Southwest Sierra Then & Now - #25

Labor Day Weekend brought substantial rainfall that has settled both the dust and wildfire fears for the moment.

Stirring the pot of memories often causes more details to surface. In SS#21, referring to the gang of kids, I stated that: “as one of the oldest, I was the leader” but a memory recently surfaced of drawing straws (Ponderosa Pine needles) to decide who got to lead. This was usually in relation to another favorite outside game, war. Sometimes we would split into two groups that “fought” each other and at other times we were all on the same side fighting an imaginary foe. Pinecones were hand-grenades and we fashioned rifles from sticks. We scrambled through the woods, jumping behind trees and fallen logs for cover while making loud “rata tat tats!” and “kabooms!” Many a dramatic death scene and rescue took place on the battlefield of our imaginations.

Now we’ll go way back to a grand event that happened in Alleghany on this week 116 years ago, starting with a firsthand account from Helen Armstrong who was a little girl. “To the people of Alleghany, Admission Day was more important [than Independence Day]. I remember, but not well, the finest celebration of that historic date in 1907. In the picture of the parade, our Uncle John was in the band that led the procession. Our mother was one of the ladies on horseback, riding sidesaddle in white costumes made for the one use--- Verna Johnson [HL’s daughter] was in one float, --- Emma Wright [later married Paul Rohrig] rode on the coach as queen. Peter Flynn always made a fitting finish with his donkey and his prospector's tools.” Excerpt from Alleghany Story available at undergroundgold.orgAdmission Day parade September 9, 1907 – Helen Armstrong Collection, courtesy of Underground Gold Miners Museum

Recently, I came across another account of the day from The Daily Union, Wed. Sept. 11, 1907. ADMISSION DAY AT ALLEGHANY OCCASION WAS OBSERVED BY PEOPLE – Hospitality in Sierran Town is Most Lavish. The festivities pass off in a manner reflecting much credit upon those having charge of the affair.

Alleghany, that progressive, animated and hospitable town of southern Sierra County, added another laurel to its wreath of hospitality on Admission Day. While Alleghany has entertained lavishly in the past, Monday’s affair eclipsed all previous affairs. People were there from all the adjacent country, and the mines all took the day off and “all roads led to Alleghany”. Profusely decorated, the new business buildings looked spic and span, the streets improved and sprinkled, with the latch strings to the booming mining town hanging on the outside of every home. The visitors not only had the time of their lives but had a place to rest their heads as well.

Main Street was gaily bedecked with streamers, flags and bunting and the celebration cost the people in the neighborhood of $800 which is “going some” for a place the size of Alleghany. The festivities commenced on Saturday evening when the Alleghany Dramatic Club set the ball to rolling by giving an entertainment. A short breezy little skit entitled: “The Little Rebel” was produced. The amateurs sustained their parts admirably. There were some clever specialties.

(Story to be continued next week)

About the author: As a kid in 1975, Rae Bell (aka Pauline) moved with her family to the Ruby Mine area located between Alleghany and Downieville. She and her husband have lived in Alleghany proper since 1992. If you have news or suggestions to share, please send an email to: raebell44@gmail.com