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TIMELY EXPOSURES, The Life and Images of C.C. Curtis, Pioneer California Photographer - by Jackie Weiner

Hardback w/dust jacket, this 158-page book is more than a biography of famous photographer Charles Clifford Curtis (1862-1956). It is filled with over 125 black and white photographs—many rare and being shared for the first time! 

THE SIERRA NEVADA BEFORE HISTORY, Ancient Landscapes, Early Peoples - by Louise A. Jackson

This is the unique story of the southern High Sierra region’s beginnings—the building of the mountain range, the development of its climate and ecosystems, and thousands of years of prehistoric human habitation. Soft cover with 176 pages, enhanced with numerous historical photos and illustrations.

FLOODS OF THE KAWEAH - by the Sequoia Natural History Association in partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers

This book details the Kaweah River and its floods. By California standards, the Kaweah is not a particularly large river, yet it is capable of producing violent deluges of amazing power. This soft cover book, 8 x 11, is filled with great text material accompanied by wonderful old photographs.

YOKOHL—A HISTORY OF ITS PEOPLE AND THEIR CULTURE - by Scott Barker

This is a well-referenced book about a beautiful little valley in Tulare County east of Exeter and Lindsay. Yokohl Valley is rich in history and even though parts of its story have been told, this is the first comprehensive book detailing Yokohl’s colorful characters. Barker’s story-telling style makes it an easy and fun read. This soft cover book contains 266 pages including a comprehensive index and wonderful historical photographs.

 

VISALIA THEN AND NOW - by Terry L. Ommen

In the fall of 1852, hardy pioneers camped among the oaks along a meandering creek in an area known as Four Creek Country. There, in the fertile soil surrounded by abundant water, Visalia took root. Today the county seat of Tulare County is the oldest San Joaquin Valley town between Stockton and Los Angeles, and is the gateway to Sequoia National Park. In this amazing trip through time, Visalia historian Terry L. Ommen carefully traces the rich history of the town through rare and contemporary photographs. Soft cover, 96 pages.

TALES FROM THE TOMB DVD - Tulare County Historical Society's 2009 Living History Program at Smith Mountain Cemetery. Dallas Pattee, Cemetery Historian and Tales From the Tomb creator is your hostess. She carefully researched and wrote the scripts for the characters: Jeanette Jordan Blakemore, Robert Lee Hill, Henry Clay Horsman, Mary Alice Hart Kirkland and John Dexter Ruggles. Actors Debbie Walker, Brent Gill, Richard Morrill, Ginger Barszcz and Robert Langarica are entertaining as they make history come alive!     

MEMORY IN BRONZE DVD - The Hugh M. Mooney Statue Project Documentary (2006) tells the story of an historic act of benevolence and the people who desired to honor it. In 1909 when the Valley Oak trees of Tulare County, California were being eliminated at an alarming rate, Hugh Michael Mooney acted to preserve his own beautiful 100-acre grove for the benefit of future generations. Over time, Mooney Grove Park has served as the time-honored Mecca for those seeking shade, solace and fun. Ninety-five years later, the Tulare County Historical Society initiated the formidable task of honoring this man and his contribution to the community. Beginning with Mooney Family history and ending with the dedication and unveiling of the Hugh M. Mooney Statue in Mooney Grove Park on June 3, 2006, this documentary covers the many aspects of this momentous project.

Topics addressed in this documentary include: History of Mooney Family, "The Pioneer" and "End of the Trail" statues, the Tulare County Historical Society, Hugh M. Mooney statue committee, casting process of the statue, Mooney Grove Park, Tulare County Museum, Mooney Family descendents, sculptor of the Hugh M. Mooney statue, statue site construction and the dedication and unveiling of the statue.

THE WAY IT WAS - by Annie R. Mitchell

First published in 1976. A limited 4th printing (2002) is now available, which celebrates our 2002 Sesquicentennial with a Special 150th Anniversary Edition cover. Hardbound with 165 pages of text and illustrations, this book eloquently depicts the colorful history of Tulare County.

VISALIA - HER FIRST 50 YEARS - by Annie R. Mitchell

First printed in 1963. This 2nd printing (2002) is a limited Sesquicentennial Edition and displays the 150th Visalia and Tulare County Anniversary Celebration logo on its soft cover. With 55 pages of text and illustrations, this book offers a wonderful history of Visalia's early years.

TRAIN ROBBERS & TRAGEDIES, The Complete Story of Chris Evans, California Outlaw - by Harold "Lee" Edwards

Popular Los Tulares contributor and well-known author, Lee provides an in-depth biographical account of Chris Evans, California's premier outlaw who led a valley-wide crime spree with partner John Sontag. Evans and Sontag were suspected of committing several train robberies in Tulare County and were pursued by lawmen, posses and man-hunters. The two hid for months until they were finally ambushed by lawmen at "Stone Corral." Well researched and profusely illustrated, Lee has detailed a most accurate account of this outlaw's life in this 2003 publication.

MICHAEL MOONEY 1828-1881 (Vol.1) - by William R. Allen

Originally published in 2002 and reprinted in 2008, gives detailed history of Michael Mooney, his family and friends. Has 150 pages of text and wonderful photos.

MOONEY'S OAK GROVE 1906-2003 (Vol.2) - by William R. Allen

Follows with the story of Michael Mooney's Oak Grove in Tulare County, California. You'll certainly appreciate this 268 page publication to complete the set. Published in 2003, there's lots of photographs and a complete history of Mooney Grove Park.                                               

THE MAN WHO COULD DODGE LIGHTNING - by Ben Harris

Published by Tulare County Historical Society in 1995, this 27-page booklet is an entertaining account from mountain man Ben Harris. It gives the reader tall tales of the Sierra as told by Ben Harris 1850-1933 and collected by Joseph E. Doctor. Ben boasted he was "the biggest liar in the Sierra," meaning he was the best teller of tall tales.

WHEELERS, POINTERS AND LEADERS - by Monroe C. Griggs

Published by Tulare County Historical Society in 1956, this is a real contribution to our history. Griggs came to Tulare County in 1876 as a boy of nine. When he wasn't herding hogs beneath the Valley Oak trees on the family's first ranch, Griggs was helping his father as a swamper, hauling shakes, posts and lumber out of the mountains. At an early age, he acquired his own team and wagon and went into business for himself. 

LIVING BIOGRAPHY DVD / VIDEOS

Annie R. Mitchell - Historian, Author, Educator (1997): In this biography researched by Terry Ommen and produced by Jim Treganza, Miss Mitchell reflects upon her historical literary achievements and her early days as an educator. Alan George coordinated the project for the Society. The theme song, "Back Porch Swing," is by Lorie Line with her Pop Chamber Orchestra.

Joe Doctor - Country Journalist (1997): In the late summer of 1993, the wit and wisdom of 82-year-old journalist Joe Doctor was preserved for posterity by KVPT Public Broadcasting near Tulare County's renowned Charter Oak Tree. Tragically, the man and the tree were lost in 1995, when the oak fell to the ground on July 12 and Joe passed away on August 24. Both were in good health at the time of the interview, however, and Joe narrated history in rare form as he sat in the shade of the ancient valley oak, with the wind and the noisy woodpeckers competing with his voice for attention. Annie Mitchell, another Tulare County icon of history, also comments on the life of Joe Doctor throughout the presentation.

Legacy in the Land: Captures the lives of Ken and Clara Wilcox Rutherford. It covers a great deal of early Tulare County history and the strong involvement the Rutherford and Wilcox families played in Tulare County's development. Included are Ken's and Clara's dedication to agriculture and the cattle industry.

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