Map of the Flat on pg. 12-13
Join us in Kernville February 12-15, 2010
February 2010
Whiskey Flat, Calif.
FREE
Welcome to Whiskey Flat Days! Enjoy the old-fashioned fun as the California Gold Rush town of Kernville returns to its 1860-64 roots when it was “Whiskey Flat” Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper
Let your mind go back in time, back 150 years when the California was a state only 12 years old, when large portions of it were still Spanish land grants. The mighty Kern River splashed unfettered by concrete, dams or controls of any kind, down to a swampy San Joaquin Valley. The swampland down below, a vast area known as Tulare Lake, was full of tule reeds and was home to millions of birds. The people of the day reported seeing clouds of birds in the sky so thick that they blotted out the sun. In those days there was little travel in the San Joaquin Valley itself, because of the almost impassable land. Travel existed mainly in the foothills, where rivers and streams still had to be forded, but riding by horseback or muleback was much easier. Gold had been discovered at about the same time California had become one of the United States. Gold seekers came from every corner of the world, many by sailing ship into the port of San Francisco. They streamed overland into the interior portions of California. They supplied themselves with provisions at Visalia, and then aimed themselves and their wagons at the Sierra Nevada. Gold was rumored to have been discovered at a place where two forks of a big river met, a place called the Kern River Valley.
Inside: • Map of the Whiskey Flat Days activities • Old Whiskey Flat history – a timeline • Photos of Old Kernville • frog jumping contest frog handicaps • lots of old-time fun and good times!
Murdoc Douglas/Special to the Claim Jumper
Cover your ears when the gunfighters come to town during Whiskey Flat Days. But enjoy the festivities, the food, the contests, the music and the fun!
They streamed over the Greenhorn Mountains that formed the western boundary of the valley, their wagons slowed on the downhill side by big logs cut for that pur-
pose. They came in mainly through Keyesville and down over the route that is now State Highway 155.
Exactly where was Old Whiskey Flat? Kern River Courier
Murdoc Douglas/Special to the Claim Jumper
The candidates for 2010 Honorary Mayor of Whiskey Flat are “Tenderfoot Tony” Plante, “Cimarron Cynthia” Burciaga, and “Turncoat Chris” Brayman.
Meet the candidates for Mayor Kern River Courier
A big part of the Whiskey Flat Days celebration is the mayor race. Each year, community minded citizens agree to hit the campaign trail as candidates for Honorary Mayor of Whiskey Flat. It’s a fictitious position, of course, because Whiskey Flat exists only in the past. But there is a lure to being a candidate for honorary mayor.. Each of the candidates is raising money for their special causes. The one who raises the most money gets the title, but all candidates should be honored for their effort. Cimarron Cynthia’s causes are Kern Valley High School’s ECHO Academy, which trains high school students for careers in health care occupations, and the KRV Rotary Club. Turncoat Chris is raising money for the new BMX bicycle park in Kernville. And Tenderfoot Tony is supporting Kern Valley Youth Football and Cheer.
A lot of visitors wonder, as they enjoy Whiskey Flat Days in the town of New Kernville, exactly where the town of Old Kernville was. They know the original location is out in the lake bed, but exactly where was Whiskey Flat? A clue to where Whiskey Flat was is the old part of the Kern River Valley Cemetery, which was a part of Old Kernville originally and is now part of the town of Wofford Heights. Wofford Heights is adjacent to the former site of Old Kernville. Wofford Heights is named after an old-time rancher by the name of Irven Wofford, who sold off part of his ranch to valley folks who needed new places to live when the lake went in during the early 1950s. Old Kernville was located just to the northeast of Wofford Heights. Look in the lake bed just south of the Old Cemetery and you’ll see foundations. Those were part of Old Kernville. There are still people in New Kernville who can tell you what buildings those foundations belonged to. Many of them serve as docents at the Kern Valley Museum in Kernville, just down from the post office. In years when the lake is higher, you can’t see the foundations at all. They’re covered by the waters of Isabella Lake. But in lower water years, the former location of Old Kernville/Whiskey Flat is visible again. The lake recedes and little sandy flat where Old Kernville was becomes much as it was, withe the placid Kern River bisecting the flat area as it did in the old times.
Whiskey Flat Days Grand Parade • Saturday, 11 a.m. • Grand Marshals – Kay Parker and Helen Witt • Theme– “Callin’ All Cowboys” • Floats, equestrian riders, gunfighters, VIPs, animals, clowns, and more!
In the year 1860 a man by the name of Adam Hamilton was one of those who made the trip over the Greenhorn Mountains. He was an American entrepreneur who decided to make himself a bit of money by selling what many of the miners craved after a hard day’s work – a drink of spirits. So he led his burro laden with two barrels of whiskey down the eastern side of the Greenhorns. He had heard about a gold strike at the bottom of the gulch he was traveling down. It was some mighty wellpaying ore, and there were a lot of miners working in a mine called the Big Blue. So Hamilton found the center of the mining camp, found a plank of wood, set it across his two barrels and started selling his whiskey. Unfortunately, the spot he picked was in the middle of folks who did not care for the evils of spirits. They asked him to move his makeshift bar away from that spot, and he did. The spot he picked was on a little sandy flat next to the river, now more placid than it was higher up in the mountains. The miners started moving their own camps down closer to his establishment. As the ones who enjoyed a tipple now and again gravitated there, a town started to grow. That town was called by several names, but the one that stuck was Whiskey Flat. Four years later, things had changed a lot. A new county, Kern County, had formed. There were houses and hotels in the town, some eating houses and a few stores. There were real streets, a dry goods store, a feed stable, some saloons, a blacksmith shop and a brewery. The town was now too civilized to be called Whiskey Flat any more. So it was renamed. The name that they chose was Kernville. Kernville in its original location existed for almost 100 years. It survived the years when the gold ran out. The citizenry switched to ranching and similar pursuits. Kernville saw the coming of hydropower plants put in to serve the electricity-hungry city of Los Angeles.
See THE FLAT, Page 7
Page 2
2010 Claim Jumper
When Old Kernville was Whiskey Flat A timeline
Kern River Valley timeline 1834-1953
A year-by-year history of Old Kernville (formerly Whiskey Flat) 1853: Prospectors start looking for gold in area south of future Whiskey Flat/Old Kernville. Gold Rush had been on since 1848. 1855: A 42-ounce gold nugget is found in area now known as Hungry Gulch/Boulder Gulch Campgrounds, just south of the future Whiskey Flat/Old Kernville. Gold fever is on in Kern River Valley. Over 5,000 men make their way here. 1860: A man named Lovely Rogers finds a rock with flecks of gold in it just north of what would soon be called Whiskey Flat. Rogers works his claim. (This claim would later be known as the Big Blue Mine, one of the biggest-paying gold mines in the area.) 1860: Joe Caldwell builds a house near the mine. Adam Hamilton comes in and pitches a tent across the road from Caldwell’s house and sets up a couple of barrels with a board across them for a bar. Caldwell and his Vintage photo courtesy of Chuck Barbee friends are not the whiskey-drinking type, and Hamilton is asked to move his operation a Old Kernville looking southeast, probably around the 1870s. The high mile or so south on a little flat by the river. ground where this was taken is most likely near where the road from Hamilton does so and calls it Whiskey Flat. Wofford Heights to Kernville is today. Most of the miners follow him and a town begins there. 1861: Toll road built over Greenhorn Mountains down into Whiskey Flat. 1862: Post office comes to Whiskey Flat. 1863: Whiskey Flat grows. Town founder Adam Hamilton establishes a private school. 1863: U.S. soldiers sent to Kern River Valley to investigate Indians. This leads to massacre of about 35 male members of the Tubatulabal tribe where Tilly Creek empties into the Kern River, just south of Whiskey Flat. 1864: Name of Whiskey Flat changed to (Old ) Kernville. 1868: Kernville School District formed with building of first Kernville School. Adam Hamilton, founder of Whiskey Flat, was clerk. 1868: Flood sweeps through Kernville, damaging mine workings. See KERNVILLE, Page 4
1834: Explorer by name of Joseph R. Walker, scout for the U.S. Army, comes over pass at east end of Kern River Valley/South Fork Valley, looking for a relatively snow-free year-round pass through the Sierra. 1845: Fremont party visits Kern River Valley. One of party was mapmaker Edward M. Kern. 1848: Gold discovered in Northern California. 1850: Gold seekers scour lower Kern River and other areas in and near Kern River Valley. 1854: Glennville established on trail to Kern River diggings. 1861: Thomas Hooper Smith establishes Smith Ranch in South Fork Valley. 1861: William Scodie opens store later to be known as the Onyx Store. 1 1866: Hot Springs House built in modern-day town of Lake Isabella. 1870s: Stagecoach line crosses Sierras through Walker’s Pass. 1871: Weldon Post Office estabished at Forsyth Ranch. 1871: A. Brown purchases Forsyth Ranch. 1871: N.P. Petersen takes up land on the South Fork of the Kern. 1873: Building built in Weldon used by Presbyterian Church and Grange. 1873: Original South Fork School built. 1875: Scodie’s Store in Onyx robbed by infamous bandit Tibercio Vasquez.
See VALLEY, Page 7
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2010 Claim Jumper
page 3
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Page 4
KERNVILLE continued from page 2 1869: Andy Brown purchases a brick store building in middle of Kernville and opens A. Brown Store. 1871: Big Blue Mine in steady operation with a 16 stamp mill going.. 1872: Odd Fellows Kernville lodge founded. (Still active.) 1873: Little town of Kernville is growing, with population doubling in five months. 1874: Big Blue Mine’s 16 stamp mill replaced with 80 stamp mill. 1874: Sawmill built high on Greenhorn Mountain, west of Kernville. Road constructed between sawmill and Old Kernville (now known as Sawmill Road). 1876: Surface tramway for Big Blue Mine built; parts of roadbed for track can still be seen from the highway south of New Kernville. 1876: Harley Mine started near today’s New Kernville. Tramway built to lower ore down mountainside. 1877: Six or seven stores now in Old Kernville, with four saloons, a brewery, three hotels, a livery stable, and other businesses and homes. 1882: Harley Mine Tramway cable breaks in horrific accident, killing two and signaling end of Harley Mine. 1883: Fire destroys Sumner Shaft of Big Blue Mine, shaft collapses and is rendered unworkable. 1884: Big Blue Mine sold at Sheriff's auction in Bakersfield. Mining era in valley starts to decline. 1891: Petersen's Kernville Hotel burns, taking 22 houses with it. 1896: Albia Curliss homesteads a ranch five miles north of Old Kernville that would become New Kernville 50 years later. 1898: First permanent church in Old Kernville built, the Kernville Methodist Church. 1901: Borel power plant work begins in the Kern River Canyon. A canal feedning the power plant would have an intake near Old Kernville. 1902-04: Edison Company purchases ranches around Old Kernville to obtain water rights for Borel canal. (Date approximate.) 1910: Edison Company builds road up the Kern River north of the future site of New Kernville to construct an intake for another future power plant there. 1912: Telephone line connects Old Kernville with rest of valley. 1913: Fire in Big Blue Mine drainage tunnel, which came out close to the river near the cemetery just north of Old Kernville, kills three miners. 1914: Kernville Library established, books kept in the old A. Brown Store. 1916: Matt Burlando buys the ranch upriver from Old Kernville that would in the early 1950s become New Kernville. 1919: Construction begins on KR3 power plant near Burlando Ranch (modernday New Kernville). 1920: Hub of KR3 power plant job is Headquarters Camp on Kern River. Name kept when the Forest Service later built a campground on that spot. Other campground names on Upper Kern have similar history. 1921: KR3 power plant completed. 1928: Hollywood finds the Kern Valley and Old Kernville a perfect place to shoot Western movies (date approximate). 1928: Kern County Sportsmen group builds trout rearing ponds on Burlando
2010 Claim Jumper
What in the world is this rag and who the heck is responsible? The publication you’re holding is called the Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper. It’s published once year, especially for the Whiskey Flat Days festival. For a few days in February, Kernville residents pretend it’s the 1860-1864 era of the Gold Rush, when the town went by its original name, Whiskey Flat. The Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper is put out by the folks who publish the Kern River Courier, a weekly newspaper in Wofford Heights. If you like this Claim Jumper, be sure to check out the Courier. It’s a free newspaper, available for pickup all over the valley every week. Or if you want the convenience of getting the Courier in your mail, you may want to subscribe. Get the Kern River Courier in your mailbox every week and find out what’s happening here in the beautiful Kern River Valley. It’s only $35 a year, less than $3 a month. And the Claim Jumper is a free annual bonus. Here’s a list of some of the Courier folks and friends who contributed to this year’s Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper. (If your name isn’t here, forgive us!) Mike Devich, Michael Batelaan, Mike Ludiker, Sara Wakeman, Val Minoux, Murdoc Douglas, Chuck Barbee, Bodfish Bob, Melody Batelaan, the folks at the Kernville Chamber of Commerce, and too many others to list. If you’d like to make a comment on the Claim Jumper or get a hold of us at the Courier, here’s our contact information: Mail: P.O. Box 1145, Wofford Heights, CA 93285. Phone: (760) 376-2860. Fax: (760) 376-2862. E-mail: office@kernrivercourier.com
Ranch (later New Kernville). 1929: Trout rearing ponds moved upriver, Kernville Fish Hatchery begins. 1929: Bert James buys Bechtel's grocery store in Old Kernville, calls it Bert's Store (ancestor of James Sierra Gateway Markets.) 1930: Movie Street built in Old Kernville, parallel to Kernville's main street, to accommodate the Western movie shoots. (Date approximate.) 1932: Kernville Union School District formed. 1937: New scenic road from Old Kernville to Johnsondale dedicated. 1938: Camp Owen started in Burlando Ranch area (later New Kernville). 1941: Kern Valley High School opens across river from Old Kernville. 1942: Old Kernville’s Movie Street dismantled and moved to desert to be used for army maneuvers. 1942: McNally family starts operating Fairview On The Kern upriver from Old Kernville. Steakhouse there still bears their name. 1948: Town of Wofford Heights started. 1948: Army Corps of Engineers starts getting ready to build a dam across the Kern River just south of Old Kernville. Old Kernville and Old Isabella prepare to move to higher ground. 1953: Dam across Kern River completed, and lake begins to form. New Kernville, New Isabella and Wofford Heights start to grow. (Information obtained from writings by Bob Powers, Ken Wortley, Elizabeth P. Brady and Ardis Walker.)
2010 Claim Jumper
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Origins of Whiskey Flat Days Bob Powers (from “North Country,” 1974) Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper
Fork
The town of Old Kernville, formerly called Whiskey Flat, is not forgotten. Each year it is relived in the Whiskey Flat Celebration in February. As in most mountain resort towns, there is a time each spring before the start of tourist season when the economy needs a boost. Lloree Knowles, a local real estate broker, was the first to recommend that the community use a frontiertype celebration to try to bring more people into the Valley during this slack period. Use of the name "Whiskey Flat Days" for the celebration was suggested by Ardis Walker, local author and historian, in order to tie it with the town's historic past. This pioneer-type celebration was started in 1957 by the Kernville Business Association, which later became the Kernville Chamber of Commerce. Lloree Knowles was chairman of this first Whiskey Flat Days Committee, and those who served her were Ardis Walker, president of the Kernville Business Association, Murray and Zora Knight, Jack Gray, George Stengardt, Erina Hackley, Carl Weber, James Meredith, George Artman, Sim Barnes, Barbara Hed, and LaVida Yeargan. The first celebration ran from a Wednesday through Sunday in late March. And with a lot of hard work on the part of many of the local citizens, it was termed a success. Each year brought forth more events to make the annual celebration a little bigger and better. In 1958 the Whiskey Flat Committee decided to hold an election for an Honorary Mayor of Whiskey Flat. The outcome of the election was to depend
Murdoc Douglas/Special to the Claim Jumper
The Grand Parade is the highlight of Whiskey Flat Days, held each February in Kernville to celebrate its former name in 1860-64, Whiskey Flat.
on how many votes the candidate sold at ten cents per vote. The price per vote was raised in later years to fifty cents per vote. In addition to bringing in many extra dollars to promote the event, it did a great deal to get not only the locals, but visitors also into the mood of the celebration. Murray Knight was the first acting mayor, and he mid his wife, Zora, became a very colorful part of the earliest of these celebrations. This was also the year the cancan girls in their authentic costumes became part of the publicity team. In 1959, Barbara Hed became the first lady mayor. Campaigning as the "Pink Lady," she had the support of a bevy of can-can girls. In 1973, after fifteen years of mayor campaigns, there was one who stood out
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head and shoulders above all those who held the office before or after him. This was Fred Kirste. Known as "Forthright Fred," he served as honorary mayor for the years of 1967, 1968, and again in 1972. Fred tirelessly spent countless hours of his own time, as well as many dollars from his own pocket, promoting Whiskey Flat Days. The mayor campaign added much to the color and excitement of Whiskey Flat Days, Part of the prospective mayor's campaign included articles that appeared in the local newspapers. The following "Bull-a-Ton" sent in by myself, “Bull Run” Bob Powers, during my campaign for mayor is typical of the nature of this event: "I, 'Bull Run Bob' Powers, after
lengthy deliberation have bowed to the will of the people to debark on a winnin' campaine for mayore of Whiskey Flat. It is my feelen that this society, or any grate society can long indure without drastic changes. But, indeed, we are in a period of unrest that cries for solutions. "As your next Mayore, I promise to provide these simpel, yet unquestionably good ansers to problems that have plaged us. "Be it known that my platform will be one of simplicity, good horsesence, and fare play. Not only will teritorial problems be solved, but I will bring to Whiskey Flat a new aira of properity. "To provide these betterments, the following will be inacted: "1. After the county seat was swiped by the flat-landers of Bakersfield in 1874 from one of hour most outstanding mountain communities, it is only fitten and proper to return it again to the mountain folk. Unbiased surveys bave showed the most desirable location, considering its growth to be the beautiful and prosperous town of Bull Run. "2. Revise the gold. standard upward to $95 per ounce, so the most famous and marginal mines of Bull Run, Harley, and Big Blue may reopen. This would take the local miners off the welfare rolls and gettum eaten regular. "3. Rebuild the tramway to the top of Harley Mountain in an attempt to spur mountain fun in the sun. This would not only provide a gorgeous view of Whiskey Flat below but give the visitor a chance to see Bull Run and walk on the head of the Sleeping Giant. "And that ain't no bull!!" The annual Whiskey Flat Days Parade with Johnnie McNally as Master of
See ORIGINS, Page 22
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Page 6
2010 Claim Jumper
Cowboy joke corner Around here, the cowboys tell cowboy jokes to each other. Those cattle camps must get real lonely. Here’s some of the clean and semiclean ones we could print.
A TEXAS TALE
A cowboy rode into town and stopped at the saloon for a drink. Unfortunately, the locals always had a habit of picking on newcomers. When he finished, he found his horse had been stolen. He came back into the bar, flipped his gun into the air, catching it above his head without even looking, and fired a shot into the ceiling. "Who stole my horse?" he yelled. No one answered. The newcomer cowboy said, "I'm gonna have another beer. If my horse ain't back outside by the time I'm finished, I'm gonna do what I done back in Texas. And I don't want to have to do what I done back in Texas!" There was some shuffling in the back of the room, but the cowboy stared at his beer. The cowboy had another beer, walked outside, and his horse was back! He saddled up and started to ride out of town. The bartender wandered out of the bar and asked, "Say partner, what happened in Texas?" The cowboy turned back and said, "I had to walk home!"
A bang up job
A tough old cowboy told his grandson that if he wanted to live a long life, the secret was to sprinkle a pinch of gunpowder on his oatmeal every morning. The grandson did this religiously to the age of 103. When he died, he left 14 children, 30 grand-children, 45 greatgrandchildren, 25 great-great-grandchildren, and a 15-foot-deep crater where the crematorium used to be.
Horse laugh
A man was driving through Texas one spring evening. The road was deserted and he had not seen a soul for what seemed like hours. Suddenly his car started to cough and splutter and the engine slowly died away, leaving him sitting by the road in total silence. He popped the hood and looked to see if there was anything that he could do to get it going again. But he had a limited knowledge of cars, so all he could do was look at the engine, feeling despondent. Suddenly, through the inky shadows, came a deep voice. "It's your fuel pump." The man jumped up, striking his head on the underside of the hood. "Who said that?" he demanded.
There were two horses standing in the field alongside. The man was amazed when the nearest of the two horses repeated, "It's your fuel pump. Tap it with your flashlight, and try it again." Confused, the man tapped the fuel pump with his flashlight, turned the key and sure enough, the engine roared into life. He muttered a short thanks to the horse and screeched away. When he reached the next town, he ran into the local bar. "Large whiskey, please!" he said. A rancher sitting at the bar looked at the man's ashen face and asked, "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost!" "It's unbelievable," the man said and recalled the whole tale to the rancher. The rancher took a sip of his beer and looked thoughtful. "A horse, you say? Was it by any chance a white horse?" The man replied to the affirmative. "Yes it was! Am I crazy?" "No, you ain't crazy. In fact, you're very lucky," said the rancher, "because the black horse don't know nothing about cars!"
Horse laugh
A kid walked up to a guy wearing a 10gallon hat, leather vest, leather chaps, and sneakers. The kid asked him, "Mr. Cowboy, why do you wear that big hat?" The cowboy replied, "Well, son, the hat protects me from hot sun and driving rain, and at night I put it over my face when I sleep on the range, so it protects me then, too." "Why do you wear that leather vest?" "It also helps to keep the weather off me, and it has pockets where I can keep my valuables." "Well, why do you wear leather chaps?" "They protect my legs when I'm driving my horse through mesquite and cactus." "Well, Mr. Cowboy," the kid finally asked, "Why do you wear sneakers?" "That's so somebody won't think I'm a damn truck driver."
Cowboy chapstick
The old cowhand came riding into town on a hot, dry, dusty day. The local sheriff watched from his chair in front of the saloon as the cowboy wearily dismounted and tied his horse to the rail a few feet in front of the sheriff. "Howdy, stranger." "Howdy, Sheriff." The cowboy then moved slowly to the back of his horse, lifted its tail, and placed a big kiss were the sun don't shine. He dropped the horse's tail, and stepped up on the walk and aimed towards the swinging doors of the
Callin’ All Cowboys
Southfork Womens Club
saloon. "Hold on there, Mister..." "Sheriff ?" "Did I just see what I think I just saw?" "Reckon you did, Sheriff. I got me some powerful chapped lips." "And that cures them?" the Sheriff asked." “Nope, but it keeps me from lickin' em,” the cowboy said, and walked into the bar.
Cowboy Talk
A cowboy walks into town and sees a sheepherder sitting on his porch with his dog. Cowboy: "Hey, cool dog. Mind if I speak to him?" Sheepherder: "Dog doesn’t talk." Cowboy: "Hey dog, how's it going?"
Dog: "Doin' alright." The sheepherder looked shocked. Cowboy: "Is this sheepherder your owner?" pointing at the sheepherder. Dog: "Yep." Cowboy: "How does he treat you?" Dog: "Real good. He walks me twice a day, feeds me great food, and takes me to the park once a week to play." The sheepherder bore a look of disbelief. Cowboy: "Mind if I talk to your horse?" Sheepherder: "Horse doesn’t talk." Cowboy: "Hey horse, how's it going?" Horse: "Cool." Again, the sheepherder looked shocked. Cowboy: "Is this your owner? " pointing at the sheepherder.
See JOKES, Page 16
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2010 Claim Jumper
page 7
THE FLAT continued from page 1 The area was later discovered by Hollywood as an ideal place to make Western movies, and from time to time stars like Tom Mix, Roy Rogers and Hopalong Cassidy could be seen here. John Wayne came here to shoot a scene for the classic “Stagecoach.” WWII came and went, and then the Kern River Valley saw something new coming in that changed the face of it forever. Kernville was told its days were numbered. Residents who had grown up here, some whose families had been here for generations, were told they had to move away. A government flood control reservoir was coming into the Kern River Valley. The citizens of Kernville were told they had to move to higher ground or have their houses by covered by the rising lake. Kernville refused to lose almost 100 years of history. Many of the citizens of Kernville decided to move en masse to higher ground a few miles to the north, onto the former Burlando Ranch, where they could establish a new Kernville. By the early 1950s a new Kernville stood. Some of the original buildings from Old Kernville were moved there; others were newly built. The people of New Kernville picked up their lives and started a new history. But the citizens couldn’t forget the original town’s old history, a colorful Gold Rush past that was matched by very few American communities. So the townspeople decided to hold a yearly celebration in the winters when times
were slower and people could enjoy the full Western mountain experience and remember the Gold Rush times. Each year the townspeople of New Kernville put on their Western duds and prepare to greet the many thousands of visitors who come to join in the celebration that celebrates the 1860-64 days of Whiskey Flat. People come from all over to see the Whiskey Flat Days Grand Parade and the shoot-’em-up shows, take part in the many contests such as the old-time costume contest or the frog jumpin’ contest, partake of the carnival rides, enjoy the shenanigans of the Honorary Whiskey Flat Mayor contest (during which the candidates try to out-joke each other), eat some great food, or just walk around and enjoy the clean mountain air in one of the nicest little towns you’ll ever see. People flock to the Kern Valley Museum to see photos of the original Kernville, maps of the area before the lake was here, and displays featuring the history of the Indian tribe that called this area home long before the American settlers came. Want to see some of the other original buildings from Whiskey Flat? Go to Silver City Ghost Town in Bodfish, where they moved a lot of local old-time historical buildings in order to save them. Enjoy the music, the parade, the oldfashioned contests, the mountain views, even the weather as we celebrate the era of 1860-64 all over again, when Old Kernville was Whiskey Flat.
Special thanks are in order A special Claim Jumper thanks goes to our friend Chuck Barbee. He’s the guy who supplied all the historical photosof Old Kernville for this issue. This year he has a Web site, wildwestcountrymovies.com, where you can buy his Wild West Country DVDs featuring a lot of history of the valley.
KERNVILLE APOTHECARY HAS FOR SALE A FULL ASSORTMENT OF
GENUINE FAMILY MEDICINES, Selected with the utmost care. Also, an extensive supply of
PATENT MEDICINES, LEECHES, PERFUMERY, AND FANCY ARTICLES, Such as comprise the usual Stock of an Apothecary of general accepted size. known also as
The Drug Store 111 Piute Drive 376-2216
Gerald A. Brown Manager / Director FD 1731
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661-325-3963 800-894-8882
The mail stage stands in front of the original Bodfish Post Office in this undated photo. Bodfish was unchanged when the lake went in and remains one of the oldest communities in the Kern River Valley.
Vintage photo courtesy Chuck Barbee
VALLEY continued from page 2 1876: Palmer family moves into Hot Springs Valley, making it more of a family community. 1877: Landers Ranch, later Onyx Ranch, established across from Scodie Store in Onyx. 1878: A. Brown Flour Mill built. 1880: Scodie’s store expands and is rebuilt. 1882: Scodie School established. 1883: Palmer School established near modern-day Auxiliary Dam. 1886: Steven Barton homesteads land near modern-day Auxiliary Dam to be called Isabella (now under the lake). 1891: Constables Powers and McCoy ambushed by Wampei Jiggens. 1893: Steven Barton lays out plans for township of Isabella. 1894: First post office founded at new town of Isabella. 1895: Power company starts to secure rights of way in Hot Springs Valley. 1899: Weldon Methodist Church built. 1901: First Methodist Church built, one of first buildings in Isabella. 1902: Hot Springs Valley flourishes as hydropower flume is built. 1905: John Hooper builds a school in Isabella. 1911: Gus Suhre comes to Kern River Valley. 1914: William Kissack sends for his bride Jessie. Start of Kissack Ranch. 1929: Louis Scovern buys hot springs property. 1936: McNallys take control of Hot Springs House and old Palmer Ranch. 1949: Original South Fork Woman’s Club building burns.
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Page 8
2010 Claim Jumper
Some Early Ranches of the Kern River Valley this time had a store in Kernville. Andy had also raised stock and farmed in Tulare County, and had done more than a little mining. Soon after he came to Kernville in the middle 1860s he was given the responsibility of being foreman of the Sumner quartz mill. He was unable to stay away from the store business long though, and in 1869 he bought a brick store building in Old Kernville. The A. Brown Store in Old Kernville carried much of what was needed by the valley’s families. It was a hub of life in Old Kernville. Andy Brown never lived on the South Fork property that bore his name.
Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper
The Kern River Valley, in the late 1800s, consisted of dozens of ranches of different sizes. Here is some history about a few of them.
• Cannell Ranch/Joughin Ranch
Thomas Arthur Cannell was born on the Isle of Man in 1854. Coming to California with his brother, John J. Cannell in the 1870s, he joined him in the roving life of a sheepman. During a visit to his homeland in 1891 he married Margaret Ann Joughin, and they returned to California, settling almost immediately on the South Fork. Mr. Cannell’s brother-in-law, William D. Joughin, also came to the valley in 1898, and after a year he started ranching in Inyo County with Bob Stephens, who was also from the Isle of Man. In the 1900s, this land became the Joughin Ranch. As Highway 178 gains the summit of Joughin Hill and starts down to Mt. Mesa, you can see the new headquarters of the Joughin Ranch. Before the lake was formed the ranch complex was north of the point of the hill. Reaching as far east as Patterson Lane, at one time it took in 800 acres, including the Patterson, Cook and Wes Brown ranches as well as the original Cannell Ranch. In later years, an Isle of Man friend of Joughin’s, Bill Kissack, had a ranch of his own nearby.
• Taylor Ranch/Neill Ranch
Just west of the Kernville cut-off road in the South Fork is the ranch that was known for many years as the Taylor place. Originally settled by C. J. E. Taylor, it was purchased in the late 1800s by Robert Neill. Along with the Taylor property, Neill had also bought the Swan and Gray ranches, and by 1900 what was then known as the the Neill Ranch stretched west for over a mile, taking in 840 acres.
• Petersen Ranch
N.P. Petersen was a miner who stayed after the gold mining played out. Petersen arrived in Old Kernville in May of 1864. In 1871, Petersen took up land on the South Fork of the Kern River about 12 miles from Old Kernville. He continued to prosper. In 1873, Petersen built the Kernville Hotel, which provided food and lodging a little above the usual mining town fare. Besides
Photo courtesy of Chuck Barbee
A cattle drive heads north in this undated photo. The view is looking south from about the middle of modern-day Lake Isabella (around Kern Valley Plaza) towards Hooper Hill in the background.
owning many dwellings in Kernville, the Golden Gate Hotel in Havilah was added to the family holdings. In 1883 the Kernville Hotel was destroyed by a fire that swept through town. Lost with it were other structures owned by Petersen. After such a big loss on his town property, N. P. turned more of his energy to the land. In 1888 he constructed another ditch from the river to put more of his land under irrigation. He acquired adjoining land until he had 1,200 acres. This was in addition to two ranches he owned on Greenhorn Mountain. These Greenhorn ranches were used mostly for the summer headquarters of his cattle operation. The NP brand was known throughout Kern County.
• Forsyth Ranch/A. Brown Ranch
The A. Brown Ranch was located one mile west of the South Fork School on Highway 178. Andrew (Andy) Brown bought the ranch in 1871 from Alexander Forsyth. As the Weldon Post Office had been established at the ranch that same year, it wasn't long before Brown started stocking various necessities. A virtual trading mecca soon developed. Andrew wasn't a newcomer to the mercantile business as he had tried his hand at running a store in Mariposa County, and also at
• Smith Ranch
When Thomas H. Smith founded the ranch in 1861, he set aside a portion of the land for use as a family cemetery. This is the quaint old burial ground nestled in a curve of the hill and was named Cottage Grove Cemetery. A walk through the tree-shaded serenity of the cemetery may give a lesson in local history to those who take time to read the weathered inscriptions on the gravestones. The Smith home became the center of community life in the Valley. It was the scene of weddings, births and solemn occasions of death. The first ice cream socials to be held on the South Fork were also held here. Its doors were never closed to friend or stranger, and many a traveler camped overnight in the yard and was sped on his way with gifts from the Smith's ever-full larder. (Editor’s note: author Bob Powers was a descendent of the Smiths.)
• Nicoll Ranch
As the highway starts on a straight stretch three miles below Onyx, you can see the buildings of the old Nicoll Ranch where they stand off to the north side of the road. Bill and John Nicoll came to the Kern River in 1859, where they mined until 1863, when they took up ranches on the South Fork. Bill had his first ranch on Seybert Lane, and the second one on Kelso Creek just above where the Kelso Valley Road first crosses the creek. John Nicoll settled on the property where the buildings are located and in 1891 owned 480 acres. His
See RANCHES, Page 10
‘KICK’EM UP KEL’ 2004 WHISKEY FLAT MAYOR
KELLEE SCOTT Insurance Agent License #0833364
Phone: (760) 376-8703 Fax: (760) 376-8603 27 Big Blue Rd. Kernville, CA
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2010 Claim Jumper
page 9
FURNITURE PUBLiC NOTICE!
Remember,when lookin’ fer fine furnishins Ya won’t find a Bargain in a Barn!
ThE
sTORE
Celebratin’
21 years
File photo courtesy of Kern River Courier
Hey, ya pays yer money and ya takes yer chances. Sometimes it snows during Whiskey Flat Days, like it did last year.
OPEN SUNDAY ~ THURSDAY 9:00AM ~ 5:00PM Friday 9:00AM ~ 4:00PM Closed Saturdays OUr gals will help refurbish your bunkhouse made by craftsmen & artists of distinction
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“Our customers agree - we are the friendly store” Owner Roger McLaughlin
6400 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella across from the Senior Center
Store: 760-379-2041 Cell: 760-379-6963 New Hours: Monday, thru Friday10:00am to 5:00pm Saturday 9:00am to 3:00pm Closed Sunday
DR.NANCY D.BOYD MEDICINE WOMAN
HOURS: 8:00AM - 5:00 MONDAY -FRIDAY
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Page 10
2010 Claim Jumper
The Largest and most Complete Meat Department, Hot & Cold Deli, Liquor, Beer & Wine
The Best Farm Fresh Produce & Selection of Groceries in the Valley with Two Locations to Serve You
RANCHES continued from page 8 holdings went as far as the Methodist Church, and the original ranch buildings stood about 200 yards straight behind the church. To the south of the ranch, Nicolls Peak looms over the South Fork Valley, named after old John.
• Landers Ranch
Licenses & Boat Permits Spin, Fly Fishing & Camping Equipment Float Tubes, Waders & Ammunition Hiking Boots & Outdoor Wear Gas & Diesel
In 1877 William Landers moved his cattle operation to the South Fork of the Kern River. His ranch was in Kelso Valley. Landers had sent back east for trees five years earlier and planted them on the home ranch. He had planted peaches, pears, and other varieties. These trees produced the best fruit in the area. Everyone in the South Fork Valley was free to come and pick what they needed for their own use at no charge.
• McCray Ranch
In 1892, John McCray was working for William Landers and decided he wanted to have a ranch of his own. He left Johnnie Johnson, a well known cattleman on the South Fork, as Mr. Landers' foreman, and bought the Garden Brothers Ranch six miles west of Weldon.
• Bloomfield Ranch
James Pruitt first filed on this ranch in 1872, and the family names that come to mind in connection with ownership of this ranch over the years include Rankin, Hutchison, Thomas and Gardner, in that order.
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2010 Claim Jumper
page 11
Activities for Thursday through Saturday Fancy pull-out section
Pull this Whiskey Flat Days schedule and map (pages 11-14) out of the center of your Claim Jumper, carry it around
with you and you’ll know what’s going on! It covers all five days of the festival.
THURSDAY FEB 11th 12 Noon EPITAPH CONTEST JUDGING James Store, Sierra Gateway Market - Forms available at James Store and Kernville Chamber. All epitaphs will be judged at this time and placed in Boot Hill on Friday. 5:00 PM COWBOY AUCTION at Ewings on the Kern, Kernville. Open: 5:00 p.m. Sign ups: 7:00 p.m. AUCTION: 8:00 p.m. Contact Kellee at 376-8703. Always a popular event! 7:00 PM SIERRA PERFORMING ART MUSICAL MELODRAMA: "Wash Your Troubles Away" OR "Dirty Deeds Come Clean" Kernville School on Sierra Way. Tickets at the door- adults $7.00; 12 & under $5.00; lap kids free.
FRIDAY FEB 12th 7:00 AM BREAKFAST ALL AROUND THE VALLEY! Find your favorite eatery. 10:00 AM
Educational & AUTHENTIC Demonstrations. *Old Cowboy Camp, Horse Shoein', Story Tellin', and more! *Native American Indian Camp with activities and more! Showtimes 2 and 4 p.m. Trail rides around the Riverwalk area for everyone. Tickets available across from the Rodeo Grounds from Friday afternoon on. Open til sundown Friday & Saturday; until 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES at Riverside Park by the Wild & Scenic Kern River. Free bracelets from First Baptist Church of Kernville. Amazing Bounce with bounce houses, rock wall, and obstacle courses. Pony rides. Small charge for rides. Also, a rest station provided by Family Life Center. No charge. 5:00 PM SCHOEPPNER AMUSEMENT CARNIVAL OPENS across from Pizza Barn, by the Forest Service Work Center. Great adult and children's rides & games, chills and thrills! Open until 10:00 p.m. DINNER IS SERVED AROUND TOWN AT ALL FAVORITE RESTAURANTS 7:00 PM HEY PARDNER ~ BE ON THE LOOKOUT! MAYOR CANDIDATES ROAMING AROUND TOWN SELLING TICKETS! THE RACE IS ON! Winner Announced Sunday at 3:00 p.m.
KERN VALLEY MUSEUM OPENS on Big Blue Road next to Post Office. Historical Society ~Mining Info ~ Indian Exhibits ~ Artifacts and Photos from Yesteryear when Kernville was Whiskey Flat. Open 10:00-4:00
SIERRA PERFORMING ART MUSICAL MELODRAMA: "Wash Your Troubles Away" OR "Dirty Deeds Come Clean" Kernville School on Sierra Way. Tickets at the door- adults $7.00; 12 & under $5.00; lap kids free.
Annual KERN RIVER VALLEY WOMEN'S CLUB LUNCHEON. Elks Lodge, Wofford Heights. Presale Tickets Only - Admission $12. Call 376-4578 or purchase tickets at Kernville Chamber.
SATURDAY FEB 13th
12 NOON GOLDEN GULCH OPENS on Circle Park ~ Frontage Road~ Riverside Park. Crafts, Handmade Items, Info Booths, Art & MORE! FFA, Sweet Adelines, Tubatulabal Indians, Rotary Club of KRV, and Mt. View Baptist Youth food vendors! Whiskey Flat Headquarters Info Booth in Circle Park selling Whiskey Flat Shirts & memorabilia. CONTEST APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE AT KERNVILLE CHAMBER INFO BOOTH: Costume Contest, Pet Parade Contest, Whiskerino Contest, Dirty Boot Contest, Pie & Jelly Contest, Yummy! Contests take place on Sunday (see this schedule). WHISKEY FLAT MUSICAL KICKOFF with the Jazz Tones. Performance at Cheryl's Diner Patio. WHISKEY FLAT ENCAMPMENTS. Cowboy and Native American Encampments. On Scodie across from the Rodeo Grounds. LIFE IN THE OLD WEST!
7:00 AM BREAKFAST AT MASONIC LODGE, 562 James Rd. Tickets $6 a plate at the door - turn uphill past James Store. Always a favorite breakfast - get there early! Continues to 10 a.m. 8:30 AM VIP PARADE BREAKFAST KERNVILLE CHAMBER 9:00 AM GOLDEN GULCH OPENS on Circle Park ~ Frontage Road~ Riverside Park. Crafts, Handmade Items, Info Booths, Art & MORE! FFA, Sweet Adelines, Tubatulabal Indians, Rotary Club of KRV, and Mt. View Baptist Youth food vendors! Whiskey Flat Headquarters Info Booth in Circle Park selling Whiskey Flat Shirts & memorabilia. CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES at Riverside Park by the Wild & Scenic Kern River. Free bracelets from First Baptist Church of Kernville. Amazing Bounce with bounce houses, rock wall, and obstacle courses. Pony rides. Small charge for rides. Also, a rest
station provided by Family Life Center. No charge. 10:00 AM
guarantee, but work has it there will be music in Riverside Park by four local bands. FREE admission.
"LINE UP" FOR PARADE STARTS. Equestrian judging in designated horse area.
LINE DANCING by "ROSES & RENEGADES" Circle Park Center Stage Admission Free
SCHOEPPNER AMUSEMENT CARNIVAL OPENS across from Pizza Barn, by the Forest Service Work Center. Great adult and children's rides & games, chills and thrills! Open until 10:00 p.m.
WILD WEST DAZE RODEO at McNally Rodeo Arena - Cotton Rosser’s FLYING U Rodeo sponsored by Bud Light. Team Roping, Bull Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Hide Races, Steer Riding, Barrel Racing, Junior Barrel Racing, Calf Scramble, Mutton Busting, and more. Also, an entertaining “Wild Horse” contest.
TROUT HATCHERY OPEN (Sat., Sun., Mon.) Museum & Visitor Center 10 am to 4 pm. Sierra Way, 1 Mile North of Kernville. Free Admission. Booth in front of KRV Novelty. KERN VALLEY MUSEUM OPENS on Big Blue Road next to Post Office. Historical Society ~Mining Info ~ Indian Exhibits ~ Artifacts and Photos from Yesteryear when Kernville was Whiskey Flat. Open 10-4. 11:00 AM GRAND WHISKEY FLAT DAYS PARADE THEME -- “CALLIN’ ALL COWBOYS” KICK-OFF WITH HIGH COUNTRY OUTLAWS. Starts Sierra Way and Kernville Rd. Get your spot early! Judging will be during the parade march. Awards given at 2:30 p.m. at Circle Park Center Stage. National Anthem by Jacqueline Taylor. Parade route: From Sierra Way & Kernville Road south. Across bridge to Kern River Drive by Riverside Park.. Around Riverside One-Stop and up Kernville Road to Tobias. Then Piute Drive to Big Blue Road and up to Whitney Drive. 2010 GRAND MARSHALS ~KAY WALKER AND HELEN WITT 2009 WHISKEY FLAT MAYOR "BRONCO BOB" 2010 WFD MAYOR CANDIDATES: "CIMARRON CYNTHIA" "TENDERFOOT TONY" "TURNCOAT CHRIS" SPECIAL VIP GUESTS & DELIGHTFUL PARADE FLOATS PARADE ANNOUNCER: GEOFF EMERY ~KUZZ RADIO 12 NOON Immediately following the Parade WHISKEY FLAT ENCAMPMENTS, Cowboy and Native American Encampments on Scodie across from the Rodeo Grounds. Ride your own horse around the encampments. (Watch out for robbers!) Indian Crafts, Shotgun Marriages and more WOW! Special shows and Story Tellin’ at 2 & 4 p.m. Horse Shoein', Leather/Harness makin', Livery Stable, and, for weary travelers, a nice HOT BATH. Cowboy cookin' and Cowboy Coffee demonstrations. 1:00 PM CONCERT BY THE RIVER ~ Not from the “horses’ mouth” and no
1:45 PM HIGH COUNTRY OUTLAWS GUNFIGHTIN' SKITS on Piute Drive next to Circle Park. Highfalootin' gunslingers are here! Shoot 'em up performances in front of High Country Jail and Saloon - Free! WATCH OUT OR YOU'RE GOIN' TO JAIL! 2:00 PM "FIRST HEAT" FROG JUMPIN' CONTEST. Held at KRV Novelty at Tobias & Kernville Rd. Watch the Jumpin'est Frogs in the West! Finals Sunday at 11:30 a.m. - Free Admission WHISKEY FLAT ENCAMPMENTS: Native American Indian and Cowboy Camps with activities & more special shows; Story Tellin', Horse Shoein', Leather/Harness makin', Livery Stable, and, for weary travelers, a nice HOT BATH. On Scodie across from the Rodeo Grounds. Performances at 2 and 4 p.m. 3:00 PM LINE DANCING by "TLC" (Totally Loves Country) 45 minute show, Circle Park Center Stage - Admission Free 3:30 PM HIGH COUNTRY OUTLAWS Piute Drive, Circle Park. Highfalootin' gunslingers are here! Shoot 'em up performances in front of High Country Jail and Saloon - Free! 4:00 PM SPECIAL PERFORMANCE BY THE ELITE DANCE TEAM, WHITMAM STUDIO – Circle Park, Center Stage. 6:00 PM DINNER IS SERVED AT YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS AROUND TOWN 7:00 PM SIERRA PERFORMING ART MUSICAL MELODRAMA: "Wash Your Troubles Away" OR "Dirty Deeds Come Clean" Kernville School on Sierra Way. Tickets at the door- adults $7.00; 12 & under $5.00; lap kids free. SEE SUNDAY AND MONDAY’S SCHEDULE ON PAGE 14.
Page 14
2010 Claim Jumper
Activities for Sunday and Monday Fancy pull-out section
Pull this Whiskey Flat Days schedule and map (pages 11-14) out of the center of your Claim Jumper, carry it around
with you and you’ll know what’s going on! It covers all five days of the festival.
SUNDAY FEB 14th IT’S VALENTINE’S DAY. Don’t forget your sweetie! 7:00 AM BREAKFAST ALL AROUND THE VALLEY. Find your favorite eatery! 9:00 AM GOLDEN GULCH OPENS on Circle Park ~ Frontage Road~ Riverside Park. Crafts, Handmade Items, Info Booths, Art & MORE! FFA, Sweet Adelines, Tubatulabal Indians, Rotary Club of KRV, and Mt. View Baptist Youth food vendors! Whiskey Flat Headquarters Info Booth in Circle Park selling Whiskey Flat Shirts & memorabilia. CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES at Riverside Park by the Wild & Scenic Kern River. Free bracelets from First Baptist Church of Kernville. Amazing Bounce with bounce houses, rock wall, and obstacle courses. Pony rides. Small charge for rides. Also, a rest station provided by Family Life Center. No charge. 9:30 AM WHISKEY FLAT ENCAMPMENTS. Cowboy and Native American Encampments. On Scodie across from the Rodeo Grounds. Continues to 2 p.m. Life in the Old West! Educational and authentic demonstrations. 10:00 AM: Old Fashioned Outdoor Old-Kernville Church Service. (Back by popular demand.). 11:00 AM: Ride your own horse around the encampments. (Watch out for robbers!) Indian Crafts, Shotgun Marriages, and moreWOW! 11:00-2:00 PM - Native American Indian and Cowboy Camp with activities and more special shows. Story Tellin', Horse Shoein', Leather/Harness makin', Livery Stable, and, for weary travelers, a nice HOT BATH. Cowboy Cookin' and Cowboy Coffee demonstrations.
10:00 AM KERN VALLEY MUSEUM OPENS. On Big Blue Road next to Post Office. Historical Society ~Mining Info ~ Indian Exhibits ~ Artifacts and Photos from Yesteryear when Kernville was Whiskey Flat. Open until 4. TROUT HATCHERY OPENS (Sun., Mon.) Visitor Center and Museum Open 10:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. Sierra Way, 1 Mile North of Kernville. Free Admission. Booth in front of KRV Novelty. SCHOEPPNER AMUSEMENT CARNIVAL OPENS across from Pizza Barn, by the Forest Service Work Center. Great adult and children's rides & games, chills and thrills! Open until 10:00 p.m. 11:00 AM HIGH COUNTRY OUTLAWS GUNFIGHTIN' SKITS on Piute Drive next to Circle Park. Highfalootin' gunslingers are here! 11:30 AM "FINAL HEAT" FROG JUMPIN' CONTEST. Held at KRV Novelty at Tobias & Kernville Rd. Watch the Jumpin'est Frogs in the West! These are the FINALS~ Cheer on your favorite JUMPING FROG! Free Admission HIGH NOON CONTEST SIGNUPS ~ 1860s COSTUME CONTEST SIGNUPS. Adults & Children forms at WFD Info Booth. Judging starting at 12:30 p.m. ~ PET PARADE signups KIDS 12 & UNDER. Forms at WFD Info Booth - Judging at 2:00 p.m. ~ PIE, JAM & JELLIES CONTEST SIGN-UPS. From Noon to 1:00 p.m. - finals at 2:30 p.m. Forms at WFD Info Booth or Pie staging area. 12:30 PM OLD FASHIONED 1860s COSTUME CONTEST at Piute Drive & Big Blue Road -Circle Park. Note: Adult categories include Frontier Lady and Man, American
Indian Lady and Man, Fancy Lady and Man, Best Family over all. Children’s categories include Frontier Girl and Boy, American Indian Girl, and Fancy Girl and Boy. Certificates and ribbons awarded - Entry is Free! (See signups at noon.) 1:00 PM WILD WEST DAZE RODEO at McNally Rodeo Arena - Cotton Rosser’s FLYING U Rodeo sponsored by Bud Light. Team Roping, Bull Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Hide Races, Steer Riding, Barrel Racing, Junior Barrel Racing, Calf Scramble, Mutton Busting, and more. Also, an entertaining Wild Horse contest. CONCERT BY THE RIVER ~ Not from the “horses’ mouth” and no guarantee, but work has it there will be music in Riverside Park by four local bands. FREE admission. SIGN UPS FOR WHISKERINO CONTEST. Whiskers, beards, all mustaches apply. Certificates and ribbons awarded - Free. Forms at WFD Info booth or Jail in Circle Park. 2:00 PM OLD-FASHIONED WHISKERINO CONTEST on Piute Drive by Circle Park. (See signups at 1 p.m.) Piute Drive by Circle Park. PET PARADE, KIDS 12 & UNDER -(see signups at noon). FIVE CATEGORIES: WFD THEME, MATCHED PAIR, SMALLEST, LARGEST, FUNNIEST! Certificates and ribbons awarded - Free 2:30 PM WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR PIES, JAMS AND JELLIES CONTEST - YUMMY! (See signups and dropoffs at noon.) This is what we're waitin' for! Bring on those delicious treats! 3:00 PM HONORARY 2010 WHISKEY FLAT MAYOR ANNOUNCED! WHO WILL BE THE 2010 WHISKEY FLAT MAYOR?
DRAWING: Who will win the $500 shopping spree? On Piute Drive by Circle Park 3:30 PM HIGH COUNTRY OUTLAWS High-falootin' gunslingers are here right after the Mayor Announcement!
MONDAY FEB 15th 9:00 AM GOLDEN GULCH OPENS Circle Park and Frontage Road Free Admission CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES CONTINUE at Riverside Park by the Wild & Scenic Kern River SCHOEPPNER AMUSEMENT CARNIVAL across from Pizza Barn, by the Forest Service Work Center. 10:00 AM TROUT HATCHERY OPENS Museum & Visitor Center 10 am to 4 pm. Sierra Way, 1 Mile North of Kernville. Free Admission. Booth in front of KRV Novelty. YA’LL COME ON BACK NEXT YEAR, Y’HEAR?
Be sure to make your plans now to attend the Kern River Valley’s special events next month! • The “Living Green in the KRV” Festival March 17-21 • The Isabella Lake Fishing Derby March 27-29
A Continual Renewing of Heart and Life Titus 3:5
Sunday Service 9:30 am
760-2 2 23-66 704
Kernville Chamber of Commerce Corner of Sierra Way and Kernville Rd. Pastor Jack T. Duitsman
2010 Claim Jumper
page 15
379-3671
DENNY RUSHTON D.D.S. tRAVEL’N DENTISTRY
• gUM CLEAN’N • tOOTH DRILL’N • BREATH fix’N
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760-379-5200
Now Buying Gold & Silver!
• teeth pull’n • JAW BREAK’n a FULL LINE OF MODERN DENTAL HAMMERS, CHISELS & PLIERS AVAILABLE
Come in and see us! Now is the time time to look through your Jewelry Boxes, we buy your gold and silver.
MEDICAL HELP FOR
oral fixatSHUNS & nAIL BITE’N 2616 Erskine creek rd. lake isabella
Opening Whiskey Flat Weekend
A NT I G
STE AK S
❤❤
Whiskey Flat Weekend Serving
Thursday, February 11th, 4:30 to 8:00pm Prime Rib Special Friday, February 12th, 4:30 to 9:00pm & Saturday, February 13th, 4:30 to 9:00pm
KER R N RIVE Sweet Heart Special for Two
Sunday, February 14th, 4:30 to 8:00pm Sweetheart Special for Two
Two 8oz. Filets with One pound Sunday February 14th of Alaskan King Crab Legs $55.95 4:30 to 8:00pm
Soup or Salad, Potato or Rice, Plus our Famous Mud Pie Dessert
Thursday & Sunday 4:30 to 8:00pm • Friday & Saturday 4:30 to 9:00 Prime Rib Served every Thursday
15 miles north of Kernville on Mtn.99 For Reservations
❤❤
Reservations Suggested
Hamburger Stand Open Saturday & Sunday 10am to 5pm
760-376-2430
Stake your claim now! -to-toWhiskey Flat Riches Rates vary by claim size See one of these claim jumpers to reserve your place now, in the Claim Jumper advertising deadline is January 16th. Ring: 760-376-2860
Left to right: In the trenches at the Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper, Mike Devich, Rag to Riches editorializing Co-publisher; Sara Wakeman, Whip Cracking Office Boss; Mike Ludiker, Production and Spider Web Master and Michael Batelaan, Rag to Riches graphic Co-publisher;. Vintage Val, The Advertising Answer Gal; is not pictured, shes out collectin space reservations for the Claim jumper.
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2010 Claim Jumper
Old Kernville’s Movie Street built for Western films Mike Devich Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper
Old Kernville was a real Old West town, but in the late 1920s, after its Old West day had passed, Hollywood discovered the town as the Western movie craze grew. The town responded to accommodate the increasing numbers of crews arriving to shoot movies by building a special street parallel to Old Kernville’s main street especially for them. The late Bob Powers, in his book “North Fork Country,” wrote about Movie Street: “Movie Street in Old Kernville was a replica of a typical frontier main street. Originally called Granite Street, it was about two blocks long and ran north-south along the hill west of town. The Methodist Community Church and the grade school were at one end, and a large barn on the A. Brown property closed the other end of the street. The fronts of other buildings
(the backs of which were only shells) were built, including, on one side, a general store, assay office, jail and livery stable. On the other side stood a blacksmith shop, saloon, dance hall, hotel and harness shop. It was hard to realize when walking along the street or viewing the set in movies that many of these buildings were only propped up like billboards. “On this street gallons of ‘blood’ were shed, and from the large old cottonwood tree in the schoolyard many a hangman’s noose swung.” In the evenings, many of the movie’s stars and crew would take part in local community activities in Old Kernville. Sometimes they would form a baseball team with the likes of Roy Rogers, Humphrey Bogart and John Huston filling the positions. Powers says in his book that other famous movie stars seen in the valley over the years included Dale Evans, Gabby Hayes, Yvonne DeCarlo, Victor McLagen, Audie Murphy, Andy
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BIG BLUE MILL Where gold was discovered in 1861
OWN YOUR OWN PIE CE OF T HE K ERN RI V ER VALLEY
Devine, Tom Mix, Hoot Gibson, Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry and Harry Carey. The Mountain Inn, at the time the only hotel in Old Kernville, served as headquarters for the film companies. Many local people served as doubles, stand-ins and extras in the movies. Some working as extras donned cowboy costumes for a chase scene one day and then Indian costumes the next day for that side of the chase. Irven Wofford, owner of the ranch that would someday become Wofford Heights, provided much of the livestock for the films as well as wagons, buggies and other equipment. He also acted in some of the films. A list of films wholly or partially shot in the Kern River Valley is available at the Kern Valley Museum in Kernville. The list was assembled by the late Billy Couch, at the time the curator of the museum. Powers was also a curator of the museum.
I just forwarded an add we are using at the Grill Can you incorporate some of the info into your new add for whiskey flat d We also need to mention that we are going to have live music both Satu 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm Provided by Terry Huston Also our hours need to be revised for wint er Our winter time kitchen hours Friday 11:30 am to 8:00 pm Saturday 11:30 am to 9:00 pm Sunday 11:30 am to 7:00 pm We will be open president’s day from 11:30 am to 5:00 pm Bar will stay open until we kick you out Thanx Mike Hill
“Calling’ All Cowboys” 2010 W h i s k e y F l a t D a y s TM
Jan Ridenour 760-379-7176 janet1csr@aol.com #01374270
Rita D’Angelo 760-379-7585 ritac21angel@aol.com #01033686
Beth Ubil 760-793-1322 beth.ubil@century21.com #01768297
After having fun at Whiskey Flat Days - don’t forget to come up the hill and visit us! Friday, February 12th & Saturday, February, 13th
Valentines Day Celebration Please make plans to join us for a romantic evening of delicious food and great friends. With dinner and drink specials all night!
Sunday, February 14, 2010 Live music & dancing featuring live music by:
Terry Huston Saturday & Sunday at 6:00pm
Remember space is limited; please make reservations as soon as possible. All Beef used in our meals is Certified Angus Beef Brand
Wade Cook 760-299-3060 wade.cook@century21.com #01728605
Glenville
55 y1 Hw
! W O N Y B YA’LL COME
Greenhorn Summit Only eight miles Shirley from MeadowsW Wofford Ski Park illow Alta Sierra Rd. Heights! Pine Dr.
Debbie Chealander 760-223-0500 Marty O’Harra 760-223-2473 dchealander@aol.com #01713919 martyluv2sing@yahoo.com #01808256
Hw y1 55
Pat Turnham 760-417-2231 pturnham@aol.com #01369480
10720 Pine Drive Alta Sierra (760) 376-8900 Kernville y Hw
Lake Isabella
8 17
On the Greenhorn Mountains. Only eight miles west from Wofford Heights! Follow the signs from Hwy155, Friday: 11:30pm to 8:00pm Saturday: 11:30am to 9:00pm Sunday: 11:30am to 7:00pm We will be open Presidents Day from 11:30am Bar will stay open until we kick you out!
2010 Claim Jumper
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Whiskey Flat Days Grand Parade history Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper
The Whiskey Flat Days Parade started about the fifth year of the festival in 1961. John E. McNally was master of ceremonies that year, and he announced the parade for many years before he passed away in 2007. Lloree Knowles, a local real estate agent, organized the first parade and was chairman for many years. Over the years the parade has grown to become possibly the highlight of Whiskey Flat Days. Each year many thousands of visitors and locals line both sides of Kernville Road and other locations in Kernville to see the many floats, equestrians, marching reenactors and clowns make their way along the parade route. The parade starts at the corner of Kernville Road and Sierra Way, ready to cross the bridge and enter the Circle Park area. From there the parade turns left on Kern River Drive and goes along Riverside Park. Then it turns right on Kernville Road again around Riverside One-Stop and up Kernville
Road to Tobias, the street on the east side of Circle Park. Then up to Piute Drive to Big Blue Road and another right turn to Whitney Drive. There are lots of blank rounds going off, so owners of dogs and little children beware. The Grand Marshals of the parade are a Who’s Who of the valley and the county. In 2008 the Grand Marshal was Kernville’s 92-year-old Tom Johnson, who is a whitewater legend and who helped develop the fiberglass kayak. He started the annual Kern River Festival in the 1960s. Last year it was Jim Scott and Robin Mangarin, news anchors on KGET-TV in Bakersfield. Here are other Grand Marshals from the past few years. • 2007: Jack White, Donna Begay, Chuck Barbee, and Amanda Rankin • 2006: Cotton Rosser • 2005: John E. and Shirley McNally, and special guests Rebecca and Eric Giddens. • 2004: Smokey Bear • 2003: George and Darlene Randall • 2002: Ray Vega
rodeo grounds named after mcnally
File photo courtesy Kern River Courier
Tom Johnson of Kernville was 90 in 2008 when he was Grand Marshal of the Whiskey Flat Days parade. His daughter is Leeann Preston, who played Mrs. Santa Claus for many years in the Lake Isabella Christmas Parade, put on by the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce. Johnson has been a Kernville resident since the 1960s and is shown sitting in a fiberglass canoe he helped develop.
One attraction of Whiskey Flat Days that is not be missed is the Wild West Daze Rodeo, to be held both Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. at the John E. McNally Rodeo Grounds (just follow the crowd). There has been a rodeo in the Kern River Valley for many years. The late John E. McNally produced the Sierra Roundup Rodeo at Scovern Hot Springs during the 1940s, before the lake came in and the town of Isabella moved onto and around the site. The McNally barn is still there, behind
Isabella Supermarket. McNally went on to be a rodeo stock contractor until the mid-1950s, producing shows not only in California but Nevada as well. McNally and his wife Pauline started a steakhouse in the late 1940s at Fairview that still bears their name. Retiring from the resort business, John E. McNally became a legendary Tulare County Sheriff ’s deputy, covering 1,000 square miles of back country. McNally passed away in 2007 at the age of 94. He was truly a legend larger than life.
JOKES continued from page 6
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Be sure to look for our Smoothie Hut at Whiskey Flat!
Meal in a Cup, Smoothies, Fresh Squeezed Juices, Breakfasts Starting at 99 cents, Made to order Salads, Daily Soups & Special Sandwich Combinations. Open at 7:00am daily. Von’s Shopping Center 760-379-1792 “Next to DMV” 5520 G3 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella Monday thru Friday 7am-7pm • Saturday & Sunday 9am to 6pm eathealthykrv.com
Horse: "Yep." Cowboy: "How's he treat you?" Horse: "Pretty good, thanks for asking. He rides me regularly, brushes me down often, and keeps me in the barn to protect me from the elements." Now the sheepherder bore a total look of amazement. Cowboy: "Mind if I talk to your sheep?" Sheepherder: "Sheep lies."
Cowboy delicacy
A big Texan cowboy stopped at a local restaurant following a day of drinking and roaming around in Mexico. While sipping his tequila, he noticed a sizzling, scrumptious-looking platter being served at the next table. Not only did it look good, the smell was wonderful. He asked the waiter, "What is that you just served?" The waiter replied, "Ah senor, you have excellent taste! Those are Rocky Mountain Oysters from the bull fight this morning, a delicacy!" The cowboy, though momentarily daunted, said, "What the heck, I'm on vacation down here! Bring me an order!" The waiter replied, "I am so sorry, senor. There is only one serving per day because there is only one bull fight each morning. If you come early tomorrow and place your order, we will be sure to save you this delicacy!" The next morning, the cowboy returned, placed his order, and then that evening he was served the one and only special delicacy of the day. After he downed the delicious meal, he called to the waiter and said, "They were delicious, but they were much, much smaller than the ones I saw you serve yesterday!" The waiter shrugged his shoulders and replied, "Si, Senor. Sometimes the bull wins."
Check out yer ammo and guns For anyone wanting to carry a weapon during the Whiskey Flat Days celebration, a weapons and ammunition check will be at the Leather Goods tent at Whiskey Flat Camp (across from the rodeo grounds) starting Thursday, Feb 11 and extending though the weekend. Each participant must sign a release agreeing to the following rules: 1) Safety is our prime concern; for the re-enactor and the viewing public 2) No live ammunition to be carried in the weapon or on your person at any time 3) Dummy ammunition only. Spent primers are preferred. Participants with live primers will have to demonstrate that the cartridge contains no powder 4) For those engaging in gunfight routines, blank rounds should be chambered just prior to the routine and removed immediately after it concludes Participants will be issued a ribbon indicating that they have agreed to the restrictions listed above. This ribbon should be displayed prominently on the participant's costume.
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2010 Claim Jumper
Hey YoU! You Like whiskey flat? well, then come visit us all year! Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper
There’s always somethin’ for a flatlander like yourself to do when ya come up here to our rarified mountain air. If ’n ya like gettin’ outside, there’s campin’ and fishin’ and huntin’ and all that stuff. If ’n ya like pokin’ around stores, we got that too. We got eatin’ houses and places to stay and all kinds of civilization here. But then once in a while we like to kick our heels up and have some fun. Flatlanders like that too, so here’s a list we threw together so’s that you can see all the fun we have around here. MARCH: In March this year is the Keyesville Classic mountain bike races. If ’n they can get all the gold miners up there Keyesville way to stand aside for a while, mountain bikers come from all over to ride their trusty metal steeds up and down the considerable hills they got over there. A group outta Bakersfield puts that on. Go to http://ssfta.com/ on one of them new-fangled computers. Also from March 17-21 we’re gonna have a Living Green festival in Wofford Heights so’s we can all learn how to live without foulin’ our own nest, so to speak. Go to krvr.org to learn about that one. And at the end of March, there’s the Isabella Lake Fishing Derby that comes up March 27-29. If ’n you get registered and you catch a trout with this year’s tag on it, you can win your share of $200,000 in cash money! Up to $20,000! Wonder how much that works out to per pound? It’ll buy ya a lot of chips at the poker table, that’s for sure! Get a hold of http://derby.kernrivervalley.com/ to find out more APRIL: April’s a beautiful month up here. Lots o’ stuff going on. Also in April
File photo courtesy Kern River Courier
There’s lots to do here in the Kern River Valley. When the warmer weather comes, out come the personal watercraft like the one above. We’d call it a Jet Ski, but we think it’s another brand, and them lawyers get mad at us and cuss up a blue streak if we misuse their trademark.
is the Kern River Festival, when they race those kayaks up and down the river. They have rafts too, but they only go in one direction -- if ’n you don’t count flying into the air and turning upside down. That’ll be April 17-18, and the Kern Valley River Council puts it on. Go to to http://www.kernfestival.org/ or call (818) 340-3083. Comin’ up towards the end of April will be the annual Trout Festival at the Hatchery, where they give you a free hot dog and let you have some fun there in the shade and learn all about fishing. They don’t know the date yet, but you can call the Kernville Chamber of Commerce at (760) 376-2629 when it gets closer and they’ll give you the skinny. MAY: The Kern Valley Spring
WELCOME TO WHISKEY FLAT DAYS February 12-15, 2010 Come visit us at the
KERN VALLEY MUSEUM Celebrate the History of the Valley with the KERN RIVER VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Museum Hours Thursday ~ Sunday, 10am to 4pm 49 Big Blue Road, Kernville (Next to the Post Office)
(760) 376-6683 ADMISSION IS FREE In the Kern Valley Museum you will find artifacts and memorabilia which make the history of this valley come alive.
Native American Objects • Gold Mining • Farming and Ranching • Lumbering • Western Movies • Gift Shop and Art Gallery
COME BACK
FOR
HISTORY DAYS
May 15-16, 2010
Nature Festival used be called the Bioregions Festival and it’s a pretty big deal. You can learn about all kinds of stuff havin’ to do with nature, like all about plants and animals and rocks and what a beautiful place we live in. They hold it here in Kernville and Weldon -two places. The first Saturday in May, the 1st, is the Sirretta St. Swap Meet in Kernville where a whole big old long street holds a gigantic yard sale! Definitely worth coming to. The next weekend, May 8, is the Classic Car Show in the park on the river. They close off the whole street. The Kern Valley Rotary Club puts it on. Good times and rock and roll! Then we got the Kern River Valley Historical Society’s History
Days . I’m gettin’ tired just writin’ about this one. It’s a great big deal held at the Kern Valley Museum in Kernville and it’s a lotta work, let me tell ya. They hold all kinds of demonstrations and shows and stuff about what life was like once upon a time here in the Kern River Valley. If ya like findin’ out about the olden times, this one’s for you. Then on Memorial Day Weekend, the Kern River Valley Art Association will put on their big ol’ Spring Fine Arts and Crafts Festival in Circle Park. They’ve been doin’ it for 45 years now! Wow! Then summer starts, and man there’s a lot of events. In June there’s a free fishing day and they hold a fishing derby just for kids. There’s a day called Whitewater Wednesday when people can get introduced to whitewater rafting and get all wet. There’s a mule and donkey show, kind of like those Mule Days over in Bishop. In July is the fireworks show for our great nation’s independence and a race of those new-fangled water bikes or whatever they call ‘em -- they go real fast. August is when they run those rubber duckies down the river and bet on ‘em and raise money for the Kern Valley Exchange Club, which uses it for community projects. And there’s the fall art show by the Kern River Valley Art Association. And a bunch more. Throughout the fall there’s so much going on here. Then come the holidays and then Whiskey Flat Days and we start it all over again. Come and join us up here anytime you feel a hankerin’ to taste some fresh mountain air and get out of the rat race. We’ll save a stool for you at your favorite joint.
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Summers are pretty cool in the Kern River Valley Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper
In the summer new Kernville is the headquarters for the many whitewater outfitters that host rafting trips on the Kern River, which is swollen with snowmelt every spring and summer. The reservoir rises and becomes another playground for water enthusisants, with water skiing, boating and windsurfing available. Fishermen have their choice of lake fishing or stream and river fishing. Both are considered terrific here. Around Kernville there are trails for hikers to hike, rocks for climbers to climb, and campgrounds for campers to camp in. The Forest Service office in Kernville, which is a building made of giant logs, will be able to help you with all the information, permits, reservations and so on. It’s right around the corner from the Kern Valley Museum, a gem of a place packed full of local history.
Lots of other stuff to see in the general area, too. Want to see some of the original buildings from Whiskey Flat? Go to Silver City Ghost Town in Bodfish, where they moved a lot of local old-time historical buildings to save them. Or try going out to Weldon, where a lot of buildings from the old times are still there, like the A. Brown Flour Mill, visible right from the highway across from where Highway 178 and Kelso Valley Road meet. It’s been there since the 1800s. You might have come straight to Kernville to Whiskey Flat Days, but you might not be aware of the many other things to do and places to see in our big Kern River Valley. Each one of them is a delight to the senses and will keep you armed with things to talk about for a long while. Enjoy our little not-so-little celebration, and come back for the many other things happening here in the Kern River Valley throughout the year
File photo courtesy of Kern River Courier
Anchors away Cruising in a boat is just one of the many things you can do here in the Kern River Valley during the summertimes.
Vintage photo courtesy Chuck Barbee
If you were standing in the middle of downtown Old Kernville many years ago, this is what you would have seen as you turned from left to right. At left is the old A. Brown Store and at right is the Mountain Inn, where many celebrities stayed. In the middle left of center is old Doc Smith’s place.
HUNGRY
RANCHER
BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER
20%Off All Meals
The Month of February,excluding specials Breakfast Try our great Homemade Chicken Fried Steak! 2 Cakes,2 Eggs,2 Bacon or 1 Sausage Pattie $3.25 Monday thru Thursday 7:00 -11:00am
Dinner Specials Friday- All You Can Eat Fish & Chips Sunday- All You Can Eat Fried Chicken Specials start at 11:00am 6106 LAKE ISABELLA BLVD, LAKE ISABELLA
760-379-3663
3628 Suhre Street Lake Isabella
Next to Crossroads Shell Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm
RMW Mobility
Service All powerchairs, manual wheelchairs, lifts, servicing, repair & accessories
Steam Powered Model RMWS
Serving Veterans and the disabled everywhere. Please feel free to give us a call anytime; just ask for Bob or Maggie Weigel. Veteran & Family Owned
P.O. Box 2452 Lake Isabella Office:760-379-8317 Fax:760-379-8969 Authorized repair for Pride, Champion, Rascal, Jazzy & more.
Owner: Lisa Stephens
760-549-0077
Kern River Motors Offers Extended Warranties. Special Financing, Motorcycle Products and Parts Including Oil and Filters.
This HARLEY "HOG" AINT NO PIG!!! Kern River Motors offers something new! The HOG WITHOUT THE MESS along with motorcycle oil, parts, service & accessories! Give us a call, well get you out of “The PIG PEN”!!! 2003 Harley Davidson 100th Anniversary Edition Sportster New Z-Style Handlebars, Lowered Rear Shocks, Forward Controls, and much, much, more. Only: $4,500.00 All prices plus government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any deal document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Prices good through February 19, 2010.
KERNVILLE BEAR STORE • Carved Bears • Log Furniture • Cabin, Lodge & Fishing Decor • Wood & Metal Signs • Wishing Wells • Bird Houses 30 Tobias St. • Framed Art On Circle Park • Picture Frames in Kernville • T-Shirts 760-376-6405 • Candles & More
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2010 Claim Jumper
Native American history shown at French Gulch If you’re here for Whiskey Flat Days, be sure to explore the Nuui Cunni Indian Cultural Center at French Gulch, midway between Lake Isabella and Wofford Heights. The Nuui Cunni Indian Cultural Center is one of the jewels in the crown of our local area. Located at French Gulch (between Lake Isabella and Wofford Heights), just north of the French Gulch Bridge, the Nuui Cunni (meaning “our house”) Center is a showplace for Native American artwork and cultural objects. The 3,150 square foot center is built on one of the most beautiful pieces of land in the valley, overlooking Isabella Lake with a spectacular view of Cook Peak across the lake. It houses a museum, library, gift shop, and visitors center. Managed and operated by the
Kern River Paiute Council, the Nuui Cunni Center is dedicated to preserving, restoring and teaching the Native American culture, history and traditions by providing a facility available for educational, ceremonial and social activities for Native Americans (gatherings are held there regularly) as well as the interested public. There is no charge to enter and observe the center, although donations are appreciated. Hours of operation from May through October are Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and during the winter (from November through April), 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. The building is also available for meetings, seminars, get-togethers, weddings, etc. at very affordable rates. For more information, call the center at 760-549-0800.
Who absconds with all that money? Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper
Vintage photo courtesy of Chuck Barbee
In plane view This is an aerial photo of Old Isabella before the lake went in and covered it up. The South Fork of the Kern is coming in from the right, and the North Fork is coming in from the top of the photo. The Edison Company canal serving the Borel power plant can easily be seen running down through the left of the photo. Old Kernville was five miles north of Old Isabella. The markings on landmarks are on the original photo and show the locations of a few landmarks, including the road to the South Fork (shown as “Highway 187 to Weldon.”) The Auxiliary Dam today stands in the approximate location of Old Isabella.
Come in and check out our Breakfast Specials Including:
6629 Wofford Heights Blvd. Wofford Heights
New York Strip & Eggs for $7.95 - or All you can eat Fish & Chips or Shrimp & Chips Friday Only - Special Tri-Tip BBQ $10.95 Saturday Night
Just follow the zesty aroma of our BBQ!
(760) 376-1600
(Whiskey Flat Weekend)
What would Whiskey Flat Days be without the Honorary Mayor contest? The Honorary Mayor is the head cowpoke, the big trail boss of Whiskey Flat Days. Each year the mayor from last year presides until the Sunday of the festival, which is when the new one is revealed. What gets a Whiskey Flat mayor into office? Well, money, of course, exactly how people have gotten into every office over the years. In the case of the mayor candidates, they work selflessly and pretty much continuously for a solid month, glad-
handing anyone they run into while simultaneously picking their pockets for dollar bills. Those bills and donations from merchants are turned into the Kernville Chamber of Commerce, and the candidate who has skimmed the most money gets into office. But that’s not the whole story. While the Chamber gets to keep some of it for the expense of putting on the show, a lot of the money goes to a cause or causes picked out by the candidates. See the story on Page 1 to see who’s running this year and what causes they’re raising money for.
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EXTRA! EXTRA! Mail
subscriptions to the “Everything Old is News Again!”
Yes!
I want to receive a one year mail subscription to the Kern River Courier, 52 issues, for just $35.00.
Name__________________________________________________ Mailing Address__________________________________________ City____________________________________________________ State ____________________ Zip ___________________________
This drawing shows where the locations of Old Kernville and Old Isabella were, compared to what a full reservoir looks like. It also shows the approximate location of Paligawan, the Native American village that already existed about the time the town of Whiskey Flat was founded in 1860.
Complete and mail subscription form, check or money order for $35.00 to: Kern River Courier P.O. Box 1145, Wofford Heights, CA 93285 ph: 760-376-2860 fx: 760-376-2862
Year Round Camping
RiverView RV Park Circle Park
Sirretta St
We are the only campground located on the Kern River with a private beach. And... just a few steps away from town!
Kernville Road
■
N Bridge
■ Fire Rings/Grill ■ Full Hookups ■ Dump Station ■ 50 AMP ■ Ice & Firewood ■ Tents Welcome For Sale ■ Hot Showers (included) ■ Vacation Trailers For Rent ■ Laundry ■ Picnic Tables ■ Camp Club Member Also Monthly (Long term) Sites RV Storage & Trailer Spoting Available 24 Sirretta Kernville, CA www.campkernville.com
760-376-2345
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2010 Claim Jumper
ORIGINS continued from page 5 Ceremonies was added in 1961. Lloree Knowles, who organized the first parade, was chairman for the majority of the twelve parades held up through 1973. Many outstanding entries were brought to these parades. The Epitaph Contest began in 1959, with entries arriving from as far away as Pennsylvania that year. Other events added included the Whiskerino Contest, Authentic Costumes, Anglers Casting Contest, Horseshoe Pitchers, Trap Shoot Contest, Greased Pig Contest, Children's Animal Parade and Pet Contest, and Oldtime Fiddlers Contest. Trophies were given for the winning entries. There were always plenty of activities planned to keep things interesting. Of note were conducted tours to points of historical interest including the mining sites of Keyesville and Havilah. There were barbecued beef dinners served at the Odd Fellows Hall by the Kern Valley Future Farmers of America, as well as a Flap-Jack Breakfast served Sunday morning, and the Artists' Breakfast served at Ewings-on-the-Kern. Down through the years, other things included at various times were Old Fashioned Box Socials, Old Timers Picnics and Reunions, a Candidates' Ball for those running for the office of mayor, and Talent Shows. All of the various civic groups in Kernville did their part to add excitement and flavor of the rough and tumble life style that typified Kernville's pioneer past. The Vigilantes manned by the Kernville Lions Club staged mock holdups and shooting scrapes, and the Kernville Kapers were put on by the Kernville Business and Professional Womens Club. While there is not space to list all those who contributed a lot of time and effort to the Whiskey Flat Celebration, some of those best remembered for doing more than their share were Leland Scott, Lloyd Spradlin, and Jerry Friedman. They and others made up the group of citizens who worked year after year at whatever job they were given, and their cooperation is the main reason Whiskey Flat Days has been such a success. Not only were Whiskey Flat Days set up to bring extra business into the Valley during a slow period, but since the first year the Kernville Chamber of Commerce has endeavored annually to set aside money to be used for the building of a community center. All the organizations and individuals who worked with the Chamber to achieve this goal are too numerous to list here, but two groups that contributed significantly were the Kern
River Valley Historical Society and the newly formed Kernville Colonels. Finally, in 1973 the dreams of fifteen years were taking shape and an impressive looking plant was being raised on the corner of Kernville Road and Sierra Way. This building, when completed and landscaped, would be valued in excess of $75,000.
It took a lot of people pulling together to finally achieve this goal. So, even though Old Kernville is covered by Isabella Lake, the same friendly spirit of cooperation still prevails in the town upriver that took its place. It can truly be said that it is the people, not the location, that makes a town.
Michael Batelaan/Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper
The Whiskey Flat Days rodeo is always highly anticipated, with the very best in rodeo professionals giving their all and thrilling spectators with an authentic, big-time rodeo.
Talk to the ACE Hardware experts at FENCING WIRE & POSTS TOOLS OF ALL TRADES
L & M LUMBER! CUT TO ORDER LUMBER • NAILS, NUTS & BOLTS PICKS & SHOVELS • PIPE & FITTINGS BRICK, BLOCK & MORTAR • HOUSE & BARN PAINT PUT SOME ROOTS DOWN WITH OUR FLOWERS, PLANTS AND TREES!
WE DONE GROW’D TO OVER 20,000 SQUARE FEET OF
HARDWARE HEAVEN HAPPINESS
Just a hop, skip and jump outside Whiskey Flat 4700 Lake isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella, 760-379-4631 HOURS: Monday - Friday 7- 6 Saturday & Sunday 8 - 5
2010 Claim Jumper
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More history is to be found at museum Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper
We hope you enjoyed reading about Old Kernville. There are many more historical photos than we could possibly use, and lots of stories and artifacts and maps and all kinds of good stuff at the Kern Valley Museum in Kernville. It’s not hard to find-- it’s across the street from Alta One Credit Union on Big Blue Road. If you like exploring the history of this area (and there’s a powerful lot of history here), the museum is a good place to start. Join the Kern River Valley Historical Society. They can tell you
how at the meeting, because they run the place. If you want some great history, pick up Bob Powers’ books (he wrote nine of them) at the library, or Marge Powers will be selling them again at Whiskey Flat Days. Look for her ad in this Claim Jumper. Ardis Walker’s books are a requirement, too. Ken Wortley was another. A memoir of Old Kernville just before the lake went in is available, if you want to read about what the place was like. It’s called “River Children,” written by Barbara Hinkey and Pat McPherson. You can get it through http://www.riverchildren.net/
Vintage photo courtesy of Chuck Barbee
At right is the Kernville Hotel, built by N.P. Petersen in Old Kernville. The hotel and 22 houses burned down in 1891. For a timeline of Kernville’s history turn to page 2.
IN KERNVILLE CIRCLE
760-376-1818
OPEN 7 DAYS 4:00AM
Serving Fresh donuts & pastries full menu breakfast & lunch dinners Friday & saturday
Serving Friday & saturday special fish or shrimp w/chips
Lanny Borthick
captain’s platter w/both
Residential Commercial New Construction & Remodel
General Contractor
or
largest scoop in town ice cream smoothies floats & shakes full service dining room in back
Lic. #269081
P.O. Box 910 Kernville, CA 93238 Office 760-376-6800 Fax 760-376-1710
21 historic buildings featured on The History Channel & The National Directory of Haunted Places. Antiques shops, museum displays, self & docent guided tours. 20 minutes from Kernville... 100 years back in time! Open Sat. & Sun. 10 am to 4 pm or by appointment anytime. 3829 Lake Isabella Blvd., Bodfish, Ca. 93205 Ph: 760-379-5146
10 %O ff Sa le! &
On all ite ms Feb ru ary 12, 13, 14
OPEN DAILY 9am to 5pm • 760-376-6158
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2010 Claim Jumper
B&B BBQ
13423 Sierra Way, Kernville 760 - 376-2525
Come on in and enjoy GREAT SMOKED BBQ, listen to some good music, have a nice Cold BEER or a refreshing SODA with Fresh peanuts on every table Serving Indian Wells10.5% Alcohol Beer: Mojave Red & Mojave Yellow Lobotomy Bock Lager ONLY $3.50 a Bottle Also Bud, Bud Light, Miller Light, Coors Light, Heineken, Samuel Adams, Sierra Nevada, Pale Ale, Corona Stella Artois, & Bass Ale
SANDWICHES
Served with Fries 1/2 pound Ground Chuck Burger 1/2 pound Bacon Burger 1/2 pound Bacon Cheese Burger Foot Long Hot Dog on a Hoagie Bowl of Roadhouse Chili served with Texas toast Shredded Chicken smothered in BBQ sauce Shredded Harris Ranch Beef smothered in BBQ sauce Smoking Cow Jalapeno, Bacon, Swiss, ½ pound Burger Smoked Pork, smothered in BBQ sauce Smoked Harris Ranch Tri-Tip
Smoked Tri-Tip or Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad with Romaine lettuce, homemade croutons, shredded parmesan cheese
Whiskey Flat Weekend Special Friday and Saturday Night 5pm-11pm Combination plate of smoked ½ Rack of Ribs & Smoked Tri-Tip , Dinner Salad , two homemade Sides, You also get Dessert,& BOTTLE of WINE ALL for only $35.00
Desserts
Milk Shakes (Chocolate/Vanilla) Banana or Coconut Cream Pie Peanut Butter Pie White Chocolate Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Mother Load Chocolate Cake
APPETIZER BASKETS Mozzarella Sticks Jalapeno Poppers Beer Battered Onion Rings Battered Mushrooms Zuchini Sticks Basket of Fries
EXTRAS Side of Road House Chili Dinner Salad Texas Toast Homemade Baked Beans smothered in bacon and onion Green Beans smothered in bacon and onion Potato Salad Cole Slaw
DINNERS Served with 2 homemade sides Choose from: Baked Beans, Green Beans, Potato Salad or Cole-Slaw Full Rack Smoked Pork Baby Back Ribs ½ Rack Smoked Pork Baby Back Ribs Smoked Harris Ranch Tri-Tip Smoked 2.5lb 1/2 Chicken 14oz Harris Ranch NY Steak Big Bob's Belly Buster Cod Combination Dinners ½ Rack & ½ Chicken • Tri-Tip & ½ Chicken ½ Rack & Tri-Tip
Valentine's Day Special 21.95 Mounds of Shredded Angus Prime Rib Served with Brie Mashed Potatoes & Homemade Green Beans made with bacon and onion