In an attempt to determine the location of the photo, I've looked through some mining literature to see if there were any 10-stamp mills near Visalia, during these years. Fresno County had at least two of these mills in use between 1886-95, i.e. One mill at the Abbey (McNally) mine and another at the Last Chance mine. And Tulare County had at least one mill of this type at White River.
These particular stamp mills would have been used to help extract gold from the rocky ore.
The man sitting in this photo appears to be Asian. Many 19th century miners in California were Chinese.
(Update 4/27/14) I just realized that this photograph is in one of Annie R. Mitchell's books: The Way it Was. (1976), pg. 152. The image in the book is reversed, and it has a fuller view of the stamp mill. This is in fact at White River. Mitchell's book identifies the man on the right as David Bice James. James is an important character in both Tulare and Kern Counties' histories, e.g. Some credit him with starting the Kern River 'gold rush' of the 1850's. (Article about David B. James: PDF file)
Photo postcard view of Porterville, circa 1910. This is at the corner of Putnam Ave. and Roche St., facing east. The three closest homes here on the right side are still at this location. Notice the spelling of Portersville on this card, which was the spelling that the U.S. Postal Service used at this time. "Putman" is apparently just a misspelling of Putnam.
The photograph is by John Bowers of Long Beach, CA. Bowers produced photo postcards of scenes throughout California. On 1/17/1911, Bowers was shot to death by one of his employees, under a rather controversial set of circumstances.
Close-up:
Note the horse drawn carriages on Putnam Ave. and the unpaved street.
"Holt Block" refers to a large two-story building that was on the NW corner of Main and Court Streets.
I have a photo that may be of interest to you and I need help identifying it. My ancestors were from early Dinuba. My grandfather is in one of these photos so I believe Dinuba is the location. Looks to be WW1 era. Originals are very large panoramic style photos. Photo taken on street with many uniformed men but not military (I think). Many nurses (Red Cross)? Many flags. Many people wearing white medical masks. I have no idea! My grandfather is pictured in uniform with a gun but I know he was never in the military. It looks like half the town is in the picture. I have scanned a section of one of the originals. I need help. Could I email it to you? You could share it if you want to. If you are interested please email me at marlustroud@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteDear Frosty --
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful collection of historic TC photos!
I am a volunteer working on the Tulare County Treasures Project (please see our website: www.tularecountytreasures.org).
We will be doing an article on the Alta District Historical Society's Dinuba Southern Pacific Depot Museum. You have a terrific old shot of the depot that we'd really like to use with the article. Would you be willing to share it? If so, could you email it to me, and let me know how to credit it?
Thank you so much! Let me know if you have any questions: lschwaller1@wildblue.net.
--Laurie S./for
TCT Project Team