Historical Society Happenings
Here is where we recap some of the recent events in which the Lake County Historical Society has participated.
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March 28, 2010: The second floor of the historic Courthouse Museum in Lakeport was a full house as LCHS members attended the most recent General Membership meeting.
In addition to refreshments and the company of fellow members, LCHS members were treated to a talk given by Karan Mackey describing the history of the Lakeport English Inn, which also happens to be her current residence. After the talk, there was a tour of the first floor of the museum.
The Courthouse Museum on Main Street in Lakeport.
LCHS members filled the old courtroom on the second floor of the Courthouse Museum.
Karan Mackey discourses on the history of Lakeport English Inn.
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February 5, 2010: As seems to be our historical tradition, we are once again very late in thanking our members and presenter for their participation in the Lake County Historical Society’s most recent event. The Lucerne Senior Center served a delicious turkey dinner to a packed house at our annual Thanksgiving Dinner meeting on November 22, 2009.
Local historian Phil Smoley presented an outstanding lecture about several of Lake County’s early characters and the fascinating stories that brought them here. The audience was captivated by the presentation that illuminated the connection between the Civil War, Ghirardelli Chocolates, the Lick Observatory, and the preservation of Clear Lake at the Grigsby Riffle.
Our Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Greg Dills in recognition of his devoted work and accomplishments as the project manager of the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum. For his efforts in spearheading the project, Greg stands out amongst a fine group of volunteers that has worked tirelessly to bring that dream closer to reality.
Kay Ridgeway, of Kelseyville, was the lucky winner of Daisy Gawellek’s spectacular hand-stitched quilt. We sincerely thank Daisy for her gracious donation. Also, thanks to everyone for purchasing tickets for the raffle, which raised $503 towards the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum.
As usual, there was a crew of volunteers who deserve special thanks for making this event run smoothly: Jean Beeson, Kevin Engle, Jinjer Hearn, Penny Lunt, Tony Marchese, KC Patrick, Florence Peck, Bonnie Skee, Sheralyn Riewarts, and Nick Voegtly.
Last but not least, thank you everyone for attending and making our Thanksgiving dinner a huge success. Please be on the lookout for our next upcoming event!
(Submitted by Jaclyn Ley.)
Below, Kay Ridgeway with her quilt.
June 28, 2009: Scores of LCHS members braved triple-digit heat to attend the annual Society potluck picnic, which was an historic event in itself as it was the first picnic held at our Clubhouse in Nice. The Clubhouse had been decorated and well arranged for the event. In the kitchen were a new sink and refrigerator, yet more signs of the Society’s progress
Attendees enjoyed grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and drinks provided by the Society. Many guests brought side dishes and desserts which were also relished.
Two speakers were on hand. Dave Morgan discussed his book It’s Lonely At The Top, which is a history of Lake County’s only railroad. Phil Smoley (A repeat speaker!) gave an interesting talk on Kit Carson’s brothers and their relationship to Lake County.
Please see the photo summary below!
LCHS member signing in at the picnic.
The crowd gathers inside the Clubhouse at the start of the event.�
The new sink and refrigerator in the Clubhouse kitchen.
Dogs and burgers on the grills.
The membership lines up for chow.
Desert was an unbelievably good chocolate cake!
Dave Morgan describes publishing his book It’s Lonely At The Top.
The crowd listens intently.
Phil Smoley begins his talk on the (Kit) Carson brothers in Lake County.
This was Phil’s third talk (At least!) at LCHS events. His lectures are always good!
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�April 26, 2009: The Society was treated to one of the most impressive examples of restoration of a Lake County historical location when it held its General Membership meeting at the Tallman Hotel and Blue Wing Saloon in Upper Lake. After a sumptuous brunch in the beautiful outdoor dining area on the grounds, members listened to hotel owners Bernie and Lynne Butcher recount the process they went through to obtain and restore the hotel property, which had been vacant and dilapidated until they came to the rescue. After the talk the Butchers gave LCHS members a tour of the hotel and of the livery stable adjacent to it, which was restored by Sheldon Steinberg.�
The Butchers’ efforts and sacrifices have certainly paid off. Today the Tallman Hotel and Blue Wing Saloon are easily two of the finest guest establishments in the county!
Please see the photographs below for a pictorial summary of this great event!
The beautifully restored Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake.
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The livery stable.
A fine brunch was served in the outdoor area between the hotel and the saloon.��
After brunch, LCHS members and guests gathered in the meeting room.�
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Bernie Butcher tells the tale of the Tallman’s restoration. �
Bernie and guests in the lobby of the Tallman Hotel.�
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The interior of the livery stable, now home to a huge collection of antique plumbing fixtures.�
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February 22, 2009: On Sunday, February 22, members of the Lake County Historical Society were treated to a very interesting lecture/performance by Barbara White, who enlightened us all regarding the clothing worn by true ladies during the Victorian Age. Scores of LCHS members braved the rain to pack the Gard Street School gymnasium in Kelseyville in eager anticipation of the event, which was presented as a “strip-tease in reverse.” Starting with the barest essentials that decency would allow, Ms. White then added layer upon layer of clothing until she was finally ready and able to adequately confront the society of the Victorian day. Everything was done with thorough explanation, and in a question and answer period following the dress-up White provided much additional information to the fact-hungry crowd. All in all, it was yet another superior historic presentation, courtesy of the Lake County Historical Society.
See below for some photos of the event.
LCHS President Randy Ridgel addresses the crowd before the event.
The “reverse strip-tease” begins.
A bell-shaped undergarment gives body to the skirt.
Barbara White is now ready to properly confront society.
Ms. White takes questions from the crowd.
A well-dressed Victorian lady with some of her personal accessories.
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�November 23, 2008: You can read a recent�article on the online Lake County News about�current Historical Society projects here: http://lakeconews.com/content/view/6417/764/.
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�September 28, 2008: LCHS held its most recent General Membership meeting at the Live Oak Senior Center in Clearlake Oaks. A capacity crowd enjoyed the event, which included reminiscences from long-time local residents Gail Jonas, Lee Morine, Elizabeth Paddock, and Dennis Pluth. It was a joy to be able to listen to the speakers and hear their�tales of�growing up in the area,�which were in turn funny, poignant, and, of course, interesting and historical. Please see the pictures of the meeting below.
The Live Oak Senior Center in Clearlake Oaks.
Society members in the center before the speaker program began.
LCHS President Randy Ridgel (left, with microphone) and guest speakers Lee Morine, Elizabeth Paddock, Gail Jonas, and Dennis Pluth.
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August 28 - 31, 2008: The Society manned a booth at the Lake County Fair offering�news about�the Mount Konocti purchase project, books for sale, and general information about LCHS and its activities.
Volunteers man the LCHS table at the Lake County Fair.
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June 22, 2008: Everyone had a fine time at the annual LCHS picnic, which was held at the Lakeside County Park on June 22. Starting at 1 p.m., the several hundred attendees enjoyed good company, good food, a good raffle,�and the usual good guest speakers.
Skies hazy with smoke from the recent Northern California wildfires, however, fairly much blocked the view of the topic of those speakers — Mount Konocti and the possible acquisition thereof. After an interesting and informative talk on the geology of the mountain by Geologist David Adam, Lake County Supervisor Rob Brown and Analyst for the Public Works Department Jacque Armstrong explained the acquisition process and outlined possible county plans for the property once it is acquired. The audience paid rapt attention and asked many questions about this important project.
A�pictorial account of the picnic is�below.
Welcome to the picnic!
LCHS booths.
Raffle prizes.
One view of the event.
Another look.
A fine spread of food was on hand.
Geologist David Adam explained the geology of Mount Konocti.
Historical Society President Randy Ridgel.
Rob Brown and Jacque Armstrong.
Brown and Armstrong with a map of Mount Konocti.
A raffle prize being drawn.
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April 27, 2008: The LCHS held its most recent meeting for general members at the new clubhouse in Nice. The meeting was very well attended and the clubhouse was filled almost to capacity.
The featured speaker was Bob Lossius, Assistant Director of the Lake County Department of Public Works, who gave a very interesting lecture on the history of the levees on the north edge of Clear Lake. The construction of those�levees resulted in the destruction of much of the natural wetlands in the area, and an extensive effort is now underway to restore a large portion of those natural areas. Mr. Lossius provided the rapt audience with a thorough progress report on the current status of that effort. He also made several handouts available which provided�information additional to that given in his talk.
Also on hand was local author K. C. Patrick, who spoke about (and sold!) copies of her new book The Pomo of Lake County. This book is an entry in the “Images of America” series, and anyone who is interested in the history of the local Native Americans should get a copy.
Ample refreshments were available to the crowd, and several lucky attendees went home with prizes won in the raffle.
The meeting was additionally siginificant — even historical! — in that it was the first assembly of the general membership of the Lake County Historical Society ever to be held in our very own building!
See below for a photographic summary of the meeting.
Temporary signs assure attendees that they’re at the right place.
The clubhouse parking lot was close to overflowing.
Society President Randy Ridgel addresses the crowd.
It was almost a full house at the new Nice clubhouse.
Bob Lossius describes the progress of the project to restore wetlands to the northern part of Clear Lake.
K. C. Patrick discusses her book The Pomo of Lake County.
A lucky raffle winner selects the next prize winner.
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April 19, 2008: The Society had a booth at the the�Earth Day Event�at the Calpine Geothermal Visitor Center in Middletown. The weather was great (if a bit windy) and attendance was fine too, as hundreds of spectators enjoyed the activities and presentations. Among the many booths�at the fair�was one set up by the Lake County Historical Society to solicit memberships, sell books, and answer questions. Many people stopped by the booth to express interest in the Society and its projects.
The LCHS booth.
Books on sale at the Society’s booth.
