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ov advertisements

inyo
Jennifer Brooks Duncan writes:
After citizens stormed the Courthouse in 1980 a Groundwater Ordinance was established by Inyo County Supervisors but then DWP refused to abide by it so Inyo County sued LADWP which by 1984 the County Board caved and decided to settle by entering the infamous Long Term Water Agreement, for which many, to this day, say was a sell out. As you can see readily then and now a sore subject. Great cartoons in these Newsletters!
February 2022


Terry Fairfield writes:
In 1979/1980, I worked for Inyo County Road Dept. DWP was pumping a lot of water into the aqueduct the trees that had been there for 20/30 years started dying. Locals started putting yellow ribbons on the dying trees in protest to the lowering water table due to pumping. Also DWP started metering the homes in small towns instead of a flat water fee. I left in 1980, so I missed the cartoons.
February 2022


inyo mono guide
fishing guide
fishing guide
fishing guide

bar

All Advertisements from the following sources unless otherwise noted.
Lone Pine Stampede
Inyo County Newsletter
Inyo Register
Inyo-Mono Fishing Guide
Inyo-Mono Newsletter
Big Pine Citizen

See USE NOTICE on Home Page.

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1953
guide

Randy Tolle writes:
That is the oldest Inyo Mono guide I believe I have seen. Thanks.
February 2022

Tim Walker writes:

In 1953, my mom caught a world record trout ( german brown) on Crowley lake, 18 lbs 9 ozs. That same year dad got a job at Hot Creek fish hatchery! What a life I lived.
February 2022


guest k ranch
Rocking K Ranch
golden state cafe
Golden State Cafe
packing in

Suzanne Edmonds writes:
I grew up at the Rocking K and remember the night the restaurant burned. It was our go-to place for family special dinners. We used to like to sit in front of the big fireplace. My parents knew the Kinmonts well. A little boy our family knew well drowned in that pond in 1976. I never looked at it in the same way after that.

Sara Robinson writes:
They used to let you go out to the pond next to the restaurant and catch your own fish, which they'd then cook up for your dinner. I remember a few special family-nights-out there, too.

Toni StocktonBamer writes:
I loved the Rocking K restraunt. I remember Floyd Morgan and his country western band playing there it was my parents Anniversary. So sad when it burned down.

Bruce A. Routt writes:
Loved the Rocking K. Great food and had great bands and dances there. In my book I wrote there is a couple of pictures of the fire in 1974 and I’m standing next to the propane tank behind the restaurant!

Emmett Whistler writes:
In the ‘50s and 60s the Rocking K owner, Bill Kinmont, cooked the steaks over the fireplace grill. Wonderful place for dinner and relaxation around the fish pond.




beacon tavern
Beacon Tavern
Sonia Robledo writes:
Buddy Garner tended bar there (Beacon Tavern). It was already "a place" in the 1930s when my folks would drive up from Los Angeles.

Auntie Bee writes:
Date night destination
(Beacon Tavern)for my folks and also where my brother's wedding dinner and reception took place.

Glenn Courtney writes:
My wife and I went to the Beacon Tavern a few times when we were dating (late 1950s). Dinner and dancing.

Harriett Davis writes:
My Dad played the trumpet with the band every weekend at the Beacon Tavern.

Judd Symons writes:
I watched the Beacon Tavern burn down as BVFD training exercise. I had no idea how old I was, but between 1970 and 1975 seems right.

Elaine Birmingham writes:
Great food by Olley dancing in the bar on the weekends. My Mother worked second job for many years. Owned by Art Schalang. A hot spot for many years along with the Embers, Rocking K. Ken B

Carol Weaver writes:
Worked there for years. Great place for dancing too.

Rob Miller writes:
Yes, had a job washing dishes there in the mid 70’s

Sue Butler writes:
My mom supposedly sat next to Buck Owens at the bar there once

Dean Dougherty writes:
Great food throughout the year, but for celebrating at Labor Day it was unsurpassed.



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Packing In . . . To Top Spots

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1954
guide
rodeo
1953 Lone Pine Stampede Contestants
L/R: Bernardine Peterson, Jean Raye Adams (Stampede Queen), Bev Hunter (Grand Marshall and Owens Valley stockman), Joan Hill, Winona Christenson e

Jan Skinner McRoberts writes:

Winona Christenson was my mom. I love her and miss her much.
April 2022

chalfant press

Chalfant Press

taxidermy

Dave Wiltsie Taxidermy
the westerner
The Westerner Cafe
julios
Julios Sierra Cafe

hills
Hill's Save-Ur Self

fales
Fales Hot Springs
copper kettle
The Copper Kettle Coffee Shop
rustys
Rusty's Cocktail Lounge
the lakes

California Electric
Various comments from April 2022

Michael Rogers writes:
My mother work at the Copper Kettle. And before I married my wife she worked there in the laundry with Nellie Salazar . I knew Shirley>

Suzanne Story Harrelson writes:
I worked at the Copper Kettle in 1982

Bonnie Roripaugh writes:
And, it was the Copper Kettle, it was the Kitty Lee Inn!. My great uncle Charlie Gilbert was the chef. Many years ago! Bonnie Jarvis. I vaguely remember that. My grandpa George A. Jarvis was a contractor at the same time as Bob McGraw (sort of competitors at the time?..both contractors). Grandpa was brother to Bertha married to Charlie Gilbert. Wow, memories!

Jane Steward writes:
The Copper Kettle was added on to the end of the Kitty Lee Inn. My dad, Bob McGraw, demolished the inn for Bill Whorff and built the Carriage Room and The Sugar and Spice Room as well as enlarging Charlie’s Room. Masie named the complex The Town Crier. All later remodeled by Whiskey Creek.

Don Bradshaw writes:
I used to work at The Copper Kettle as a dishwasher in the 70's

Jodie Sutton writes:
I also remember Traci Mann. I guess she quit and they told her she’d have to give the Copper kettle shirt back so she took it off and handed to them . Love you Traci Mann sorry made a mistake.

Valerie Huffman-Cornwell writes:
My grandma was a waitress at the Copper Kettle in the 50’s.

Dara Powell writes:
My mom, Gebby Aubrey McMurry worked in the Kitty Lee Inn as a young girl around 1937. She met Clark Gable there and they danced down Main St!

Rocky Navales writes:
I had worked at the Copper Kettle in 1982 when I was a Sophomore. They had the best Breakfast. I would get the Crab, Avocado, and Jack Cheese Omlett's.


girl
pack train
Pack train crossing Mulkey Meadow on the way to Tunnel Meadow
girl
fisherman
Hopkins Hardware
chevron
Fear's Chevron Service
whitney cafe
Mt. Whitney Cafe
rainbow pack outfit
Rainbow Pack Outfit
schobers
Schober Pack Train
glacier
Glacier Pack Train
lloyds
Lloyd's Shoe Store
golden trout camp
Golden Trout Camp
culvers
Culver's Sporting Goods
casino girl
corral
The Corral Cafe and Bar
chevron
W. W. Raper
airborne pack station
Jordan Hot Springs Dude Ranch
inyo
Burkhardt's Service
air strips
Air Strips in Inyo-Mono County
fish
beacon taver
Beacon Tavern
bedels
Bedell's
jacks
Jack's Waffle Shop
texaco
Manterola's Texaco Service
maries kitchen
Marie's Kitchen
sportsmans motel
Sportsman's Motel - Florence's Coffee Shop
symons
Symon's Flying Service
tonys
Tony's Service Station
mt whitney pack trains
Mt. Whitney Pack Trains
willow motel
Willow Motel
country store
Mair's Country Store
high sierra pack trains
High Sierra Pack Trains
Various comments from February 2022

Dee Berner writes:
Archie's Dean's High Sierra Pack Station is Onion Valley Pack Station, part of the Sequoia Kings Pack Trains operations; still in continuous operations since 1872.

Lauralyn Belwish Hundley writes:
The High Sierra Pack Station was partially headquarted at the present Mt. Williamson Motel in Independence. Our historic cabins housed the packers. A 90 year old former packer told us cabin 5 Baxter was once called the upside down horseshoe.
rock creek pack train
Rock Creek Pack Station
fronter pack train
Frontier Pack Train
mcgee creek
McGee Creek Pack Station
owens river ranch
Bill & Alice Alpers Owens River Ranch
sinks
Sink's Cafe
high sierra inn
Crandall's High Sierra Inn
bogards
Bogard's Camp
robinson
Allie W. Robinson Pack Trains
jay pearce
Jay Pearce Pack Stations
pine cafe
Bill's Knotty Pine Cafe
casino girl
sierra motel
Perry's Sierra Motel
cottonwood pack station
Cottonwood Pack Station
olancha texaco
Olancha Auto Service
cowboy
bob white
Bob White's Flying Service
Olivas Pack Train

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1955
guide
rodeo
1954 Lone Pine Stampede
L/R: Donna Lee Brainerd, Lenis Brown, A. A. Brierly of Independence (Grand Marshall),
Joan DuFault, Sue Sanders, Joy Warrick (Stampede Queen)
convict lake resort
Convict Lake Resort
hot creek ranch
Hot Creek Ranch
pine creek pack train
Pine Creek Saddle and Pack Train
nan and max
Nan and Max Long Valley Resort
The Slim Princess
Page 1, Page 2
slim princess
circle h ranch
Hunewill Circle-H Guest Ranch
frontier pack train
Frontier Pack Train
mammoth pack outfit
Mammoth Pack Outfit

Annie Putnam writes:

I worked for Frontieer Pack Train when Dink Getty owned it.
February 2022

little antelope
Little Antelope Pack Station
little lake garage
Little Lake Garage
mono village pack train
Mono Village Riding and Pack Station

planting fish
Members of the local Department of Fish and Game staff load the fingerling fish into the large cans before they take off on one of their fish-planting flights in the High Sierras. They drop thousands of these tiny trout from an altitude of about 200 feet and save hundreds of hours in their planting job in the high lakes.
tom bramlette
Tom Bramlette

jordan hot springs
Jordan's Hot Springs, in the High Sierra back-country west of Monache Meadows, is another well-known resort. The photo above pictures part of the camp located near the mineral springs which are popular with many sportsmen. Near Red Rock and Nine Mile Creek and only a few miles from the Kern River, the area boasts Golden and Rainbow Trout in abundance. Jordan's Camp can be reached by plane from Grant or Lone Pine to Monache Meadows . . . and thence by pack train. Or, you can pack in from any one of three pack stations located at Sage Flat, not far from U.S. Highway 395.
corral cafe and bar
The Corral Cafe and Bar

jordan hot springs
Jordan Hot Springs

Larry Jordan writes:
Jordan Hot Springs: Named for my great great grandfather John Jordan.
April 2022

David Merrigan writes:
I did a lot of swimming in the hot spring. The hot springs made my dad’s shoulder feel better. He got it injured in WWII.
April 2022

sequoia kings pack train
Hall's Pack Trains
airborne pack station
Airborne Pack Station
hiltons camp
Hilton Lakes Camp
ranch house cafe
Tucker's Ranch House Cafe
sullivans
Little Lake Cafe and Hotel
Sullivan's Chevron Gas Station
gil's oasis
Gill's Oasis
bob whites
Bob White's Flying Service
golden trout camp
Golden Trout Camp
chuck wagon bread
Lone Pine Bakery
tony's
Tony's Service Station
inyo mono

bar
church
bar

1956
guide
nellie Bly
Nellie O'Bryan checks the packs on her mules before the return trip.

Nellie Bly O’Bryan – actress, Charlie Chaplin’s private secretary, High Sierra guide & cook and packer for Elmer Jensen’s Frontier Pack Train.
At the time (1950s), Nellie was one of only two licensed women guides in California. She got her first glimpse of the Sierra Nevada while filming "Thundering Herd" at Mammoth Lakes in 1927
. .
nellie bly
Three of the men in the party to Thousand Island got their deer.
L/R: Nellie O'Bryan, Harry Witman, Roy Palmateer, Gardner Bernard, and Ed Pogue. These men are all from Oceanside

Jen Roeser writes:

Were guides required to have licenses? yes - we still have the licenses - from Department of Fish and Wildlife (old DFG). You had to have a license and a Bond for the State of California. I’ve had my license for 40 years. Still have it! (And the Bond). DFG now DFW has had a license requirement since early 20th century, maybe longer.The USFS used to require their permittees to have them. They no longer require that in their permits.
February 2022


High Sierra Nellie (Nellie O'Bryan)
Page 1
, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5
nellie bly
L: Nellie is shown in the costume worn as the first licensed movie projector opeator in California. "It was the first pair of women's slacks I ever saw," she recalls.
R: Nellie is made up for her part as the maid in "Breakfast at Sunrise," filmed in 1927 and starring Constance Talmadge and Don Alvarado. Nellie played in several other movies also.
girl
whites lodge
White's Lodge
girl
mammoth tavern
Mammoth Tavern
mc murrys
McMurry's Sporting Goods
love joys
Lovejoy's
come to church

Union Carbide Nuclear Company
union carbide
sierra farms
Sierra Farms
WAFFLE HOUSE
Waffe House
mt whitney cafe
Mt. Whitney Cafe

girls
Candidates for the 1955 Lone Pine Stampede Queen
L/R: Marguerite Miller, Frances Checo, Ernistine Hutter, Florence Lockridge
Various comments from February 2022

Mary Scronce writes:
Loved the Stampede! I was in the Bishopettes. We got to spend the weekend there, rode in the parade & did our drill in the arena--Later on, had fun times with their Whitney Reelers:

Mary Cole Harris writes:
I was a Lone Pine Stampede princess.

Bert Lee writes:
Frances Checo was my aunt.

Regina Stout writes:
Frances Checo was my mother I miss her. This will be the only picture I have of her. Thank you for posting.

Annette Powell writes:
That's a great picture!!!! Love it, I'm gonna copy and put on my wall, that's my beautiful grandma...Frances Checo.

Esther Hampton writes:
Frances Checo was my great aunt.

Esther Fillingame writes:
Frances Checo was my aunt too. I have never seen this picture.

1956 fair
1956 Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fair & Rodeo
carls sierra cafe
Carl's Sierra Cafe

swifts ice cream
Swift's Ice Cream


Various comments from February of 2022

Jane Smith Miller writes:
Carl's Sierra Cafe was on the west side of Main Street across from The Grill and where the theatre was.

Twila Koepp writes:
The restaurant directly across from the Sierra Trails on the east side of Main Street was Lauten's Coffee Shop in the 70's. I worked their in the late 60's as a bus girl. The Sierra Trails was where the car wash is now.

Linda Castro writes:
I worked at Carl's Sierra Cafe in '61. It was where the Seasons is now.



tonys service station
Tony's Service Station
copper kettle
The Copper Kettle
girl
tunnel ranger station
Tunnel Ranger Station
fish
cardinal
cardinal village resort
Cardinal Village Resort
cardinal
inyo lumber company
Inyo Lumber Company, Inc.
california electric company
California Electric Power Company


Various comments from February 2022

Dorothy Cleland Dessauer writes:
I remember hauling loads of cut ends and pieces of scrap lumber from there for “kindling” to start our fires in the fireplace!

Glen Courtney writes:
It’s so interesting seeing the history of our area. There are two memories here for me. I remember the saw mill in full operation and while still in high school (Bishop) in 1956, I worked at Chalfant Press which published the “Fishing” guide. Again, thank you.

Ralph Cox writes:
I worked there in the '60s.

JerryLiz Simcox writes:
My sister's first husband, Ben, worked there in the '60s.



service fishing
pine creek resort
Big Pine Creek Resort
hilton creek lodge
Hilton Creek Lodge
meadow farms
Meadow Farms Country Store
paradise camp
The Crosbys' Paradise Camp
new 06/24

Kim Carrington Wright writes:

Thank you for these pictures and messages. We think it was the summer of 1962, but several Bell Helicopter families stayed at Paradise Camp. Bell was testing helicopters near Bishop, CA, and my father was a flight test engineer. We made several trips to California, but this one was our favorite because of Rock Creek and Paradise Camp. The cabins were rustic and I remember that we played outside all day long, with other Bell Helicopter kids, up and down the creek. Not far north from Paradise Camp, Rock Creek split and there was a small island. Our cabin was right on Rock Creek and there was a bridge near our cabin. My family was Reese and June Carrington, me (Kim - I was around 10, Kyle, Dean and Wade was about 2 years of age. Thank you for sharing your pictures and stories on this site.

May 2024
jordan hot springs
Jordan Hot Springs

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1957
1957 guide

Arch Mahan's Reds Meadow Pack Train
parchers pack train
Parker's Pack Train
jay pearce
Jay Pearce Packer and Outfitter


Various comments from April 2022

Danny Leplat writes:
I worked for keith Bright (Parker's Pack Train) in the 70's and 80's and remember all the stories of the orchard and cabinsas well as bell family on Oak creek,,,

Dee Berner writes:
I happened to meet Mrs Parker one day a long time ago in the library downstairs in the Independence Courf House. We talked about Parkers Pack Station and her history. I can't recall the year now. We bought the Sequoua Kings operation which included all these trailheads. We had a long conversation.. I often think of her. In the 70' to 80 something, Jim Howell bought Parker's Pack Train along with Rainbow Pack Station out of Bishop. He became I'll with a brain tumor and wife and sons sold to Dale Berry.- both Outfits remained with one owner. Then Mike McMillion sold to us in July 1993- and we had found a buyer for the Rainbow operation at South Lake- we already had Pine Creek Pack since 1983. Husband Brian worked at Onion Valley station in 1975-76..then his folks bought the Hilton Lakes Camp & Pack Station up in Long Valley.

Barbara Langston writes:
My ex and I were trying to buy it back in 1969-70, but Gene rightly figured out neither of us were business people, and he sold it to Gary and Cookie. I can't remember their last name.


bills gril
Bill's Grill
sullivans
Little Lake Cafe and Hotel
Sullivan's Chevron Gas Station
fobes 40 motel
Fobes "40" Motel

Various comments from February 2022

Nanci Hoppler writes:
Johnny Fobes was a really nice man. A bit eccentric and very sharp, he definitely added to the flavor of the community.

Sherry Collins writes:
John fobes awsome man we taught him to waterski. He loved it. He was at my wedding. Loved John.

Rick De Vore writes:
He was my Moms teacher I believe…. Later we lived down the road from him (Rainbow Tarns).

Leida Thomas writes:
Johnny Fobes was my dad's best friend. We lived there several times, up on the hill in "Cabin 9". My dad worked all around the property. We fished in the pond, rode sleds dow the hill in winter and hiked all over. Some of my best childhood memories.

William Frederick McDaniel writes:
John bought me a silver cup when I was born. Miss fishing with him and my dad and Larry Williams.

Jeannine Baughman Hassoldt writes:
Thank you for this I’m going to share with family. I used to serve Johnny dinner each night at Tom’s Place. He finished each meal with chamomile tea. My dad used to fish up there in college. They once stayed at Fobes 40 and my dad got really sick. Mrs Fobes nursed him back to health. He never forgot her kindness. That was in the '50s.


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Elisha Cook - Inyo's Favorite "Cookie"
Page 1, Page 2, Page 3
cookie
Elisha Cook: 1903 - 1995
cookie
William Shatner and Elisha Cook - STAR TREK: "Court Martial - Season 1, Episode 20

Various comments posted in 2022

Pat Houser writes:
Dear Cookie, if you didn't know who he was, you'd never know. And dear Peggy, loved her to pieces. Loved working at Pioneer Hardware over opening of fishing season. Miss those openers, bigger holiday than Christmas. But dear Cookie how he captured the love of the kids he hauled to Sabrina, and that twinkle in his eye. Cookie was a special guy, if you didn't know who he was, you would never guess. I worked with his wife Peggy at Pioneer Hardware. Great lady, Cookie would stop by, they had stars in their eyes seeing each other. They were cute. Cookie would often take a bunch of kids up to Sabrina fishing, he even had his own little rock island they would go to. What a guy!

Tim Walker writes:
Cookie used to drink at the Rocking K Ranch, where I tended bar. I used to serve him all the time.

Lori Simpson writes:
Cookie! He was a good friend of my Dad’s.

Toni Stocktonbamer writes:
Yep he would always go into McMurrays for a drink then head out. His station wagon would have at least 5 or more dogs inside of it.

Pam Milligan Vaughan writes:
A friend was good friends with his son. One Timothy were playing baseball in the backyard on Mandich. Broke a window. Cookie was very gruff about it at first and took them into the house and told his wife to bring them milk and cookies.

Kathleen Springer writes:
He was a special guy for sure. His wife was a dear friend! They lived just a block from me when I lived in town many years ago!

Sara Robinson writes:
Cookie was the first man I ever danced with. He taught me to jitterbug at a Bishop Community Theater cast party when I was 13.

Bailey Lee McRoberts writes:
I met him in the early 70s in bishop. My mom and dad drank beer with him at the bars in bishop and my mom worked with him as she was a waitress in bishop for many years!

Terry Harper writes:
I used to see him driving around bishop with a station wagon full of dogs..he lived at Wilkerson I think

Bob Graves writes:
As a summer worker for USFS in the early seventies, I used to enjoy the occasional chat and hearing Hollywood stories while sharing lunch with him at Lake Sabrina. Humphrey Bogart, Gary Cooper, etc. were all his friends.

Ed Jones writes:
He was my mom’s landlord back in the early 1960s he and his wife lived in the house in the back and we lived in the front house. He was always very friendly and would regal us kids with his many stories about his years in show business. I still miss him to this very day.


Susan Shaw writes:
Cookie and his wife Peggy lived at Teacher's Point on Lake Sabrina during the summers. They brought kids up from Bishop to camp out with them. I loved to hang out at their camp the summer my family lived at Lake Sabrina Camp.

Sam McCay writes:
Remember Career Day at BUHS? Cookie was guest speaker for Mr. Benson’s theatre kids. I knew he was on campus because I spotted his car in the parking lot - that big pink 50’s land yacht with dog snot all over the windows.

Suzanne Story Harrelson writes:
I meet Mel Gibson and Sylvester Stallone in Cookie's driveway at his little house in Bishop. That's when I realized how short they both were, lol!

Dara Powell writes:
I used to go stay at his and aunt peggys Sabrina camp during the summer. And he took me hunting once with all his dogs. What a character! Peggy was my moms best friend. I called Aunt Piggy when I was little. She always gave us beautiful gifts for birthdays and xmas. She worked the fishing opener in our sporting goods sometimes. Cookie tied flys. Was an expert fly fisherman. I took this pic when he took me dove hunting one time. Laughed when his dogs knocked him over and snapped another one! Too funny! I met Van Heflin up at Sabrina camp. Nice man. Their dogs were their kids. They had ice cream parties for them! Great memories.


fears chevron station
Fear's Chevron Service
union oil
Union Oil Service Station
chalfant press
Chalfant Press
big pine general store
Big Pine General Store
golden trout camp
Golden Trout Camp
leavitt meadows pack train
Leavitt Meadows Pack Train
crystal craig
Crystal Crag Lodge
hunewill circle h
Hunewill Circle-H Guest Ranch
meadow farms
Meadow Farms Country Store
aberdeen resort
Aberdeen Resort
inyo
Hank DeYound Enterprises
ranch house cafe
Arlene and Willie Ranch House Cafe
mt whitney
King of the Mountains: Bill Burrud's Trip to the Summit of Mt. Whitney
Page 1
, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5
bill burrud
Bill Burrud: 1925 - 1990
Bill opened his "Wanderlust" episodes with the following song.
"The Happy Wanderer"

bill burrud
Bill Burrud starred in many movies as a child.


Hal Eaton writes:
If anyone finds those Wanderlust episodes anywhere, I would be interested in a show from the mid 50’s done around the Lakes in Mammoth. One section shows a young boy and his dog fishing at Lake Mamie. That boy was me the dog was Rip. Rip would pull me out of bed every morn to go fishing. As I caught fish, I would drop them on the ground, Rip would play with them till they stopped jumping around. I would the put rhem on my stringer. We fished till I caught my limit, 15 at that time, then take them to our cabin opposite White’s Lodge and clean them. Mom would smoke the fish daily. Great memories.
April 2022

Tom Wells writes:
Bill stayed every summer with his family at Crystal Crag Lodge on Lake Mary. My family enjoyed his visits.
April 2022

Ed Turner writes:
I was a packer for Mt. Whitney Pack Trains at Whitney Portal when they were packing the mules and headed out.= lots of camera equipment.
April 2022



rodeo
1957 Fair and Rodeo
golden state cafe
Golden State Cafe
pioneer hardware
Pioneer Hardware




Various comments from April 2022

Ed Brown writes:
Loved Pioneer Hardware! The smell was amazing! Got my first cowboy belt buckle there. Wish it was still there!

Bert Lee writes:
My dad bought horseshoes at Pioneer Hardware. Carl gave me a Australian Shepherd puppy when I was a kid.

Lynne Greer writes:
My dad worked at Pioneer Hardwarein the winter when our lodge was closed.

June Coons-Bryan writes:
My great uncle worked at Pioneer Hardware! Always got my model horses there!

Mary Scronce writes:
Pioneer always had horse stuff that I needed!! I was always saving for something. I still have the Farberware sauce pans they gave us for wedding present.

Ed Brown writes:
I played fast pitch softball for the Golden State Bar and Grill in the mid 60’s haha. I was only 15 so I didn’t get to attend the pre-game meetings there if you know what I mean.

Gail Guthrie Scott writes:
Did you (Pat Houser) for Carl and Clair at Pioneer Hardware? Clair was my grandmother sister. They both grew up on the ranch northeast of Brockman Corner.

Pat Houser replies:
Yes indeed, great people. Claire was so petite. Carl always helped the movie crews when they were in town. My favorite times working there was opening of fishing season and Christmas. I knew Carl did a lot of location work when the studios were shooting up here. He did a lot of work on Paladin with family friend producer Howard Joslin. Carl also set up lodging for many studios, one busy guy. I remember Clair doing some extra work on horseback. She was incredible.

Gail Guthrie Scott writes: Claire bought really neat things for people. I loved wrapping gifts for Roma McCoy, she'd go all out between Condors and Pioneer.
Carl and Clair both did a lot for the movies. Carl was stand in for Joel McCrea and many, many other stars. Carl and Clair lived in Beverly Hills for a long time (may have returned to Bishop in 1960s) and they did a lot of stunt work and movie work there. Carl's IMDB has over 100 entries. He also used to be the main location guy for Death Valley Days. My grandmother and her two sisters were the Boyd girls (maiden name). My grandmother was Ides Boyd (graduated from Bishop Union High around 1917). She married a Bishop attorney Harvey W. Guthrie (no relation to Sharon Guthrie). Harvey Guthrie was District Attorney down in Independence from 1928 to about 1933. After, it was clear that the Los Angeles won the water war, all three girls left the Bishop area in the 1930's. But two of the girls returned. Elsie Varney (nee Boyd) and Clair Andre (nee Boyd) returned to Bishop later.
sierra farms
Sierra Farms
stan floyd
Stan F. Lloyd and Sons
harry's foods
Harry's Fine Foods
ode to a mosquito
coso air pack station
Coso Air Pack Station
snow pack
Snow Pack Restaurant
airflight cafe
Airflite Cafe
fish
gateway coffee shop
Jack's Gateway Coffee Shop
fishing
hancock service
Fred Harper's Hancock Service

Kevin McDavid writes:

Love this! As a kid, in the late 50’s, I can still remember Jack walking through his restaurant smiling and schmoozing the breakfast crowd. This was my family’s go to place in Lone Pine.
February 2022


inyo
One of the top rodeos in California is annually held in Lone Pine late in May.
L/R: Roberta Morgan (Stampede Queen), ?, ?, Henry Olivas (Stampede President), Merrill Howard (County Sheriff) - 1956

pines

Pines Cafe

arcularius ranch

Arcularius Ranch - Bill & Alice Alpers Owens River Ranch


Michael McElmurry writes:

Loved those places!! I really miss being able to stay at both of them and fish. Truly a great experience. Always had a good time, but one day I caught so many fish that I was experiencing pure joy. I went to the Alpers office and told Pam to call the sheriff and arrest me. I was convinced that having so much fun was against the law!
February 2022


jordan hot springs
Jordan Hot Springs Guest Ranch
Various comments from February 2022

Steve Heitman writes:
Jordan hot was near Jordan pack station, when they made it golden trout wilderness the Forest declared it inconsistent with a wilderness and seized all property. The pack station predates the forest service and the wilderness act. The pack station appealed and lost property was taken, they called in the health department for the springs who declared unsafe so the bathhouses we're dynamited. The spring now flows into the creek and is very polluted due to uncontrolled use. Dirty soak has had several eruptions near the creek so the forest service has closed it to use. Even though they have signs everywhere use at own risk it's closed no plans to open in the future deemed too dangerous

Russell Fraser writes:
I packed into Jordan hot springs back in the seventies, we were the only ones there. A couple of hands were there and had a great time. We slept in tents in a meadow, played cards in one of the cabins and they had cold beers cooled outside in a rack covered in burlap with spring water flowing through a pipe running over the top. Soaked in a makeshift tub in hot spring water down the hill. Beautiful place, great memories. I don't know if it still exists, but loved the peaceful time I had!

Thomas Highberger writes:
I remember spending the night at Jordan a number of times in 69’ working the trail and repairing phone line for the Inyo National Forest!


sierra farms
Sierra Farms
inyo lumber
Inyo Lumber Company, Inc.
swofts oce crea,
Swift's Ice Cream
inyo sierra
A Pack Trip Can Be Fun
Page 1
, Page 2, Page 3
pine creek
Pine Creek Saddle and Pack Train

bob white
Bob White's Flying Service


Various comments from February 2022

Jennifer Ivey writes:
Spent some summers there with Bob white and Frank Rodgers. Later with Dewayne Rossi. I miss not being able to take my children and grandchildren to see tunnel meadows.

Russell Boyer writes:
I used to fly into Monache with Bob White.

John E. Rich:
I also used to fly into Monache with Bob White.

Stephen Greenfield writes:
I remember that plane ride into tunnel meadows. Fun times. Neat history.
bucks
Bucks

bar

1958
guide
fishing guide
Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fair - 1958
fishing guide

California Electric Power Company
bob white
Bob White's Flying Service
swifts ice cream
Swift's Ice Cream
bishop flying service
Bishop Flying Service
tom's place
Tom's Place
red's meadow resort
Arch Mahan - Red's Meadow Resort
owens river ranch
Owens River Ranch
arch mahn
Arch Mahan
Reds Meadow Pack Train
Agnew Meadows Pack Train
bill's grill
Bill's Grill
virginia lakes pack outfit
Virginia Lakes Pack Outfit
Folks write about Bill's Grill ...

Ken Beck writes:
Owned by Bill Traglon. His Step son Larry told me his dad put the Balancing Rock up there , me in 2ND grade believed it. Larry was also 2ND grade. I wonder who told him.....Bill? It probably was 1954.

Dick Erwin writes:
I believe it was still there in 65 when I moved there, shortly the after it was the Sierra Bell.
julios cafe
Julio's Sierra Cafe
the westerner
The Westerner
jay pearce
Jay Pearce Packer and Outfitter
leavitt meadows pack train
Leavitt Meadows Pack Train
bbq hut
Crandall's Bar-B-Q Hut
christianas
The Christiania
hot creek ranch
Hot Creek Ranch
pine creek pack train
Pine Creek Saddle and Pack Train
bucks
Buck's

tri county fair
L/R: Jaydean Barr, Liz Wagstaff, Dick Whittinghill, Roberta Mortimer, Gail Fierstine
Alpine, Mono, and Inyo County Hostesses and Rodeo Queen Advertise the Tri-County Fair on L.A. TV Program:
big pine general store
Big Pine General Store
walt and buds
Walt and Bud Chevron Station
golden trout camp
Golden Trout Camp
jg motel
J.G. Motel
the corral
The Corral Bar
bob whites
Bob White's Flying Service
union oil service station
Bill Wright's Union Oil Service Station
airflight pack station
Airflight Pack Station
maries
Marie's Kitchen
foster's freeze
Foster's Freeze
culvers sporting goods
Cuilver's Sporting Goods
1958 rodeo
Bishop's 26th Annual Rodeo - 1958
airflight cafe
Airflight Cafe
fish
bishop drive in
Bishop Drive-In Theatre
turner brothers
Turner Brothers
save time burger
Save Time Burger

Various comments from April 2022

Pat Houser writes:
I loved working at Save Time Burger, senior year. Always smelled like fried food when I'd return to school. Best hot pastrami. Yum. Original owners, good people. Worked with Gretchen Ainsworth.

Ralph Cox writes:
My sister-in-law, Betty Hyzer worked at Save Time Burger and they had really good food.

Tony StocktonBamer writes:
Terri worked there it was where Jack in the box is now sorta past the car dealerships. The best fry sauce and fries.


teacher
School in Bishop
macs
Mac's Sporting Goods
movies
Bishop Theatre
left
smokey
right
fingerling planting
herrons
Herron's Sporting Goods


bar

1959
guide

welch's
Welch's Cafe
glacier pack trai
Glacier Pack Train
mammoth pack outfit
Mammoth Pack Outfit

Various April 2022 comments.

Terry Fairfield writes:
I worked at Welch's Cafe in Bishop. 67 or 68. My mom and I used to groom her poodle at our grooming shop. Anderson’s Poodles.

Michael Valdivia writes:
Everyone had their own coffee mug on the wall in Big Pine Welch’s!

pine creek pack train
Pine Creek Saddle and Pack Train
leavitt meadows pack train
Leavitt Meadows Pack Train
nelly o'brien pack train
Nellie Bly O'Bryan
cuffe guest ranch
Cuffe's Gest Ranch
loading fish
Department of Fish and Game loading a DFG plane with trout fingerlings prior to taking off for remote lakes in the High Sierra


trumpet
tree
fisherman

bar

buckaroo
bar

1962
guide
mt whitney marathon
Calvin Hansen, athlete from Colorado Springs, Colorado was once again the winner of the Mt. Whitney Marathon. He broke his previoius record with a time of 3 hours, 54 minutes, and 45 seconds. Making the presentation of the trophy here is John Aitchison, Southern Inyo Chamber president.
lundy lake resort
Lundy Lake Resort
sierra pines lodge
Sierra Pines Lodge
mt whitney marathon
gull lake lodge
Gull Lake Lodge

red's meadow resort
Red's Meadow Resort
fern creek lodge
Fern Creek Lodge

miss mono

Representing Mono county in the Tri-Count Fair in 1961.
L/R: Dorothy Cummings (Miss Coleville), Judy West (Miss Walker), Mary Lynn Seymour (Miss Lee Vining), Leanna Dennison
(Miss Benton - who was named Queen of Mono),
Maxine Liles (Miss Mono Lake), Claudia Wells (Miss Mammoth Lakes)

Various comments from February 2022

Tom Wells writes:
Claudia Wells was my sister. The day of the contest, I had backed into her leg and scuffed it. To say the least, I was in the dog house. Remember that day very well, all the girls were very nice.

Tim Walker writes:
I went to school with three of the contestants.

Mary Scronce writes:
All so pretty. Mary Seymour was a family friend Maxine was a sister-in-law.


show you the backcountry
owens river ranch
Owens River Ranch

happy jacks
Happy Jack's
red's meadow resort
Red's Meadow Pack Train
Agnew Meadows Pack Trail
rock creek pack station
Rock Creek Pack Station

the toggery
The Toggery
dave wiltsie
Dave Wiltsie Western Den Shop
tom's place
Tom's Place

rainbow pack outfit
Rainbow Pack Outfit
round valley market
Round Valley Standard Service Station

pioneer hardware
Pioneer Hardware and Sporting Goods

beacon tavern
Beacon Tavern

jim nicholas
Jim Nikolaus Glacier Service

jacks waffle shop
Jack's Waffle Shop

mt whitney cafe
Mt. Whitney Cafe
save time burger
Save Time Burger

bar

gambler

bar

1963
guide
annas
bbq bills
Bar-B-Q Bill's
packers association

Sue McLaughlin Atkinson writes:
Both me and my brother worked at Bar-B-Q Bill's back when John Oney owned it. Loved working there and the food was so yummy!

Terry Fairfield writes:
Many family meals at Bar-B-Q Bill's when family came to visit or a stop for Picnic lunches as we headed out Line Street to the mountains. My favorite lunch was their Pastrami sandwich. Was so sad when we stopped there on a trip to Independence and realized they had gone out of business


sportsman cafe
The Sportman's Cafe

Various comments from April 2022 - February 2022.

Jennifer Felock writes:
I worked at the Sportman's Cafe for both Carl Medford and Ruchard McDonald. Mom worked there for a long time .

Leilauni Holtz writes:
I remember when Aunt Polly worked at the Sportman's Cafe.

Carolyn Carrasco writes:
I worked there.

Terry Fairfield writes:
I worked at the Sportsman in 1964. It was north of the Merry Go Round on the east side. Gas station was across the highway and the Mt Whitney Cafe was south of it. I worked there the fall and winter of 1967 or 68. It was the year of the big snow, I lived in Indy and rode Greyhound back and forth for a few days. My 61 Chevy convertible was afraid of all that snow! So we went to Vegas for a few months till the snow melted. Wouldn’t it be great to have all of that SNOW again!

meadow farms
Meadow Farms Country Store
bills grill
Bill's Grill
big pine motel
Big Pine MOtel
mairs mart
Mairs' Mart
lee vining market
Lee Vining Market and Post Office
lady
harry's
Harry's Fine Foods
tri county fair
Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fair & Rodeo - 1963
copper kettle
The Copper Kettle

bar

inyo register
easiest cleaning
Geneeral Electric
iron mask
Bishop; Theatre
bishop
Bishop Theatre

Various comments from February 2022

Judy Rogers writes:
I have one of those General Electric refrigerators. It was my folks. It still runs great. The best fridge ever! It's my favorite treasure. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Leilauni Holtz writes:
I have one just like this in the great room behind the bar. My Grandparents had it when I was tiny. Still runs but the handle doesn't work well unless you use the floor pedal. A pain in the neck to defrost. They get cold.



bar

Lone Pine Stampede Advertisements
bobos
Bobo's Bonanza Coffee Shop
mairs
Mairs" Mart
indian trading post
Indian Trading Post

Various comments from April 2022

Sandra Jewitt writes:
I have so many fond memories of Mairs' Mart. I’ve never seen anything like it since! The LA Dodgers got to freeze their fish there! Omie and Glorian were so generous to them! Remember Independence Day at Dodger Stadium?

Marlene Taylor writes:
And every girl in town bought her yardage for sewing at Mairs' Mart, as well as thread, seam binding, bias tape and zippers. Alma Passage must have cut a thousand yards of fabric.

Gwen Spencer writes:
Alma was my aunt. It was a wonderful store.

Sandy Anderson writes:
Wow, memories, Mairs’ Market- you could find everything there. I’ve heard stories about some of those old businesses in LP, folks need to write a book before all those stories and memories are lost or forgotten. I was at work across the street and accidentally spilled coffee on my blouse, I went over to Mairs and found the cutest (I still remember how cute) white lace blouse and my co-workers were amazed that I bought it at the market!

Karen Liebermann Cohrs writes:
Loved the Indian Trading Post. I used to save my .25 allowance and buy Christmas presents there!

coral bar
The Corral Bar
inyo cafe
Inyo Cafe
mc murry cafe
Mc Murry's Cafe
rancho samataguma
Rancho Samataguma
rossis
Rossi's Cafe and Tavern

Sonia Robledo writes:

So, what I knew as Rossi's Corral, which was where the drugstore is now, the back bar was from Skidoo? I never knew that! And yes, I wonder what happened to it? If Duane is still around up in Big Pine I would think he might know. I hate to think of it being junked or sitting somewhere gathering dust. It should be on display.
April 2022
sierra chalet
Sierra Chalet Diner
sierra trails
Sierra Trails Restaurant
serving girl
gateway coffee shop
Jack's Gateway Coffee Shops
nogales club
Nogales Club & Cafe

bar

inyo mono newsletter
Training Ornery Critters


Various comments from February 2022

Dave Mull writes:
The Mule Man is my brother.

Sonia Robledo writes:
Gene was the nicest man. I worked tending bar on weekends for him when he owned the Pines. Norman is a sweetheart, too.

Emma Bills writes:
I waited tables for him through high school. I started out washing dishes, Doug Mull cooked, and I would sneak to the back side, the bar to meet up with my boyfriend, Bob Bills Dudley came in at 6:30 before school and cleaned the restaurant.

Jennifer Brooks Duncan writes:
This,I believe, was from Benett Kessler's Newsletter, published each week which brought us Real news and this certainly was Real news! Thanks for Sharing.

Mary Anne Mairs writes:
I "worked" for Gene. My pay was to be able to use a horse whenever I wanted.

Pearsonville - "Hubcap Capitol of the World"

Various comments from February 2022

Dana Miller writes:
I met Lucy and bought an old utility trailer from her. Real nice Lady. She drove a hard bargain but gave me a free t-shirt in the end!

Giacomo Ferrari-Met writes:
I kinda remember that Cadillac pick up around there. Our dad used to do business with by selling and buying all sorts of different things from him. She was really nice her and our mom would visit and laugh because dad and Andrew would argue about the craziest stuff.

Christopher G. White writes:
I used to live in Pearsonville in the 70s. We used to eat at the cafe.

Terry Fairfield writes:
I saw the hubcap lady on Johnny Carson many many years ago. I remember when she said she was from Pearsonville, I thought wow I’ve been by there so many times and never seen the hubcaps up close.

April Hamlin writes:
Parson Speedway was the bomb! I miss it too! I grew up there as a little girl and even raced one season just for fun



inyo mono newsletter
Sierra Trails Fire
(January 1980)

Bill Thornburg Story: Page 1, Page 2

bill thornburg
Bill Thornburg
sierra trails fire

Various comments from February 2022

Duane Warth writes:
I responded that Saturday morning with Chief Tom Noland of the LPFD while having cofee with him at the Spainhowar Ranch. As we left the ranch and turned onto N-395 the smoke column from the Sierra Trails fire was 300 feet into the sky. Most of the Lone Pine fire rigs were on scene and fighting the fire as we responded. We continued to the fire station and picked up the 1943 Dodge fire engine and continued to the fire. That fire engine today is stored at the fire station at the Manzanar site.

Twila Koepp writes:
I remember Bill Thornburgh. I went to school with his daughters and I remember the Sierra Trails burning. My late ex-husband worked there. It' was a really hard time in the county. Bill Thornburgh was well loved and his murder affected many, many people. Losing the Sierra Trails lost jobs in Lone Pine that were sorely needed.

Joanna Burkhardt writes:
I remember when Bill would take us to Mammoth skiing. I also worked at the Sierra. I was playing basketball out of town when someone told me "you don't have to work tonight, it burned to the ground. A shock and a heartbreak, all of the above stories.

Phil Dupuis writes:
I knew Bill Thornburgh well. He volunteered to drive the school bus for the LP Ski Program. He drove on many, many trips. He was a one of a kind great man!

Robyn Marie Carrasco-Colburn writes:
Really respected Bill and went to school with Callie & Tracie. You couldn't of asked for a better bunch of Cowboys.

Jennifer Feiock writes:
Steve Wilson either worked for my dad in Olancha or came in and asked for a job. I remember dad mentioning he didn't like the guy.

James Johnson writes:
The dishwasher is Janson T a guitar player in one of my first bands, haven't seen him in forever.


bar

sportsmans buffet
The Sportsman's Buffet
(Ad courtesy Hal Eaton archives)
wally n jos motel
Wally & Jo's Motel


Old 395, aka Crowley Lake Drive, Memories ... Who can forget Big Jo Duguid and her daughter Little Jo. Guests would come up in Summer and stay for a month ... Forgotten Long Valley motels. This portion of Old 395 was built when they knew the lake was finally going to be built and the waters would flood the existing road which went through Crooked Creek.

My family knew where the road had to go so various members homesteaded through Federal Land Grants what became the communities of Hilton Creek, McGee Creek, and Long Valley aka "Skunk Hollow" in the early 1900s.

My grandfather sold off MCGee around 1920 to the Keoughs who built the Lodge and resort cabins. Hilton was lost in the Watterson Bank failure. We still owned Long Valley which was subdived piece by piece through the 1970's.

( Ad and text courtesy Hal Eaton archives)

Various comments from April 2022

Hal Eaton writes:
Sportsman's had a broken fry cutter--so you got both thin and thick french fries. Nanci Hoppler taught me to dip them in my milkshake. Sitting outside by the stream and waterwheel. For awhile Sportsman's was owned by a Seventh Day Adventist so it was closed on Saturdays . . . Or maybe it was Fridays. In the sixties Sportsmans was owen by Nick & Fran, but I don't remember their last name. Nick and Fran were related to the Phil Jewett and Barbara Jewett who grew up at the fish hatchery with me.

Phil Jewett writes:
Fran and Nick opened a small steak house in Lodi, and named it " Nick's Place." Nick kept the same theme and pretty much the same dinner menu as they had at the Sportsman's.....Great steaks and the like. Not surprisingly, it became very popular with the locals. They finally retired around 1984.

Jeannine Baughman Hassoldt writes:
We moved to the area to buy the Sportman’s. Our financial partner pulled out at the last minute and we were never able to get it. Dad became a car salesman for Perry Motors and eventually a Mono County building inspector so it all worked out in the end.

Dan Herbaugh writes:
I remember the raccoons coming to the big back window eating left overs as we watched them having dinner there. Back when we could be nice and help the animals w a lil extra food.

Hal Eaton writes:
George thought Little Jo (of Wally & Jo's Motel) was an incredible waitress with a bunch of shtick sort of like that old TV show Alice.

Nancy Hoppler writes:
Leonard and Jo never changed. Leonard and Lil Jo were married on TV in Hollywood during the very beginnings of broadcast TV. They maintained their ‘40s style until they were in their late years. Jo dyed her hair jet black and wore it in a ‘40s roll in the front. Leonard tended bar at Nan and Max’s, always sporting silver lamé shirts and his pencil mustache. George Dahlquist and his wife, Annie, lived next door to Nan and Max’s, in the little white house. George had lost his leg when he was young but he was never slowed down. When he went goose hunting over on the Owens, he attached snowshoes to his crutches. If he was successful in his hunt, he’d wedge the geese’s necks in the crotch of his crutches.



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This page was last updated on 01 July
2024