unclear if it was Jr. or Sr.) homesteaded 154 acres of land in the Big Oak Flat area.
      By 1920 William Jr. was 51 years old, John Jr. was 49, and Spencer was 46.  Their father was no longer mentioned in the U.S. census so it’s assumed that he died sometime between 1910 and 1920.  There is a wooden post at the Divide Cemetery with the initials WDM carved into it.  The post is standing next to the graves of William Jr., John Jr., and Spencer McCready.  Their graves all have headstones.  Maybe the wooden post marks the grave of their father?           
      In 1920 Eugene Mecartea was living in the same household as William Jr., John Jr., and Spencer, but it’s unclear if they were living with him or if he was living with them.  (It’s most likely Eugene was living with the McCreadys as they owned their own property.)  Either way, Eugene was a farmer, as was William.  John was a lumber worker and Spencer was a miner. 

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Friends of the Library

A Look At The Book Nook

by Nadine Pedron

       For those of you who don’t yet know about the  Friends Book Nook, join me here for a little tour.  For those who already visit us for Saturday sales, thank you, thank you for your wonderful patronage and support, including your book donations which provide our stock!  We’ll begin at the big blue sign announcing “Book Sale Today,” stationed at the top of the driveway leading to the museum and library.  Park your car in the lot and walk down to the lower portion of the library.  Ample signage will lead you to the door of the Book Nook/community meeting room.  Since it is Saturday we’ll be open (10 – 2) and you will be greeted by our friendly cashiers set up near the lovely refreshment table resplendent with complimentary coffee, tea and homemade treats.  Displays of current books, videos and audios load up the several tables in the outer room and when you walk a few paces straight ahead you’ll enter the large, attractive, carefully organized room offering shelves and shelves of gently used books—all genres, hard and paperback, fiction and non-fiction, children’s, reference—all at bargain prices.  A reader’s paradise.  And a comfortable social gathering place as well.  So, come in to see us soon for a warm welcome and a pleasant surprise.  All proceeds from the sales are used to support the library, its services and programs

FOGL NEWS:

·     Storytime for preschoolers is held every Friday morning at 10:30 in the library.  Thanks to our engaging readers:  Terri Pettis, Joyce Reitzen, Sally Salinas, Sandy Smith and Alex Wylie.
·     Our popular SUMMER READING PROGRAM for children will again be held at the library on Wednesdays from 3 – 5 on the following dates:  June 17, 24; July 8, 15, 22, and 29.  Details soon.  Please call the library for further information.
·     Next FOGL meeting will be held on May 26 at 2:00 downstairs at the library.  Visitors always welcome.  For membership information please call
Jane Sperry (962-4178).

 (Editor’s note:  The children’s photography exhibit was held at Tenaya Elementary not Tioga High School as stated in the Spring Quarter newsletter.)

Museum Docents
Orientation Session

by Rosemary Adams - Publicity

      Our Museum recently held an Orientation Session for our docents, wherein the operations of the Museum were reviewed.  The session was presented by Ina Rathert, Museum Operations; Jane Dees, Chairperson of the Museum Oversight Committee, and Rich Hathaway, Displays and Exhibits Overseer.  The session offered a detailed view of the operations of the Museum dating back to its early days (the 1990s).  STCHS worked to put together a committee to develop interest in the project, fire up the community on the ideas brought to them through communication, and LAST BUT NOT LEAST—TO RAISE FUNDS!!!
      This fine body was successful and in May 2001 our Museum was opened.  It has been a major asset for the area and has drawn visitors from all over the world – TRULY!
       Our docents are a particular asset to our Museum for they serve as guides and informants to our visitors.  Their efforts are much appreciated

Gamble Block
Wells Fargo Building Update

by Marc Fossum

      The 1850s California Gold Rush Era stone building located in Big Oak Flat is now fully fenced with locked gates surrounding it.  My thanks go out to the many STCHS volunteers who have contributed a total of 276 hours to date in cleaning, weeding, pruning, securing and fencing the site.  We feel the fencing and security systems we have installed will detour vandals and vagrants that have been accelerating the deterioration of the two buildings on the site.  Our next goal is to clean out the debris in the stone building.
       In April of this year STCHS submitted a grant request to the Planning Department of Tuolumne County.  Our request was approved by the County Historic Preservation Review Commission, the Planning Department and later the County Board of Supervisors.  This step does not approve the grant but gains the endorsement of the above county offices in addition to their assistance in writing the grant.  The requested grant is federal money and comes through the National Parks Department.  It is part of the Preserve America Program.  We are requesting approximately $20,000 in grant money and we must match it with another $20,000 of our own funds or “in kind” donations.  We will use the grant to contract with an architectural firm that specializes in the restoration of historical buildings.  The firm will conduct a thorough assessment of the site and the two buildings we intend to preserve.  The assessment will include an archeological survey of the site that will determine if there is any evidence of prehistoric use or habitation.  Through the assessment we will also be able to determine if the adjacent highway traffic is causing damage to the buildings through seismic vibration.  When the assessment and surveys are complete we will have in our possession a comprehensive document that will spell out, detail by detail, what we must do to restore the buildings to a level where public access is allowable.  The document will also include cost estimates for every phase of restoration.  This step in the project is necessary and we have arrived at a point where we must obtain this information to proceed with the project.  I will share the results of the assessment when it is complete.

Living History Day

by Dodie Harte

      Set aside Saturday, October 3, to enjoy and take part in the 3rd annual Living History Day sponsored by the Southern Tuolumne County Historical Society.  The event will take place in the courtyard of the museum in downtown Groveland.  Admission is free to this family event.  This is an interactive and educational living history day.  Attendees may participate and try their hand at gold panning, candle making, weaving, spinning, and rope making, just to name a few of the activities being demonstrated.  Children can play games from the 1800s, make corn husk dolls or make a wristband out of pine nuts as the Native Americans did.  Food will be cooking in Dutch ovens over an open fire and other food will be available.  The local ladies are putting together their best baked goods for the bake sale.  Be on the lookout for strolling minstrels who will entertain you.  The local herbalist will also be on hand to talk about plant remedies for your poison oak rash and other minor ailments.  Hard Luck Lin will entertain with stories of the Gold Rush days.  If you wish to know more about how to find your ancestors come and talk to the experts from the local genealogy group.
      Sandy Smith and her ilting buddies are stitching a lovely quilt to be raffled off during the event.  Tickets will be on sale a month beforehand at the museum and Yosemite Bank and on October 3.  The museum will be open so if you have not been there before or have not seen the newest exhibits plan to spend some time.  The library will also be having a used book sale that day.
      If you are interested in helping or would like to demonstrate an old-time skill such as blacksmithing, woodworking, basket making, etc., please call Dodie Harte at 962-7425.  We also need a burro or mule to pull the grinding rock around the arastra which was used to grind the gold ore.
       If you have any ideas that would contribute to bringing history alive please contact Dodie.  This will be a fun day for visitors and participants alike.

Historic Photographs

by Marc Fossum

    STCHS is seeking historic photographs of the Southern Tuolumne County area that we may borrow to reproduce and maintain in our library of photographs.  The photos will be electronically stored and made available for viewing through our website and at the museum.  The copies will not be available for sale unless specific permission to do so is received from the donor.  Our intention is to preserve the images for educational and public appreciation.  We are currently assembling a significant photo display to be featured at our public Labor Day BBQ this September.  We hope to present photographs never seen before of Groveland, Big Oak Flat, logging and mining activities, and the working ranches that made up our area in days gone by.
     If you have some old photos in your collection of family heirlooms we would be eternally grateful if you were to allow STCHS to preserve them for eternity and share them with current and future generations.  To participate in this project please deliver your photos to Marc Fossum at Yosemite Bank or stop by the Museum to drop them off.  We will inventory your photos, issue you a “claim check” and then return them to you in about two weeks.  Through this project we hope to develop a photo library containing a full visual history of Southern Tuolumne County.

Wine Cruise

by Jane Dees

      Hope by this time everyone has purchased their Wine Tasting Cruise tickets and are just waiting for that special day when you finally get to catch a water taxi at Pine Mountain Lake’s LAKE LODGE and start cruising!  Just in case you don’t have your ticket and have decided you do not want to miss this fun-filled event, give me a call at 209-962-5210 to see if any tickets are still available.
      Would you do me a favor please?  It would be great if all STCHS members would thank our Wine Cruise SPONSORS, WINERIES and those furnishing our appetizers.  Please let them know how much we all appreciate their support, contributions and involvement in making this event the success that it has become.  We could not do this without them!

WINERIES                   APPETIZER PROVIDERS
Frog’s Tooth                  Buck Meadows Restaurant
Gnekow Family Winery       Charlotte Hotel
Irish Vineyards                     The Cub Inn
Ironstone Vineyards              Dori’s Tea Cottage
Mt. Brow                              Good To Go
Muir-Hanna                           Groveland Hotel
Twisted Oak Winery             Hotel Jeffrey
                                               Sierra Olive Oil

SPONSORS
Black Oak Casino
Edward Jones/Mary and Vince Caporale
Ken’s Asphalt
Modesto European                  CONTRIBUTORS
Mother Lode Tree Service        Pak-N-Save
The Tire Shop                           Yosemite Chamber
Yosemite Bank                             of Commerce

      Now let’s all hope that May 30, 2009 turns out to be one of those perfectly beautiful, spectacular days that we have up here on THE HILL.

       On April 23 the Southern Tuolumne County Historical Society (STCHS) took possession of a set of California Gold Rush dioramas that were housed in the State Museum Resource warehouses in Sacramento.  The dioramas are life-size depictions of various gold mining activities of the 1850s illustrating the cultural diversity of “life in the mines.”  The dioramas were created by the Oakland Museum and have been on display throughout the country.  Recently the Oakland Museum donated them to the State Museum and the dioramas were put in storage in Sacramento.  Early last year STCHS was made aware that the dioramas may be available to a “good home.”  A small group of STCHS supporters went to Sacramento to view the dioramas and assess whether they were in reasonable condition and something STCHS may be able to use for future displays.  The findings were positive and earlier this year a contingent of STCHS directors and other local supporters took a field trip to Sacramento to meet with the State Museum Warehouse curators and negotiate a deal to transfer the dioramas to Southern Tuolumne County.  The dioramas are being stored in Big Oak Flat at a temporary facility pending a long- term storage location .            
      The dioramas are made up of numerous fixed scenes with a variety of interchangeable props and life-size mannequins.  We envision using these items to create a variety of different displays.  The first anticipated public display will be on September 6, 2009 at the Pine Mountain Lake Stables with the Labor Day BBQ STCHS will be hosting.

Labor Day Country BBQ

by Claudia Day

       Come join us at STCHS' first country barbecue fundraiser at the Pine Mountain Lake Stables. Set for Sunday, September 6 from 11-6.
This will be the largest gathering of STCHS members and supporters throughout the community since the opening of our Museum/Library nearly a decade ago.  With your help we can make this an annual event to help fund the restoration of the 1852 Gold Rush era Wells Fargo Building in Big Oak Flat and other projects needing funding
      The event will include a tri-tip and chicken BBQ “with all the fix’ns,” live entertainment, horse events, kids’ activities, car show, historical displays, photos and artifacts, raffles, and a bake sale.

Volunteers Needed!

      If you would like to help out with the event or for more information please call Claudia at (209) 770-2881.  (Corporate sponsorships available–great  advertising opportunity!  And tax deductible too!)

Memorial Contributions
February-April 2009

In Memory of Sarah Anne Washburn
      Carolyn Piper
      Ruth Kraenzel

In Memory of Vi Kundrotas
      James and Ruth Kraenzel
      Jean S. Richardson
      Pine Cone Singers
      Fred and Harriet Causey

In Memory of Harry Maier
      Ina Rathert
      Jerry and Grace Dickson

In Memory of Greta Weber-Sturm
      Jerry and Grace Dickson

In Memory of Florence Urban
      Jerry and Grace Dickson

In Memory of Dick Parker
      Dick and Dotty Davis

In Memory of Don Baker
      Dick and Dotty Davis