Basic Information : Synopsis : Expectations : Thoughts : Evaluation : Book References : Good Quotes : Table of Contents : References
Basic Information:
Author: Helen Clingan, Forest Clingan
Edition: Softcover from the Fresno Cunty Public Library
Publisher: Pioneer Pub. Co.
ISBN: 0914330772 (ISBN13: 9780914330776)
Start Date: August 5, 2020
Read Date: August 10, 2020
95 pages
Genre: History, Biography, Local
Language Warning: None
Rated Overall: 3 out of 5
History: 3 out of 5
Synopsis (Caution: Spoiler Alert-Jump to Thoughts):
The Clingan’s walk through the history and background of places to the west of Grant Grove, but also includes Hume Lake. They are principally oriented towards the settlers after the gold rush through about 1945. But there is a section on the Indians of the area as well as when there were interactions with the settlers.
- Recommendation: Wendy G
- When: June 13, 2020
- Date Became Aware of Book: Way before that
- How come do I want to read this book: Local history, particularly of the places which I do fire lookout
- What do I think I will get out of it? Better understanding of the people behind the place names
Thoughts:
Introduction
The author’s, who are Clingan’s, give a bit of background to who they are and their relationship to the area. They have been part of the area since the early 1900’s when the Dad was a forest ranger. They have been friends with many of the early families of the area.
Indians
The area was inhabited by the Yokuts and Mono Indians. The latter more in trade than in residence. The Yokuts were more numerous until settlers came in bringing diseases they were not used to as well as property claims which displaced the Yokuts.
Their language and communications are talked about. It was observed that much of their sounds was imitation of natural sounds. Distance or length might be indicated by elongating a sound. Also smoke signals were used to communicate over long distances.
Discussion about Hospital Rock.
Customs such as dances were talked about. Such as the Rattlesnake and Ghost Dances were done to remove hostile strangers.
Mountain Men and Explorers
Talks about Jedediah Smith, John C Fremont, Kit Carson, John Woodhouse Audubon, WIlliam Brewer, and Shorty Lovelace. None in great detail. In some cases, just touching that they were in the area.
One note, there is a Father Narciso Duran of Mission San Jose talked about in conjunction with Jedediah Smith. I do not think he is a long lost relative or anything. But I have seen his name before in exploring the SouthWest.
Gold
A couple more short biographies, but not as well known: William Garner and John Shippe (Schipe/Schippe). Also a section on mining claims.
Wonder Valley
Covers the area, including Dalton Mountain and the Dalton Gang, and the Elwood family-I have wondered about the road.
Squaw Valley
The authors now go up the range a bit, covering Squaw Valley and its components, such as the Burt and Drake families, Santa Rita Mission School, and the Squaw Valley School and Post Office.
Dunlap
Next up the mountain is Dunlap and its history, which includes the Work, Clingan, Houghtons and Foster families, those who came from the Mussel Slough fight-which gets us to Sontag and Evans, and the Dunlap School and Hotel.
Lumbering
Talks about the various places where lumbering took place in the region: Sequoia, Millwood, and Hume. The most “fun” in the book is in this section talking about riding the flumes with a special boat made to ride in the flume.
Miramonte and Pinehurst
A brief overview of these communities. Originally started as lumbering lodging.
Kings Canyon and the Park
Background on the early doings before these places became a park. Not comprehensive. Talks about Camp Kanawyer, the Kaweah Colony, and a resort.
Bibliography
Locations on my outdoors blog which I have either updated or created.
- Wonder Valley - created
- Squaw Valley - Updated
- Dunlap - Created
- Hospital Rock - Updates
- Sampson - Update
- Delilah - Update
- Sans Baker - Create
- Also others
Evaluation:
If you are looking for a history book, which is totally researched, footnoted and can stand scholarly scrutiny, this is not the book for you. On the other hand, if you want to sit by the fireplace and listen to the stories of the area west of Grant Grove, you could do a lot worse than this book.
Helen Clingan, whose husband is a descendant of one of the rangers in the area, wrote this book to lay down some of the background to places in the area around Dunlap, CA. A popular place on the way to Grant Grove is called Clingan’s Junction. While no longer owned by the family, the name persists. With this book, you understand the background of this place and many others surrounding it.
The stories are told in an easy to read style in a folksy manner. So sit back, enjoy
Book References:
- There is a bibliography at the end of the book.
- Death Valley in ‘49 by William Manley
- Handbook of Yokuts Indians by Frank Latta
- Up and Down California In 1860-1864 by William Brewer
Good Quotes:
- First Line:It is a hard climb up out of the valley into the oaks of the foothills, to the pines above, sometimes to timberline and beyond.
- Last Line: Next to chart the off-side swirls and eddies, the stories of a Spanish camp, and the leaning chimneys and stone ruins that still stand.
- Introduction
- Indians
- Mountain Men and Explorers
- Gold
- Wonder Valley
- Squaw Valley
- Dunlap
- Lumbering
- Miramonte and Pinehurst
- Kings Canyon and the Park
- Bibliography
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