A Place Called Home 2019

A Place Called
May a child’s laughter always bring a smile to your face.
May a front porch swing always bring you comfort and

may a mother’s prayer always bring you safely home.
Always be proud of where you came from and if anyone

ever tells you that “you can’t go home again”, just smile
and tell them that “A Place Called Home” is always just
a memory away.
A Special Publication of The Porterville Recorder

Thursday, February 28, 2019
“A Place Called Home” is a trademark of Parsons Publications and can only be used with consent of the trademark owner.
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© 2019 Suncrest Bank.

All Rights Reserved.
A Place Called
Putnam County Band in front of the Zalud House.
The Ties That Bind
Porterville State Hospital Open House on May 23, 1969.
The Howell family poses for a holiday photo in

front of the Porter Theater in 1954.
A Place Called
PAGE 2A THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER THURSDAY, Feb. 28, 2019
Bill Parsons, Publisher Welcome ‘Home’

Matthew Sarr, Editor
A
“Where we love is home — home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.”
— Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
Josie Chapman, Advertising Director
fter many months of hard work, our staff here at
Alex Larson, Circulation Director The Porterville Recorder is pleased to present our
JoAnn Flynn, Sales inaugural edition of ‘A Place Called Home.’
As we were preparing the content for this section,
Jamie Sarr, Sales there were many moments in the Recorder office where
Sonia Fuentes, Sales we would have to stop what we were doing and share the
most recent treasure uncovered with colleagues. Whether
Alexis Espinoza, City/Government Reporter it was a photo of a forgotten business, a humorous story, or
Jamie Hunt, Education Reporter an intriguing bit of trivia, the joy of discovering the latest
treasure about our hometown was simply too great not to
Nayirah Dosu, Sports Reporter share.
Fernando Medina & Rob Foster, Page Designers Now, as you hold this 90-plus-page section in your
hands, we share those treasures with you, our readers.
Chieko Hara, Photography Some of you may already be familiar with the stories pre-
Advertising (559) 784-5000 sented here, and for others it offers new insight into the
colorful history of Porterville and its surrounding commu-
Email [email protected] nities.
WEBSITE recorderonline.com Whether the stories assembled here are new to you or
not, it is our hope that you get the same amount of joy pe-
Follow Us on Twitter twitter.com/recorderonline rusing them as we did discovering and preparing them.
Like Us on Facebook facebook.com/therecordernews A special section of this size and scope involves a lot of
moving parts, and I’d like to thank a few people who were
instrumental in making this project a reality.
CONTENTS First of all, I’d like to thank Publisher Bill Parsons for
bringing the idea for this section to us here at The Recorder
when he arrived in Porterville a year ago. As he shared
with us his experiences in bringing ‘A Place Called Home’
The Ties That Bind: to many newspapers around the country during his career,
Community it wasn’t long before the staff realized that it would be
a great way to chronicle Porterville’s people, places and
Section A, pages 1-24 events for readers, and his vision became ours.
This section would be much smaller and not nearly as
Our Community’s Foundation: much fun to read without the contributions of the incom-
parable Jeff Edwards, who has chronicled Porterville his-
Business tory for decades with numerous books and thousands of
Section B, pages 1-16 photographs. Your contributions to this first edition of ‘A
Place Called Home’ and your dedication to ensuring that
the story of our hometown is not forgotten are sincerely ap-
Growing Our Future: preciated.
Thank you to the individuals and organizations that
Agriculture contributed stories and photographs to share, and last but
Section C, pages 1-16 certainly not least, I’d like to thank all of my colleagues at
the Porterville Recorder for their hard work on this section.
Whether you worked late nights finding just the right photo
What’s In A Name?: or went the extra mile to make an advertisement ‘extra spe-
Origin stories cial,’ you all answered the call to make our first ‘A Place
Section D, pages 1-16 Called Home’ a reality.
This is the beginnning of a yearly tradition for The
Recorder, so if there’s a story you’d like to share with us
Field of Dreams: for next year’s ‘A Place Called Home,’ send us an email at
[email protected].
Sports As always, we thank our readers for making The Por-
Section E, pages 1-16 terville Recorder your hometown newspaper, and we hope
you enjoy reading about the places and faces that make
Porterville a wonderful place to call home.
Matthew Sarr,
Editor
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS

In 1947 this was the Porterville Police Department. The photograph was taken by Hammond Studio. From left, Chief Richard Crumal, Desk Sgt. Emmalene Heard,
Sgt. Lloyd Hensley, Patrol Lee McKiearnan, Sgt. Wm. E. Vaughn, Asst. Chief Doyle E. Grigsby, Patrol Charles G. Jones, Patrol Ralph Posten, Capt. Kleese P. Warner,
Patrol Forrest W. Meek, Patrol Oral C. Alcorn, and Wayne McConnell was not present. In 1947 the population of the town was 6,000 people.
Here for You Then
Here for You Now.

Bank of the Sierra was built on a promise: to help make
every community we’re part of better. More than 40 years
later, we stay true to this vision by always putting our
customers, their families, and our communities first.
1.888.454.BANK
BankoftheSierra.com © Bank of the Sierra. All rights reserved.
A Place Called
Flood of ‘66: Much worse without Success Dam
RECORDER FILE PHOTOS

Rain swollen Tule wreaks havoc on homes above Succes Lake.
I
By ALEXIS ESPINOZA
n December of 1966, Porterville received

rainfall at a recorded amount of .73 of an
inch. During this same storm, at the fork
of the Tule River just below Camp Nelson,
2.04 inches of rainfall washed so much debris
down the river that power house operators
were forced to work through the night. The
flow coming from the Tule pushed water into
the reservoir behind Success Dam at 1,452 feet
per second. The rainfall was relentless, and
engineers were forced to begin releasing water
through the dam at 250 feet per second.
The rain had fallen so heavy that the dam’s
spillway was nearly filled to capacity, and at
3:29 p.m. on Dec, 6, 1966, the unimaginable
happened, water began to trickle over the spill-
way.
Water flowing down the Tule River had
already wreaked havoc on the town of Spring-
ville. Residents had vacated their homes,
causing them to lose access to fresh water. The
water had flowed through Springville so force-
FLOOD Continued Page 5
ABOVE: This photo, taken northwest of Woodville on

December 8, 1966, shows how far the flood waters ex-
tended into the valley.
LEFT: Residents in the 800-900 blocks of North Division,

North Second, North Williford, North Lime and North Sec-
ond from East Henderson to East Mulberry had problems
with rising water in their yards and driveways.
THURSDAY, Feb. 28, 2019
A Place Called THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER PAGE 5A
Flood: The Red Cross stepped in to help aid victims

From Page 4 reservation to begin $50 by selling eight
construction on a of the nine puppies.
fully, that 12 homes makeshift road. These eight puppies
were washed away, 35 On a less devastat- were sold within two
homes suffered from ing scale, Porterville days.
severe damage, and and the surround- By Dec. 9, The Red
over 75 people were ing areas were hit Cross had stepped in
left homeless. Bridges with floodwaters that to help aid victims of
were completely expanded to nearly the flood. The Red
submerged underwa- 25 square miles of Cross requested that
ter, making travel on farmlands. It was re- residents in Porter-
Highway 190 impos- ported that water had ville, Strathmore, and
sible. The Bear Creek flooded land north of the surrounding areas
Bridge leading to the Woodville to Avenue make room in their
SCICON School was 192, from Road 192 homes so that dis-
destroyed. west to Road 128, and placed flood victims
The Tule Indian had invaded nearly 20 had a warm place to
Reservation was high- homes. sleep. They also pro-
ly affected by the hard Local student, vided food, clothing,
impacts of the flood. Michael Campos, and other necessities
It was reported that of Westfield School for those who were RECORDER FILE PHOTO
roads were washed offered to help aid still left to survive. A Springville residence about to be washed away by flood waters.
out, all of the bridges the families in need It was estimated that
were destroyed, and by selling nine pup- damage from flood
telephone and power pies, and donating the waters to public and lion. held back a majority “Without success
lines were swept money he received to private property in Through all the of the flood waters. Dam, there would be
away. Bulldozers relief efforts. Campos Tulare County was heavy flooding, it was As a Porterville offi- no Porterville today.”
were flown into the was able to donate estimated at $18 mil- said that Success Dam cial put it at the time,
RECORDER FILE PHOTO

A section of Highway 190 washed out by the swollen Tule River during the flood of December 1966.
Happy Hearts
●
Children’s Center ●
● ●
111 North Villa St.• 788-0483

The city of
of Porterville
Porterville would
would like to
Mayors
Mayors thankthank
all ofall
youoffor
youyour
for legacy of service
your service
RONALD L. IRISH PETE V. McCRACKEN CAMERON J. HAMILTON PEDRO R. MARTINEZ

MARTHA A. FLORES MILT STOWE CAMERON J. HAMILTON VIRGINIA GURROLA 07/06/10 - 07/03/12 07-07-09 - 07/06/10 06/27/06 - 07/07/09 01/03/06 - 06/27/06
12/10/18
12/10/18 - Current 7/1/14 - 12/10/18 09/17/13 - 7/1/14 07/03/12 - 09/17/13
VIRGINIA R. GURROLA JUDITH A. GIBBONS VIRGINIA R GURROLA JAY C. COLEMAN

KELLY WEST PEDRO R. MARTINEZ RICHARD M. STADTHERR GORDON T. WOODS 03/08/99 to 03/12/01 09/02/97 - 03/08/99 09/17/96 - 09/02/97 03/19/96 - 09/06/96
05/17/05 - 01/03/06 03/02/04 - 05/17/05 03/10/03 to 03/02/04 03/12/01 - 03/10/03
THEODORE G. ENSSLIN JOHN T. RANKIN. JR. NERO PRUITT STEVEN E. TREE

WILLIAM E. CLARK JUDITH A. GIBBONS DARYL C. NICHOLSON BOYD K. LEAVITT 03/13/89 - 03/11/91 03/09/87 - 03/13/89 03/09/85 - 03/09/87 03/08/83 - 03/09/85
03/13/95 - 03/19/96 03/15/94 - 03/13/95 03/08/93 - 03/15/94 03/11/91 - 03/08/93
MARY DOUGHERTY THEODORE G. ENSSLIN EARL E. SMITH. JR. JOSEPH FAURE. JR LAWRENCE D. COTTA RICHARD SPENCER D.W. “MARTY” MARTIN AUBREY M. LUMLEY
03/09/81 - 03/08/83 04/11/77 - 03/09/81 04/07/75 - 04/11/77 04/09/73 - 04/07/75 04/12/71 - 04/09/73 04/08/69 - 04/12/71 04/10/67 - 04/08/69 04/12/65 - 04/10/67
WILLIAM R. RODGERS JACK LETSINGER WILLIAM R. RODGERS LESTER J. HAMILTON EARL L. REED KENNETH R. THRELKELD CHARLES J. CUMMINGS GEORGE WIDMAN
04/08/63 - 04/12/65 04/10/61 - 04/08/63 04/13/59 - 04/10/61 04/13/53 - 04/13/59 04/11/49 - 04/13/53 04/07/47 - 04/11/49 04/12/37 - 04/07/47 04/08/35 - 01/12/37
HARVEY A. FRAME KLINE BUCKLEY MARK E. DEWITT A. F. KESSING. PRESIDENT A. M. TOBIAS. PRESIDENT W. S. SIBLEY. PRESIDENT ANTON KONDA. PRESIDENT H. E. MCQUOWEN, PRESIDENT
04/10/33 - 04/08/35 04/13/31 - 04/10/33 04/11/27 - 04/13/31 04/14/24 - 04/11/27 04/10/22 - 04/14/24 04/08/18 - 04/10/22 04/10/16 - 04/08/18 04/14/14 - 04/10/16
04/14/14 04/10-16
J. E. TETRAULT. PRESIDENT D. A. VAUGHN, PRESIDENT THOMAS L. PRICE PRESIDENT V. D. KNUPP. PRESIDENT WILKO MENTZ. PRESIDENT
04/08/12 - 04/14/14 04/11/10 - 04/08/12 04/09/06 - 04/11/10 04/11/04 - 04/09/06 05/03/02 - 04/11/04
A Place Called
The Battle for the Zalud Estate

T
By ALEXIS ESPINOZA
Church’s attorney, Church rested their
he Zalud House, joined forces to fight case, it was the de-
a staple monu- against Witt in a fendant’s turn to be
ment in Porter- lengthy court battle. heard.
ville, has been used As the hearing in Defending Joe Witt
as a museum to honor front of the judge was attorney Merle
the Zalud family after progressed, Judi Jenkins, who stated
the passing of the late Gibbons, owner of that the reason the
Pearle P. Zalud. The Porterville Typewrit- will listed Witt as a
house did not just fall ers was called to the sole beneficiary is be-
into the lap of the city stand to testify. Gib- cause Zalud felt that
after her passing how- bons stated that Witt Witt had a “resem-
ever. A long fought entered into her shop blance to her father
battle in the courts of and asked her to type and the fact that each
LA ultimately gave a will that had been had three children
the City of Porterville written on a sheet of and both were thrifty
rightful ownership of notebook paper. Gib- persons.”
the house. bons testified that she The defense called
In March of 1971, was told to type only witness Thelma
honorable Judge F. what was written on Schaper to the stand,
Ray Bennett heard the paper, therefore who testified that
the case of the Catho- she left the date off of she did type the Witt
lic Church and the the final copy. will in the presence
City of Porterville Three handwriting of Zalud, who “stood
versus Joe Witt. experts were called over her” and dic-
Speculation circu- to the stand to sup- tated “word for word
lated on the final will port the fact that the and letter for letter.”
and testament Miss signature on the Witt Schaper claimed that
Zalud had signed, and will was not one that Zalud was tediously RECORDER PHOTO
the courts had begun belonged to Zalud. peering over her Marcus Witt Jr., and his brother Joe, leave the police car at the police station
to question whether One handwriting shoulder because she following their surrender in Bakersfield after the district attorney issued a felo-
ny arrest warrant on forgery charges.
the will was valid expert was quoted had written Zalud a
or not. The estate in as saying whoever will before that was
question was worth signed the will was a riddled with mistakes. The trial proceeded Marcus Witt III who cated between Foun-
more than $1 million “better penman than Once the will was for weeks and after signed the Witt will tain Springs and Hot
dollars at the time, Miss Zalud.” to Zalud’s liking, both parties rested as witnesses) were Springs, 480 acres of
and Joe Witt was list- The City and Schaper claimed that their cases, the jury arrested and charged land in Fresno, and
ed on the will as the Church presented the her sister Ruby Nord deliberated for four with forgery of a will, several property lots
sole beneficiary to the court with the a will signed as a witness. hours before reaching offering a false or in Huron.
property, beside two previously signed by Another witness, their final verdict. forged document for The City of Por-
of Zalud’s cousins Miss Zalud, which Mrs. Eula Fitzgerald, The jury unani- filing in a public of- terville received
who were to receive listed both entities as claimed that she had mously ruled in favor fice, preparing false 15 acres of land on
$3,000 each. major beneficiaries, seen Witt multiple of the City and the evidence, and offer- Grand Avenue for use
Jack Quirk, the at- and asked that the times at the Zalud Church, and the Witt ing false evidence in as a rose garden and
torney for the City, court uphold that will house, and had even will was not upheld. trial. childrens park, three
along with James and disregard the Witt witnessed Zalud in Joe Witt (as well as The Church re- property lots, and the
Thaxter, the Catholic will. Witt’s car on a few his brother Marcus ceived the 2,958 acre Zalud family home
After the City and occasions. Witt Jr. and his son John Zalud Ranch lo- on Hockett Street.
Representing Porterville
in our nation’s capital has been a
great honor, and I look forward
to improving our quality of life.”
Paid for by Kevin McCarthy for Congress www.McCarthyforCongress.com

A Place Called THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER PAGE 9A
Porterville’s SP depot made multiple journeys

Freeman, who was parlor out of it. The
the owner of the build- man said anything is
ing at the time, hired for sale if you have
Galbraith Heavy Mov- the money. So I gave
ing out of Pixley to him directions to
transport the depot to Poor Richard’s Pizza
its next location. Har- Parlor. He came back
old Galbraith headed with Mr.Freeman.
the assignment, and Mr.Freeman asked if
the following is his I could move it to Old
account of the move: River Road. That’s
“In the year of 1978 about 25 miles south
I was hired to move of Bakersfield. I said
the old railroad depot yes. So that is the
for Richard Freeman story. It’s about five
from D Street, south miles south of I-5, off
of Olive Avenue, be- the road, half a quarter
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS hind Bonanza Motor. mile on the east side
The Southern Pacific Railroad freight depot was built in 1888 and was strictly freight for a couple of years. I moved it to Mor- of the road. A lady
In 1913 the Passenger Depot was built for passengers and Railway Express. In early 1950 the passenger de-
ton Avenue, across bought it in 1983. It is
pot and Railway Express was closed and in 1962 Al Hilton and the Noon Lions Club made it into a
museum as it is today in 2019.
the street from Paul all put back together
Bunyan. We had it on and looks good. It
left abandoned. Dick dismantled for reloca- of the building were the foundation, ready was about 100 plus
I
THE RECORDER
Freeman purchased tion to Porter Road moved, the historic to set down. A man off miles for me on the
n the late 1970’s, the building to convert and Morton Avenue. building was once the highway stopped route I had to travel.
the Southern Pa- it into a restaurant. The building’s roof again abandoned, and by and asked if it was - Harold Galbraith
cific Freight depot The depot sat at was taken off for plans were made to for sale. I said I doubt (P.S. It wasn’t an easy
was vacated, and the West Olive Avenue easier moving. move it to a different it, Mr.Freeman is go- move.)”
depot building was and D Street, and was After the two parts county. ing to make a pizza
RECORDER FILE PHOTO

This 1979 Recorder photo shows the Southern Pacific Depot in two pieces
staged at Morton and Porter in anticipation of becoming a pizza palor. It was CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
later purchased again and moved to Kern County. Porterville’s Southern Pacific depot serves as a residence today in Kern County.
Chiropractic Adjustments, Decompression and

Massage Therapy, Pediatric Adjustments
Dr. Massey Missakian

559-781-3033
Dr. Raheel Mann Accepting new patients
83 N Main St, Porterville, CA 93257 Most insurances accepted
"Across the street from Bank of the Sierra"
A Place Called
Greatest Theater Reunion & Jimmy Howell’s 89th Birthday
W
By JAMIE A. HUNT
Howell started
hen the managing the Porter
Crystal, theater in June of 1949
Molino, when it opened.
Monache, and Porter The Porter Theater
Theaters were oper- had an elegant golden
ating in Porterville, curtain, beautiful
James Howell and his carpets in the lobby,
father employed many and large curved glass
young adults and art deco concession
fostered a strong work stands. The Howell
ethic and responsibil- family ran indepen-
ity that would help dent theaters and at
sustain them through- the Porter Theater they
out their lives. often ran classic films
Almost 100 people during the week, as
gathered on Saturday, well as contemporary
Oct. 23, 2010 at the films on the weekends.
former Porterville “Jimmie” Howell,
Women’s Clubhouse, his father and uncle
to celebrate a theater operated their the-
employee reunion and aters continuously in
89th birthday tribute Porterville for seven CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS
to James Howell. The decades. Forging a The Moore Opera House was the southeast corner of Main Street and Garden Avenue. Now it is the site
celebration opened strong legacy of com- of the Bank of the Sierra. Originally this was Porter Putnam’s warehouse. When the railroad came in 1888
with vaudeville mu- munity service and Porter Putnam sold the building to Moore and Rossi who made into a Opera House. It was also used by the
local talent. Eschol “Bill” Hammond got his start in photography in the Moore Opera House. In 1914 the
sic accompanied by entertainment through house was burned down.
interior theater footage the difficult years of
of people enjoying the depression, WWII,
themselves at one of the Korean, Vietnam, integral in Porterville watched how the the “latest and finest go over and have a
the old theaters. and later wars, when life. They maintained projectionist had to theater equipment.” nip together. And I
Besides reminiscing so many men from steady employment time the projectors to Elyse Marchant, said, ‘Really, we can
and sharing experienc- Porterville went to while hosting numer- switch reels to avoid James Howell’s grand- leave the theater? And
es about their beloved serve their country. ous community events any skip in the film. daughter, sang famous he said, ‘It’s just for
theaters, former em- Porterville City coun- for churches, schools, “It took true talent, songs from musicals, a couple of minutes.
ployees and managers cil declared Oct. 23, as and organizations. and that was fascinat- including ‘That’s En- It will be fine.’ Thank
honored Mr. Howell. “James Howell, The- For example, Frank ing to watch,” said tertainment’, Rodgers you for all the wonder-
“One magical matinee ater Manager Extraor- Buck Shaffer’s first Perez. and Hammerstein’s, ‘I ful years,” Moreno
performance” is how dinaire Day.” Porterville Panther Joe Moreno and his Could Have Danced said, “You’re a man
Denise Marchant, The four iconic Band performed a con- brother used to clean All Night,’ from My after my own heart.”
Howell’s daughter, theaters were an cert at the Monache up at the Molino and Fair Lady, ‘Singing in Elyse and her grandfa-
described the reunion integral part of grow- Theater in the early Monache Theaters the Rain’ from Singing ther sang, “Thanks for
program. ing up in Porterville 1950s. before school. Moreno In Rain, and ‘Some- the Memories.”
“These were mov- for most families and Bob Perez worked was Assistant Man- where Over the Rain- As a final surprise,
ies,” Howell said, young people from at the Molino and ager at the Porter and bow,’ from the Wizard the family and or-
“when I ran the show.” 1916 until 1985. The Porter Theaters from Molino Theaters for of Oz. ganizers had an old
Howell family was 1964–1967. He often ten years, and says, Howell, who has a mono recording of
“The Porter Theater wonderful voice, sang James Howell accom-
was the hub of social a marvelous duet with panied by the organ
life in Porterville for Elyse, ‘Embraceable singing “Alexander’s
many years.” You,’ from a 1928 Ragtime Band.”
When the Porter film. “I’m really pleased
Theater opened in “We thank Jimmie I was able to be here
1949, it was one of the and his family, and today, to witness this
world’s most modern we talk about Jimmie fantastic celebration,”
structures said an ar- being a good boss. But said Elyse, who sings
ticle in the Porterville he is the first boss who in the Los Angeles
Recorder, and it had ever said to me ‘Let’s REUNION Continued Page 11
Gaurang S. Pandya, MD is proud

to announce an addition to his
30 year practice:
Tejal Pandya, MD has joined our
Porterville location to serve the
families of our community.
We provide a variety of services to patients of all ages.

Our dedicated physicians are always adding new and
modern treatments.
If you don't see something you need listed here, call us!
Let us know how we can help you.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARD
The curtain in the Porter Theater was sight to behold when it was raised for the
freedommedgroup.com evening movie. With all of its drapes and curves, people came early to make sure
they got to see the curtain go up. This picture was taken in 1949 by Jeff Edwards
Acid Reflux & GERD

Varicose Veins
Breast disease & Breast Cancer
Hernias
Thyroid nodules & disorders
Upper endoscopy (EGD)
Colon Cancer & Screening
Colonoscopy
Anorectal disorders:
fistula, infection, fissure,
incontinence
Gallstones & Gallbladder disease
Gaurang S. Pandya, MD The Porter Theater opened in 1950. Everett and his son Jimmy Howell ran the
Porter Theater and they had usherettes. They would use their flashlights and
555 W. Putnam Ave., Porterville, CA 93257 take you to your seat. In the picture from left is Colleen Yost, Alma Meek, Vel-
559-782-8533 ma Mae Pitcock, Joyse Haire, Jimmy Howell, Myra Holland, Jane Clark, Bly Kirby
and Louis Fittro.
STARTS ON DECEMBER 1ST
THURSDAY, Feb. 28, 2019 THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER PAGE 11A
DROUGHT
RESPONSE Phase IV
Mandatory Odd/Even Watering Schedule, based on address.
Residents will be allowed ONE day a week to water lawns
and landscapes. No watering allowed on Monday through
Fridays.
Watering is prohibited between the hours of 5:00 AM to

10:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
No watering outdoor landscapes during and within 48

hours after measurable rainfall.(>0.01 inches)
Excessive water runoff is prohibited.
The washing of sidewalks and driveways is prohibited.
Vehicles shall only be washed on designated watering days

and with a hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle.
The operation of ornamental water features is prohibited

unless the fountain uses a recycling system.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS Non-compliance with Phase IV water conservation regulations
In 1916 Everett Howell and Clem Howell are seen in front of the ticket booth of could result in citations with fines up to $500.
DROUGHT RESPONSE
the Monache Theater. They had a third partner and that was Arthur R. Moore
who had owned the Moore Opera House that burned on July 4, 1914. The Mo-
nache Theater was the main theater in town and lasted until the end of the
1950’s when the Porter Theater took over the major business. Porterville has
PHASE IV
had a lot of theaters such as the Wigwam, Majestic, American, Crystal, Porter,
Monache and now the Galaxy on Henderson.
Reunion: That was the entertainment

The City of Porterville has adopted Phase IV of its Drought
From Page 10 We started working poster of the Walt Dis- Response Plan. As part of the Phase IV plan, the City has
for the theater in High ney movie “So Dear
by watching musi- restricted watering days to one day per week, based on
School, it helped us To My Heart,” made
cals, and has sung her mature early and fos- in Porterville.
address.
whole life. Her accom- tered responsibility.” “I’m just tremen-
panist on keyboards, Mandatory Odd/ Even Watering Schedule
“It was a real job, dously proud of my
Chris Willis, said, “I and you saw all your father. I feel like I got
feel really honored to friends at the theater,” to share him with lots
be here and share all said Ardina Combs, of other appreciative
of these memories.” “because that was the kids in Porterville,”
Rocky Boosalis, of entertainment.” Dianne Howell said,
the reunion committee, Amongst the theater Odd Address Even Address Outdoor Watering is prohibited
“He’s the consum-
said, “It was common photographs, memo- mate showman, but
sometimes for genera- rabilia and larger- ODD NUMBER ADDRESSES
more important, a true
tions of one family to than-life size stand-up gentleman. The great- If your address ends with
work for the theater. It movie star figures, est generation.”
helped start our career. there was an old movie an “odd” number, 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9,
your watering day is Saturday only.
OR
EVEN NUMBER ADDRESSES
If your address ends with
an “even” number, 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8,
your watering day is Sunday only.
Violation Citation
Level Amount
First Warning
Violation Only
The first airplane to fly into Porterville was in 1913 and the pilot was Roy Fran- Second $100
cis and you can see his name on the tail of the plane. Roy flew from Tulare.
While here an argument erupted as to which was the fastest, the airplane or an Violation Fine
automobile. A race was organized at the Cornell Race track that is now the Por-
terville High School. The start was timed so both the car and plane had an equal
start. Roy Francis was the winner. Third $200
Violation Fine
Fourth $500
Violation Fine
Mandatory Excessive
Odd/Even
Watering
water runoff
Schedule prohibited
Vehicles shall
The washing of only be washed
sidewalks and on designated
driveways watering days and
is prohibited with hoses equipped
with a shut-off nozzle
Ornamental water features are prohibited

unless the fountain uses
a recycling system
WATERING
PROHIBITED NO WATERING
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS BETWEEN THE MONDAY
President Richard Nixon was a frequent visitor to Porterville since his aunt lived
in Strathmore. This was a campaign visit in 1952 and Frank Brown has the mi- HOURS OF THROUGH
crophone in Nixon’s face for his listeners.
In 1923 and 1924 Nixon was sent to Strathmore to live with his aunt and learn
5:00 – 10:00 AM FRIDAY.
to play the piano. He attended school at Sunnyside School, west of Strathmore. 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Burton was established in 1869 and began with 11
students in its ﬁrst recorded class. Pictured left is the
original school house and the bell from it that now sits  
in front of Burton Elementary. The original  
location is marked by a plaque on Olive  
Ave and Dameron St.
In 1893, Burton was moved to the current location of Burton

Elementary School. A new school house was built in the early
1900’s and served many students until 1953 when the current
Burton Elementary building was built (pictured below). The  
new school housed 150 students and 7 teachers.
BU RT O N
SCHOOL DISTRICT
Serving and Investing in Burton
Families for over 150 years
Burton grew from one school in the early 1980’s to

multiple school sites by the 2000’s. William R. Buckley
Elementary was named after former Superintendent
William R. Buckley (pictured far left) in 1998. Jim Maples  
Academy was named after prominent community member  
and businessman, Jim Maples (pictured left) in 2002.
Burton currently consists of nine school sites (pictured above) and

serves nearly 5,000 students. Burton continues to grow with our
students and prepare for future growth. The 10th school site will be
coming soon at the former Drive-In property (pictured left) and will be
another premiere educational facility to serve our Burton families.
A Place Called
20-Ands: a Porterville original service club
E
By Nancy N. Lewis girl must have passed club suggested social
her 20th birthday. activities including
arly in the fall of
The first gathering of dances, snow parties,
1941, just before
the club was on Sep. 4, badminton and bowl-
the outbreak of
1941, where a group of ing teams, ice skating in
World War II, a need for
30 young women met at Bakersfield, and similar
a service club for young
the home of Mrs. Frank affairs, but as World War
women of the communi-
C. Sheldon. II approached, the club
ty was seen, and alas the
Patricia Giesler (Cra- engaged more in defense
20-Ands Club was born.
mer) was elected as the and community projects.
Credit for founding
club’s first president, and The club never had
the 20-Ands is given to
Emma Faure (Nuckols) a house of its own. In-
three young women who
was elected as secretary. stead, they met at each
made up lists of prospec-
Approval was given to other’s homes and at res-
tive members, arranged
the suggestions that the taurants.
the organization ses-
membership be limited The 20-Ands was a
sions, and composed the
to 75 young women, and local club without any
constitution and bylaws.
club dues were $4 a year. state or national affilia- CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
These ladies were Helen Members fron the 20 And’s sit on their Armistice Day float. The Armistice Day
By 2017, the dues were tions with any other club
St. Laurent (Ebbert), parade was a yearly event that the 20 And’s enjoyed to participate in, and they
$25 a year. The Shasta or organization. The club
Emma Nuckols (Faure), created complex and elaborate floats for spectators to view.
Daisy was chosen as the was supported by dues
and Patricia Giesler they won a contest for funds for anything they of Consequences game
club’s flower, green and and fundraisers. All reve-
(Cramer). selling the most war considered to be of good show, and trips to the
white were the chosen nue from any fund raiser
The name “20-Ands” bonds. cause. They raised their horse races in Santa
colors, and the club had or activity was donated
was suggested because Besides contributing funds by catering din- Anita Park in Arcadia.
its own newsletter, called to causes. No profit was
the requirement for to the war effort, the ners, making and selling The 20-Ands received
“The Tattletale.” made by the club.
membership was that a club continued to be of enchiladas and hosting the Service Club of the
The object of the The war years were
very active for the ladies service to Porterville and elegant fashion shows Year award in 1968, the
club. The young women the surrounding commu- and luncheons where the Club of the Year award
took on rifle practice, nities. This included rais- ladies prepared all of the in both 1963 and 1998,
first aid classes, swim- ing money for a refriger- food. Incidentally, the la- and were presented with
ming lessons, and help- ated truck for “Meals on dies were terrific cooks. a proclamation of 70
ing the U.S.O. Drive. Wheels.” They started The 20-Ands club years of service in 2011.
They also acted as host- this campaign out by played a big part in the The final board meet-
esses at the Paso Robles donating $2,000, and Porterville Centennial in ing was held on Oct.
U.S.O. Club each month. contacted several other 1961 with their Century 12, 2017 at the home
The club helped dur- organizations to donate in Fashions. A time cap- of Ann Esmay, and the
ing the Tin Can Drive funds for the project. In sule was buried beneath final meeting was held
by bringing in crushed three and a half months the flagpole in front of on Oct. 26, 2017 at the
cans. The 20-Ands were $9,000 was raised and City Hall, and is to be Barn Theater. The club
in charge of the Victory the refrigerated truck opened in 2061. was reluctant to have
Book Campaign and the was purchased. The club was busy, these meetings come to
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO War bond Booths at the Through the years, but always had fun in an end.
With the funds generated from the sale of enchila- Monache and Molino the 20-Ands were un- whatever they were do- Plans have been made
das, the women would present two to six scholar-
Theaters. This was their stoppable. If there was ing. Some of the club’s for the ladies to reunite
ships a year to local graduating seniors. Members of
contribution to the Third a need, the club was social activities included every September.
the 20 And’s would make and sell up to 3,000 enchi-
ladas in a day. War Loan Drive, and there. The ladies raised attending at the Truth
Lawryn Monterroso, D.D.S.

Comprehensive Family Dental.
Serving the Porterville Area for 30 years.
C E P TING
AC EW
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PATIE
174 N. Villa Street, Porterville, CA 93257

(559) 784-6523
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A Brief History of
St. Anne’s Parish, Porterville
The roots of Saint Anne’s Parish go back to the late 1860’s. Father Daniel Francis X. Dade was the pioneer priest
who began serving the people of this part of Tulare County. Father Dade served as the first pastor of St. Mary’s in
Visalia, which was formally established in 1865. Long before there were any church buildings, Father Dade cared for
his parishioners as a “circuit riding” priest. He made regular visits to say Mass at family homes, in brush covered
shelters and whatever convenience could be secured for the celebration of the sacraments. The parish sprawled over
34,200 square miles with a population of around 1,000 souls.
In 1892 the first Saint Anne’s Church was constructed as a mission of Saint Mary’s in Visalia. It was erected at the
corner of Thurman and Second Streets. In 1896 Saint Anne’s Parish was established as a parish. In 1896 Fr. William
Dempflin was working among the members of the local Yokut tribe at the Tule River Reservation. He was a priest of
the Dominican Order based in San Francisco. In 1925 Saint Anne’s Church and School moved to its present location
on ‘F’ Street. The old downtown brick church was demolished when the new Saint Anne’s went into service. Saint
Anne’s School opened with an enrollment of 29 students on September 14, 1926 administered by the Sisters of Saint
Mary of Namur, based in Fort Worth, Texas. The Sisters of the Love of God, based in Madrid, Spain, began their time
at Saint Anne’s School in the late 1970’s, and continue to be present in the parish to this day.
On October 2, 1933 Mater Dolorosa Mission Church at the Tule River Reservation was dedicated. On December 2,
1939 Father James Dillon was assigned as pastor. On October 5, 1952 the new (and third) Saint Anne’s Church was
dedicated. In 1955 the building was purchased that would serve as Guadalupe Mission until 2005, and currently
serves as the Saint Anne’s Food Bank. In 1964 14 acres of land, located at the northwest corner of North Grand
Avenue and Newcomb Avenue was purchased. In 1971 the faithful of Saint Anne’s observed the 75th anniversary of
the establishment of the community as a parish.
In 1993 Bishop Steinbock named Fr. Scott Daugherty as the twenty-first pastor of Saint Anne’s Parish. To serve
the faithful an existing church building was purchased in Terra Bella in 1993 and was dedicated to Blessed Miguel
Agustin Pro, Martyr of Mexico. In 2012 an existing church building was purchased in Springville to serve the foothill
and mountain areas of the parish. This mission church was dedicated to the memory of Saint Maximillian Kolbe,
Polish martyr of Auschwitz.
Established as a parish in 1896, Saint Anne’s celebrated its centennial in 1996 with events throughout the year. In the
spring of 1996 a Saint Anne’s School reunion was held at Bartlett Park and attended by over 800 souls. In October
2004 ground was broken for the construction of Holy Cross Church, which was completed and dedicated in 2006.
Currently funds are being raised for the construction of a parish hall / family life center, on the grounds of Holy Cross
Church.
Monsignor Daugherty has now served over twenty-five years as pastor of Saint Anne’s Parish. When asked about
his best recollection of these many years as pastor he said: “It is the people of God. The people of this parish who
love Jesus and serve him in the spirit of the Blessed Mother and her prayer, “I am the servant of the Lord, let God’s
will be done in my life.”
Thanks be to God and Amen

A Place Called
The Hell’s Angels incident of 1963
CONTRIBUTED PHOTOs BY JEFF EDWARDS

A police officer talks to two Hell’s Angels members when the motorcycle gang descended upon Porterville in 1963.
By JEFF EDWARDS rode into town, their taking place at the been permitted to fill two streets, but were cleared, the motorcy-
I
leader crossed Olive corner of Main Street their tanks at a gas refusing to leave. cle group collective-
Avenue to head north and Olive Avenue. station on the south- Once the smoke ly rode out of town
n the year of
on Main Street, but The Hell’s Angel had west corner of the of the situation had and toward Tipton.
1963, California
was greeted by a
Highway Patrol
fireman who blasted
were following the
him with the firehose
Hell’s Angels as they
causing him and his
left Los Angeles and
bike to end up on
headed into the San
the west side of the
Joaquin Valley. A
street in front of the
short time before the
Eagle Cafe.
Hell’s Angels made
Upon being con-
their way towards
fronted, the Hell’s
Porterville, they had
Angels decided to
invaded Hollister
retreat. Some of the
and took over the
riders went to Cof-
town.
fee Camp above
When the motor-
Springville, but most
cycle group turned
of them settled at the
off of Highway 99
Pan American Ball-
and on to Highway
room just south of
65, they had an
Porterville.
idea that their des-
All of the firemen
tination would be
and police on patrol
Porterville. Mayor
were involved with
Jack Letsinger and
the Hell’s Angels ar-
Council member Bill
rival, so KTIP radio
Rodgers decided that
station manager,
the group would not
Frank Brown, took
tear up the city like
to the airways to an-
they had in Hollister.
nounce to the public
The fire department
that they would have
was called to action,
to be ready to defend
and used some type
themselves. The
of substance on Main
town was armed and
Street and Olive
ready to do battle.
Avenue to make the
roads slick. When Around midnight,
the Hell’s Angels word was received A flash from a camera causes three Hell’s Angels members to turn around. The person taking the photo
was Mr. Jeff Edwards, who the bikers knew.
that a stand-off was
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A Place Called
THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER PAGE 17A
Photo CONTRIBUTED By JUan J. Sanchez

BELOW: In the spring of 1971, Porterville
and Springville were the sites chosen for
filming the western movie J.W. Coop, star-
ring Cliff Robertson. Some of the filming
took place in a taco shop along Olive Av-
enue, near Porterville High School, which
no longer exists today. Many of the local
students and others were used as extras in
the filming of certain scenes.
RECORDER PHOTO:
ABOVE: The announcement of the opening of the
Rocky Hill Ghost Town behind the Porterville Speed-
way in August of 1981 brought much excitement for
the community. Admission was set at $2 per adult,
$1 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children
under six. Ron Schuler and three of his friends made
up the Sequoia Gun Fighters western stunt show.
The four men also built the Rocky Hill Ghost Town
set, made up of six buildings about four feet wide.
There was scarce paint, and windowless window
frames. The town took more than 40 days to con-
struct, and featured a saloon, jail, sheriff’s office
and bank. On its first weekend, the stunt show was
supplemented by performances from the Mountain
View Cloggers dance group and a country-western
band. Once the shows began, the men would fire
blanks at each other, fall from the saloon’s second
story balcony, and throw punches. The stunt team
emphasized realism, so the set was decked out in
true 1800’s western garb.
The stunt show offered more to the community
than just an old-time shootout. It was reported that
Schuler and his men included a five-hour foothill
hike tour. Participants who took part in the hike
saw sights including Indian sites, outlaw Jim McKin-
ney’s hideout cave, and a safe hauled out of Porter-
ville and blown up with dynamite.
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A Place Called
Lindsay Theater story: Saved by the community

item gathered were a
T
RECORDER STAFF
horse, an antique mo-

owards the torcycle and automo-
middle of bile, an oil painting, a
1982, the need color television, and a
seen for performing sewing machine. The
arts was declining. group also decided
The marquee over the that they would raise
Lindsay theater even money by selling seats
read “Lindsay – Ghost in the theater for $400.
Town U.S.A.” Anyone who pur-
For a few people chased a seat had their
including Robert name engraved on it
Mohr, Peggy Sanders, permanently.
Tom Shimasaki, and The auction brought
Bob Tienken, this was in $5,120. Every item
unacceptable. collected for the auc-
They rallied together tion sold. The auc-
with help from Lind- tion kicked off efforts
say locals to save the to raise the money
theater and promote needed, and dona-
performing arts in tions began to pour
their community, in. Sanders reported
with a goal to raise receiving multiple
$200,000 to save the $1,000 gifts. This was
theater by purchas- a positive sign in the
ing and renovating group’s attempts to
it. They planned to raise the funds to save
improve the theater’s the theater, and soon
lighting, expand the new ideas for fund-
stage, and add dress- raisers were tossed
ing rooms. Together, around.
the group compiled a A plan to host a
list of reasons to keep “Gala Night at the
the theater around, Theater” was pitched,
including high school and invitations were contributed PHOTO
band performances, sent to over 1,000 resi- The facade of the Lindsay Theater, date unknown.
concerts, and film dents. Once the night
festivals. of the gala dawned, in an additional $8,440 set a goal of raising people to raise the re- money.
The idea of an auc- guests were welcomed for the group, bringing $100,000 within two mainder of the money. After over six
tion came about, and with balloons, a slide the total at this point to weeks. The group be- In February of 1983, months of hard work,
soon the group was in show, music, and a over $13,000. gan mailing brochures, an anonymous “angel” dedication, and fund-
action planning and buffet table of wines, The “Save the The- hosting phone cam- agreed to purchase raising, the Lindsay
gathering items for the cheese, and olives. The ater” group was more paigns, and making the theater for an Theater was back up
auction. Some of the Gala Night was a huge driven than ever, and personal contact with undisclosed amount of and running.
success, and brought
112 Years
Strong and Growing
with Porterville
T
he Porterville Chamber of Commerce was chartered
in 1907 and has evolved into one of the key leaders in
community development. Its influence will continue to
be felt throughout the community as the Chamber meets
the very ambitious objectives and strict standards it has set
for itself.
The old office building Which
T
was built in 1950
he Porterville Chamber is a non-profit organization of business and professional people
committed to the betterment of their community through economic development and
a strong, healthy business environment. These members of the community volunteer
their labor and talent as an organized group, because they recognize that.. ‘We can do
together, what no one can do alone.’ And, together as the Porterville Chamber, they are
“People Promoting Business for the Benefit of the Community.”
Porterville Chamber of Commerce
93 North Main Street, Suite A
Porterville, CA 93257 1994
559-784-7502
Rendering of new office building

The Porterville Eagles Lodge #1351
Was chartered by the grand Aerie of the United States in March of 1906.
making us the oldest Fraternal lodge in the area. We have a long history in the valley.
We are proud to have a membership of close to 500 at the current time.
T he Eagles Lodge was originally located on

main street between Mill and Oak street,
what was then the Porter Putnam building.
hard working members that have contributed
countless hours to help our lodge grow and
thrive. The first Worthy President of the lodge
Lodge is very proud of our commitment and
appreciation of our veterans, a large majority
of our members are veterans. The lodge is
in 1906 was Aubrey Lumly, Lewis C. Elbert open for anyone to attend that day and for
In 1908 the Eagles moved to their new building was the secretary for many years from the 30’s our veterans everything is taken care of for
located at Main and Cleveland, occupying the to the late 50’s. Bill Goucher was secretary them, the Porterville Eagles Lodge is a huge
top two floors, during the 30’s and 40’s the and master of all trades for the next 30 years supporter of our veterans and the sacrifice and
Eagles Lodge was known as the place to go for and kept the lodge going during the 80’s when service that they have given.
the best dances in town. Downstairs was the the membership was at an all time low and
serious consideration was given to closing Turkey Shoot, the history of our turkey shoot
Bobeldyke Ice cream and soda fountain. Later goes way back, started in the late 60’s a bunch
the bottom building was Cone Automotive for the lodge. However a membership drive was
highly effective and once again the Eagles was of wanna be Annie Oakley’s fire off to win
many years. In the mid fifties the building was prizes and the honor of being best shot. We
thriving and has been going steady ever since.
torn down and the lodge moved the old Myers also have paddle games and card drawings for
Funeral building to the current location of We have a strong tradition over the years of the non-shooters it’s always a great day of fun,
Main and Henderson. family events held by the lodge. food and friends
The Eagles Lodge has always been a big Our Father’s Day picnic, this event started in Golf tournament, Our annual golf tournament
supporter of local causes from our inception the late 70s and was originally held at Bartlett which is held at River Island Country Club
and we continue that tradition to this day. Park then moved to the old Linda Vista Swim is always well attended and we’re proud to
The Eagles Lodge nationally is recognized and Racquet club. It was sponsored by the lodge donate the proceeds each year to a worthy
and free to all members and their families, cause last year we donated to former Mayor
as the founder of Mothers Day as well as a
volleyball games, softball, card games and a Milton Stowe .This coming year we will be
huge supporter of many charities, the main giving all our proceeds to the Barn Theater.
great barbecue were all part of this event.
one being the diabetes foundation. Some of
the notable members throughout the years Mother’s day brunch, every Mother’s Day the The lodge also provides breakfast each year for
include Theodore Roosevelt, FDR, JFK, past presidents of the lodge put on a brunch the Volunteers of the World Ag Expo serving
Ronald Reagan, J Edgar Hoover and Arnold for all the members and families mothers, over 300 people.
Palmer among others. The local lodge has a wives and daughters. Roses for all the mothers
and everyone is treated to a very special meal. The current President Michael Stafforini has
continuous scholarship fund at Porterville
This is one of our great events of the year. said, “We look forward to continuing our service
College. A supporter of the Porterville Fair, to the community. Over the years the Eagles
The Family Crisis Center, The Veterans Day Lodge has not wavered in it’s commitment to
Annual Crab feed, this has become one of our
Parade and all our local schools to name a few our youth and all the worthy causes we have
Best attended events, it sells out every year
of the causes that we are involved with. The and no one goes away hungry supported since our inception 113 years ago.”
lodge could not have survived for over 100 If you are interested in joining please come by
years without the tireless effort of so many Veterans Day Celebration, the Eagles the lodge and check us out.
Advertisement for Dance Circa 1947 Alan Brickel Longest Tenure Member Eagle’s Lodge Building Constructed in 1908
#1 Member Stood on the Corner of Main & Cleveland
Eagle’s members with Fraternal Order of Eagle’s Celebrating Girls at the Lodge
former mayor Milt Stowe 121 Years
Halloween Costume Party 1984 Herb Rossman, Flo Deardon & Betty James Cemo, Michael Staforini & Howard
Rossman at Turkey Shoot Cir. 1985 Rossman, Member’s over
40 Years Veteran’s Day 2018
Jim Sailors & Gary Wallace Cir. 1980 John Lucey, Paul Kerrigan & Kids Mark Royster Pitching Some Shoes
at the Lodge with Santa
Newspaper Article 2006 Past President Russell Thomas with

Bill Noble & Wife Louise Veteran Hud Perow
A Place Called
Porterville Beach: fun on the Tule River long before Success Lake
S
Contributed by BETTER BYERS HAUER
1915 and 1918, Charles vided some income on
omewhere around “Jack” Byers and his weekends — that is,
where the marina wife Ada Lula, whose until the county passed
sits on Success families had come to an ordinance prohibit-
Lake today was a rec- California from Ten- ing dancing on Sunday.
reation hotspot for Por- nessee, developed a Then Porterville Beach
terville area residents in public swimming and rescheduled its dance
the early 20th century. dance area at that spot days to Tuesday, Thurs-
Had you been travel- that would come to be day and Saturday.
ing the old road be- known as Porterville Locals who fre-
tween Porterville and Beach. For 25 cents, quented Porterville
Springville on warm you could swim all day. Beach didn’t care —
summer evenings in A swimming suit rental they loved the music
1926, you might have was another quarter, as much on Tuesday
heard rustic music a changing room cost as they did on Sunday.
bouncing off of a wood- 15 cents, and a dime July 4 was the biggest
en dance floor near a would buy you the use day of the season, just
wide spot in the Tule of a towel. Lula Byers as it is today, and a ‘big’
River where it pooled washed the towels by dance band came from
up. hand in a tub with a Fresno to play at Porter-
Sometime between crank-operated wringer. ville Beach.
Dancing also pro- Arleigh and Dar-
CONTRIBTUED PHOTO
Jack Byers built a diving platform for Porterville Beach. George Kieffer is stand-
ing on top of the tower. There were two levels for diving, and Joe Kieffer said
there was a light fixed under water for night time swimming. The tower was on
the east side of the river.
rell Byers, Jack’s sons, The Byers also ran in an old Dodge flatbed
“herded” dancers at the a food stand, where pickup.
end of each dance by they sold hamburgers, Swimming races,
sweeping them off the hot dogs, cold drinks, tugs-of-war, foot races
wooden dance platform candy, gum, ice cream and other games and
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO with a rope stretched and tobacco. Lula did contests all made for
Swimmers at Porterville Beach. Standing is Gladys Kieffer Wardlaw. She lived across the floor. Tickets the cooking, and Ar- lively summer days at
nearby because her dad, George Kieffer Sr., was the railroad section boss. They were then collected for leigh brought back sup- Porterville Beach.
lived in a house by the railroad track near the Tule River Citrus orange packing the next dance. plies from Porterville BEACH Continued Page 21
house. The girl on the far right is Gladys' sister, Lena Kieffer.
12 S. Main St., 4130 S. Mooney Blvd., 5129 W. Walnut Ave., 200 E. Acequia, Visalia, 1587 Hillman St.,
Porterville, CA, 93257 Visalia, CA, 93277. Visalia, CA, 93277. CA, 93291. Tulare, CA, 93274.
(559) 783-8857 (559) 627-3354 (559) 429-4846 (559) 747-2883 (559) 746-9600
DELI-DELICIOUS.COM
A Place Called
THURSDAY, Feb. 28, 2019 THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER PAGE 21A
More than just swimming at Porterville Beach

Continued from page 20 “Webb Lloyd has will be seen in aquatic Byers’ entire bull frog was free. “That finished remain of a place that
A Recorder article promised to roll off the stunts. Carl Loyd has ensemble. There will be it,” says Bette Hauert. touched the lives of
announcing a Knights fifty foot embankment promised to sing the a fat men’s swimming The Byers sold their many young people.
of Pythias picnic at in a barrel, provided a “Dying Calf’s Request” contest between Edgar property along the Now the beach is si-
Porterville Beach had barrel large enough can and this will be ac- Loyd and M.C. Boat- beach and moved out to lent beneath the waters
this to say about the be secured. Ola Haley companied by Jack man, and there will be Success Valley to spend of a murky Success
upcoming affair: other events never to be the rest of their lives Lake. In the few years
forgotten.” raising oranges. that Porterville Beach
In 1926 the resort Bette Hauert had operated, many skins
closed. The Cotton- inherited a roll of five- were sunburned, a few
woods, a new dance cents-a-dance tickets noses were punched,
hall closer to Porter- and several pinchy and some hearts were
ville had opened, skim- black wool swimsuits, broken. But mates were
ming off many of the each stamped in the found and friendships
old beach’s dancers. On front with the white formed, too. All in all,
top of that, swimming initials “PB.” These it was a jolly place in a
at the new Bartlett Park few artifacts are all that jolly time.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Lula and Jack Byers standing on the wooden dance floor he built for the nickel
dances. For each dance, guests had to buy a nickel ticket. You handed the ticket
to the ticket taker as you walked onto the dance floor. At the end of the dance,
sons Arleigh and Darrell Byers cleared the dance floor by walking across it with
a rope stretched across. Then, for the next dance, you had to buy another ticket.
On special holidays bigger bands from Fresno were booked to play at Porter-
ville Beach. An advertisement for Porterville Beach in the June 2, 1923 edition of the Porter-
ville Recorder.
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Excellence In Caring
A Place
Sierra Valley Rehab Center has been Rich in
serving the city of Porterville for more than
20 years, and we pride ourselves on the
Family and
reputation we have built in our community.
We have been voted Best Elder Care in our
History...
community three years in a row, and we
continue to strive towards excellence.
• 24 Hours Skilled Nursing Care ...the Perfect

• Specialized Alzheimer’s Program Place to
• Long Term Care Specialists Begin
• Hospice Care
Yours
301 West Putnam Ave.,
Porterville, CA 93257 13144 Road 216, Porterville, CA 93257
559-784-7375 C: 559-359-0088 • F: 559-784-2328
www.nuckolsranch.com
Fax: 559-784-4636
A Place Called
PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS

ABOVE: The Monache Theater was the entertainment hub of Porterville since
its opening in 1916. In the early days, they had vaudeville shows come to town
and they had a nice organ for music. Movies had been shown at the old Moore
Opera House but it burned down in 1914, so a real movie house was necessary
to the town.
PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS

The Molino Theater was on the City Parking Lot east of the Post Office and next
to the alley and faced north. During the 1930s, depression Bank Nite was used
to entice people to the shows. Whenever you went to the show your name was
put in a barrel, and once a week a name was drawn for a certain amount of
money. The person drawn had to be present and had five minutes to claim his
money. People would stand outside the theater and listen for whose name was
drawn, and if it wasn't theirs they would quickly buy a ticket and get to the
stage before the five minutes was up. This was also done at the Monache The-
ater and Porter Theater.
CONTRIBUTED Photo by Jeremy Hogan

A youngster waits for a nibble at a 1990 fishing derby at Murry Park.
Pictured above is a postcard of our lodge as it was circa 1940’s.
PORTERVILLE B.P.O.
ELKS #1342
(SINCE 1917)
386 N. MAIN STREET (Main & Morton) Porterville, CA 93257
Our regular membership meetings are on the
second, and fourth Thursdays at 7:00 PM.
Exceptions: (July & August, fourth Thursdays only.)
Serving the Porterville and Surrounding
Our Lodge members are encouraged to attend these sessions.
South Eastern San Joaquin Valley Since 1921.
St .Anne’s Parish Council, # 2329 Porterville, CA. We are now accepting applications for new memberships
While Porterville’s history
is being made...
...we are covering it.
Past, Present, and Future. Delivering more than just a

newspaper. Covering Porterville and Southern Tulare County
better than anyone else.
Bill Parsons Matthew Sarr Craig Dimmitt Josie Chapman Alex Larson
Publisher Editor Business Manager Advertising Director Circulation Director
Terry Feagin Alexis Espinoza Nayirah Dosu Jamie Hunt Chieko Hara
Accounting/Circulation Supervisor City/Crime Reporter Sports Reporter Reporter Photographer
Jamie Sarr Christina Hansen JoAnn Flynn Sonia Fuentes Terry Jasso
Account Specialist Pagination & Graphics Account Specialist Account Specialist Classified Advisor
Your Hometown
Newspaper Since 1908
Joshua Resurreccion Paul Soto
Circulation District Manager Circulation Lead
THE P O R T ER V I L L E
115 E. Oak Ave., Porterville, CA 93257
559-784-5000
Your hometown newspaper since 1906
recorderonline.com
PORTERVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
AGUILAR, RUDIE FARNSWORTH, COY PISANI, CHRISTOPHER
ALEJANDRE, ANTHONY FIGEROA, RAMON RODRIGUEZ, ALEJANDRO
AVINA, DAVID FLORES, RUBEN ROULSTON, RHIANNON
BARRIOS, SABRINA GRAVES, MARK SANCHEZ, MIKAL
BRUNELLE, AARON HERRERA, MANUEL SANDOVAL, MITCHELL
CALO, REGGIMEL HILDRETH, MIKE SAUCEDA, NICHOLAS
CELINDER, JANICE HOSFELDT, CALE SEGOVIA, LARRY
CLARK, JASON JONES, PATRICK SERR, SHAWN
COGBURN, BRYAN KOZAR, DUSTAN SKILES, SHANNON
DIGNAM, CLAYTON LAND, RICHARD SMITH, DAVID
DIVICCARO, ALLEN LAPERE, DAVID SPECK, TALLEN
DODD, JEFFEREY LOWERY, KIRK VASQUEZ, JACOB
EMERSON-GAMBOA, GERALD MATTHEWS, DEREK ZAVALA, LUIS RENE
PORTERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT

AGUILAR, JANITZY FERNANDEZ, ANGELICA LIGHTFOOT, MARK SANDERS, MARIA
AGUILLON, MARIA FOX, KAIAO LOCKE, DARRELL SCHADE, THOMAS
AYALA, JANET FRANCO, MANUEL MACHICHE, RUBEN
SERNA, SERGIO
AZEVEDO, DIANA GALLARDO, JESUS MADUENA, FERNANDA
SERRATO, RAMIRO
AZEVEDO, MARK GARCIA, SAM MANISS, JOSHUA
BARTEAU, DOMINIC GOMEZ, FERNANDO MARTIN, CODY SILVA, TIMOTHY
BENAS, MICHAEL GONZALEZ, AUGUSTIN MARTINEZ, ANDREW SMALLING, RYAN
BORJON, MICAH GOSVENER, CHRISTOPHER MARTINEZ, ERIK SOKOLOFF, BRUCE
BRAY, NATHAN GRAY, MICHAEL MARTINEZ, IVAN ST. CLAIR, TESSA
BREASHEARS, CYNTHIA GUERRERO, PETE MCRAE, KIMBERLY STANDRIDGE, RICHARD
BROWN, TINA GURULE, ROSE MENDOZA, BEN
STARK, JACOB
BURKHART, BENJAMIN HATCH, MARK MILLER, GARY
STEVENS, FREDDIE
CALLOWAY, BRETT HERNANDEZ, ANGEL MOORE, RONALD
CAMARENA, CAMELLIA HODGES, JOYCE MORALES III, MARCIAL TASHIRO, TYSON
CARDOZA, DARIN HOLT, ANTHONY MORENO, AMBER VALDEZ, ERIKA
CARRILLO, RICHARD HORTON, KYLEY NEYENHUYS, JUSTIN VANG, CRYSTAL
CASTELLOW, JACOB HUGHBANKS, MICHELLE NIX, BRIAN VARGAS, DANIEL
COLLINS, GARY JIRON, ERIKA OCHOA, CARLOS VARGAS, OSCAR
CONTRERAS, CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON, AMALIA ORTIZ, ORLANDO
WALKER, STEVEN
CORONA, DIEGO JONES, DARCYLN OWEN, KIMBERLY
DEAN, CODY JORDAN, CARL PEREZ, ARMANDO WARD, STEVEN
DOHNKE, KELLY JUAREZ, JOE RAPP, ROBIN WHITE, ANTHONY
DOMINGUEZ, JOSE KROUTIL, ERIC RIOS, MELINDA WILKINSON, SCOTT
ELLESTAD, JUSTIN LARA, ENRIQUE ROMAN, JOSHUA YOUNG, ERICA
Thank you for your service in the protection of our community!

291 N Main St, Porterville, CA 93257
p: 559.782.7499 f: 559.782.7452
h�p://www.ci.porterville.ca.us/
A Place Called
Porter Putnam designed the Putnam Pioneer Store prior to his death in 1889.
Our Community’s Foundation
A composite view of new and old Main Street.
Porterville Cyclery at
the corner of Main
Street and Cleveland
Avenue, 1910.
John B. Hockett built this Hardware Store so Main Street only went from Olive Avenue to Morton Avenue.
A Place Called
PAGE 2B THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER THURSDAY, Feb. 28, 2019
Celebrating
commerce
E very hometown has businesses that

not only provide goods and services
for residents, but set an example for
younger generations with their work ethic
and their commitment to the community.
The owners and employees of those
businesses are the type that don’t stop
thinking about customers when they close
up shop at the end of the day, and often
they work many hours ‘off the clock’ to
make their hometown a better place and
push the community in a positive direction.
We are fortunate to have several such
businesses in our community, and many
have been helping move Porterville for-
ward through generations of family owner-
ship.
The Business Section of ‘A Place Called
Home’ showcases some of the local mer-
chants for whom Porterville is much more
than just a location to ply their trade — it
is the place they call home as well, and the
presence of their business in the commu-
nity over the years has become a hallmark
of life in our hometown.
Here are some of those stories...

Porterville became a town in 1902 and by 1910 they had a
traffic problem. Automobiles had come in and this sign was
posted on the north end of Main Street and Cypress Avenue.
Cypress Avenue later became Henderson Avenue as it is to-
day.
Security Telecommunications Of Porterville, Inc
SPECIALIZING IN CUSTOM SECURITY INSTALLATIONS
BURGLARY - FIRE - CAMERAS
Thank you Porterville for all your support

over the last 40 years.
We started helping your grandparents and then your parents and are so happy
to now be serving you. We are still here going strong and looking forward to
many more years of serving the Porterville Community!
S.T.O.P. Alarm, Inc. • 65 S. Hockett St, Porterville CA 93257

(559) 781-3310 • (800) 994-3310
Lic#384 and C-10 Electrical lic. #691523
OUR BEGINNINGS
Porterville Funeral Home and Cremation Center’s history began in
105 years ago as the very first funeral home in Porterville. In 1914
Mr. William J. Murray opened his doors for business as W.J. Murray
Undertaker, located at 53 North Main Street. In just two short years,
Mr. Murray outgrew his facilities and a search for a more suitable
location was begun. He carefully chose a large house at the corner
of Mill and Hockett streets across from the Post Office. He remodeled
the house and constructed a modern morgue along with other C E N T E R
improvements. As was common of most undertakers of this era, the
business also served as the family residence. It was inevitable that Mr. Murray made the acquaintance of an eager Post Office employee named
Carl Loyd. Carl, being young and enthusiastic, developed a keen interest in the undertaking business and before long, convinced Mr. Murray to allow
him to study his trade. Carl quickly learned the undertaking business and in March of 1917 persuaded Mr. Murray to let him purchase the business.
OWNERSHIP CHANGES Mr. Carl Loyd was well liked in the community and over the years
proved to be a very good undertaker and businessman. He renamed
the business Loyd Funeral Service and oversaw a major building remodel in 1940. However, Mr.
Loyd, at the age of 39, suddenly died of a heart attack. Without a succession plan, the funeral
home passed through several ownership hands before being purchased in the early 1950’s by a
young couple named Art & Kathleen Durchee. The Durchee family and their staff, faithfully served
the Porterville and surrounding communities for many years and also oversaw a major remodel
of the building in 1955. One staff member in particular, Clarence Peters, an apprentice embalmer
from 1969 to 1973 would serendipitously play an important role in the funeral home’s future.
JOURNEY BACK
TO
LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED
Upon their retirement in 1989, Art and Kathleen sold their funeral business to
the Whitehurst family of Fresno who re-named the funeral home Whitehurst-
Loyd Funeral Service. The Whitehurst family owned seven funeral homes in the
Central Valley and they made an immediate impression upon the community
by freshening landscaping and remodeling the homes. The staff remained all
local residents and every attempt was made to improve the quality of service
to the community wherever possible. Sadly though, the first established funeral
home business in Porterville could no longer state that it was locally owned
and operated. The next decade also brought with it changing tastes of funeral
values as many local families began embracing cremation as an alternative to
traditionally accepted ground burial. Coincidentally, this was also the time when The Loewen Group, a large funeral industry corporation acquired
the Whitehurst family funeral homes. All of the dedicated and well trained staff were retained, but now operating decisions were being made
from the Loewen corporate headquarters in Canada. Whitehurst- Loyd Funeral Service served local families under this structure until July 1, 2007.
On that date, native son Les Peters and wife Kim purchased Whitehurst -Loyd Funeral Service as it returned to its original roots as the ONLY Locally
Owned and Operated Funeral Home in Porterville. Les is the son of Clarence Peters, the apprentice embalmer who in 1973 struck out on his own
to fulfill his dream of owning his own funeral home. Like many offspring of small business owners, Les at the age of 15, promptly began helping
wherever he could and under the tutelage of Clarence, developed into an excellent funeral home operator in his own right.
In June of 2016 a radical transformation occurred. Whitehurst-Peters-

Loyd had faithfully served Porterville for over a 100 years. But their
small location severely restricted the options they could offer the
thriving Porterville community. So, Les and Kim and partners were
able to move their business to a 40,000 sft new facility, (formerly
Porterville Church of the Nazarene) that offers the largest single chapel
of any funeral home in California, multiple venues with full-kitchens to
serve as both reception and service facilities, it’s own crematory and
cremation witness room, as well as huge new beautiful selection rooms
for Cremation and Burial.
Les and Kim are committed to serving all faiths and all families in
Porterville and surrounding communities as if they are their personal
friends or family….because they too live and serve, right here in
Porterville.
Porterville funeral & Cremation Center...

...your funeral home.
We are located at: 765 W. Henderson Ave., Porterville, CA 93257
To learn more about Les and Kim, or to set up

proudly open to all faiths a personal consultation about funeral pre planning,
call 559-784-6485 or visit www.portervillefuneral.com.
PAGE 4B
A Place Called THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER THURSDAY, Feb. 28, 2019
Town and Country Market: A Porterville fixture since 1952

By JAMIE HUNT also wonderful Swedish jams to such as Columbus, ers and answering Porterville for
candies, spices, be found and other Dietz & Watson, questions. more than six de-
T
own and crackers, pastas European delica- and others that The Wong fam- cades, one day at
Country and more. cies throughout are hand-sliced ily has been serv-
Market is For the gour- the market. to order. The deli ing customers in TOWN Continued Page 7B
a great place to mets who shop at The meat mar- also offers hand-
explore. It is a the store, there is ket has both fro- made to order
FIREARMS
delightful place always something zen and fresh Poke bowls.
to shop, for adults special to find. meat available, One thing that
and children alike. There is an excel- and there is a nice is sure, is you will
In the Asian lent array of sauc- selection of fresh always see mul-
food aisles there es and salad dress- sausages. The deli tiple Wong fam-
are rows of ex- ings, and bottled is also a great find, ily members bus-
otic and delectable condiments such with a variety of ily working at the
candies, sauces, as Greek style cheeses, salamis, market, checking
curries and noo- peppers and Kala- hams, chicken on supplies of veg-
dles. In the His- mata olives. There and turkey cured etables or meat, or
panic food area are also Polish and by brand names greeting custom-
COUNTRY PLEASURES
GIFTS & GUNS
177 N. Main St., Porterville, CA
(559) 784-6451
countrypleasuresgifts&guns
countrypleauresguns & countrypleasuresgifts
WE BUY AND SELL

USED GUNS
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
A photograph from the late 1920s of the Wong family. Not all names are known, but pictured center is
Teddy Wong, and on the far right is Henry Wong.
Family Owned and

Operated
Since 2005
• Collision Repair
• Complete Paint Jobs
• Towing Available
Lifetime Guarantee on all repairs & paint!
M ILINICH BODY WORKS

631 Sunnyside Ave., Porterville, CA 93257 Specializing in service & 1164 W. Olive Ave, Porterville, CA
repair on domestic and
(559) 784-8827 foreign vehicles
(559) 782-3600
Specializing in
Heart & Vascular Diseases/Procedures
Heart and Vascular care in
Porterville Leg angiograms,
complex leg stents.
If you have symptoms of leg
pain, wounds in the foot,
diabetes for long term.
All these could be due to
poor leg circulation.
We treat blocked circulation in the
legs, here in our Porterville office.
We now do PET SCANS.
Dr. Taya Thayapran, MD

240 N. PORTER ROAD • Porterville
559-793-2677 We accept most insurances.
Proud To Be A Part
Of This Community!
Hillside Community Church Holy Cross Catholic Church
Building A Place Called Home...
Since 2001
Parkside Plaza Subway on Oak & Main
Supervisor Dennis A. Townsend

Porterville College Veteran’s Memorial Wall
Dennis A. Townsend, Tulare County Supervisor District 5

www.townsendgroup.net • 559-789-9999
PAGE 6B THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER THURSDAY, Feb. 28, 2019
ROTARY CLUB  
OF PORTERVILLE
Proudly Serving the Porterville  
Area Since 1921

The Gilliam/Gilmer Store was on the west side of Main Street between Mill Av-
enue and Oak Avenue. At one time Gertrude Oldham lived in the upstairs as a
child and the building was built by her father William Gordon. The building was
both Post Office and Wells Fargo Express Office and was the town weigh station
for products being sold.
In later years, Wilko Mentz bought the store and in 1915 they built the store
known as the Jones Hardware Store. The picture was taken in 1885.
MEETINGS
Tuesdays at Noon 
El Nuevo Mexicali II  
Restaurant
640 N. Prospect Street
For Information About Joining Our Club  

Please Contact: Sharon Kamberg 559-793-6231 or 
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS email: [email protected]
The Porterville Land Co. was on the southeast corner of Main Street and Oak
Avenue in 1915. The Subway sandwich shop is on the site today. The business
was owned by the Cornell brothers. P.J. Montgonery is seated in the car on left.
COME GROW WITH US!

He was prominent with the Tagus Ranch north of Tulare and also in the early
days of Terra Bella. The old car is a right hand drive.
Coming full circle...

No emissions
then...
No emissions
now.
Porterville Transit featuring

new zero emission electric buses.
61 W. Oak Ave., Porterville, CA 93257
(559) 791-7800
A Place Called
THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER PAGE 7B
Town and Country Market: Wong’s contribution to community enormous

Continued from Page 4B Wong Gung-Tone The market has former Porterville Education by the and other cousins
a time. The fourth or Gum (he was been enlarged Mayor Milt Stowe, Porterville Unified live in Idaho and
generation of the known by both twice, and the who asked Mr. School District in the Bay Area. His
family — Nick, names) owned present store Wong many times 1992. In 2014, he cousin Barbara
Stephen, Ryan, the National Meat dates from 1966. for favors to sup- was also given the Sue, who manages
and Aaron — can Market in San Town and Country port the city’s rec- Allen R. Coates the store with
be seen working Francisco. The Gasoline Station reation program. Award by the Por- him, has children
around the market competition was was added in 2001. “He was always terville Chamber living all over the
today. It’s still a so tough he de- His uncle Teddy helping anyway of Commerce. U.S.
family affair. cided to move his was one of the he could. He was a Teddy Wong There are now
“We get our family to the Cen- most influential person you could passed away in four genera-
vegetables from tral Valley. Origi- Chinese-Amer- always count 2015, but his leg- tions of the Wong
two different nally from Guang- icans in Porter- on,and he loved acy lives on in his family. The nine
produce houses zhou, China, he ville. He was not Porterville. He service to the Por- grandchildren of
in Fresno,” says and his wife had only a pillar of was very loyal to terville communi- Gung Tone have
Mark Wong, who seven children, the business com- this community.” ty and throughout children and
manages Town with five surviv- munity, but of He won count- the San Joaquin grandchildren.
and Country Mar- ing. the Chinese com- less awards Valley. “I thank the
ket with his cousin Grandfather munity in the San through the years. There are nine Porterville com-
Barbara Sue. “My Gung Tone and Joaquin Valley. Mr. Wong was grandchildren in munity for sup-
uncle Teddy used Teddy had trav- He was a cata- named the Man of the Wong fam- porting us for
to go pick out the eled up and down lyst in the found- the Year in 2001, ily, and too many 66 years. We
best vegetables California to find a ing of the Chinese was inducted into great-grandchil- wouldn’t be here
for the market, proper location. Cultural Center in the Porterville dren to mention, without all our
and he would “When he came Visalia, and was College Hall of says Mark. His customers,” said
personally pick up into Porterville he highly respected Fame and was cousin Brenda Mark Wong.
oranges, apricots, saw the mountains by all with whom named a Friend of lives in Colorado,
peaches, white with snow, and he he did business,
peaches, nectar- said, ‘this is the said his daughter,
ines and grapes at place,’” said Mark Barbara Sue, in a
the packing hous- Wong. story for The Re-
es. That way you Teddy, Norman, corder in January
cut out the middle and Henry were 2015.
man and can pass in their early Mr. Wong was
on the savings to to late twenties more than a store
your customers.” when they opened owner — he was a
They still pick Town and Country neighbor. Hardly
the best veg- Market in 1952. did one go into
etables and fruits They had a cousin the store without
locally. who had a store in running into him
Mark doesn’t Tulare called the and being greeted
know exactly why Palace Food De- by him. His con-
his grandfather pot. At the time, tributions to the
came to the U.S. Mark says, there community are CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
were a lot of Chi- enormous. This 1950s photo commemorates the first carload of Procter & Gamble products
in the late 1890’s to be delivered to Porterville at Town and Country Market. Standing in the fore-
and settled in San nese men in the “He was so civ-
ground next to boxes of laundry detergent are Town and Country employees,
Francisco, but Central Valley. ic-minded,” said including owner Ted Wong (right).
Proud
TO BE A PART OF THE
PORTERVILLE COMMUNITY
FOR 20 YEARS
WWW.GALAXYTHEATRES.COM
631 N INDIANA STREET, PORTERVILLE, CA 93257
A Place Called
Weisenberger’s Ace Hardware: a family with vision
W
By JAMIE A. HUNT resist for anyone who about anything you store in Porterville at growing up. After he hood, and graduated in
loves tools. You can need that you can’t 623 South Main St. returned from Vietnam 1982 from Porterville
eisenberg- find hammers, buck- find in larger big-box in 1944, starting the in 1968, he ran the High. She attended
er’s Ace ets, any type of nail stores. And if you business with just the store for five years and Cal Poly San Luis
Hardware is or screws, paint, rope, can’t find it, at least basics before relocat- purchased it in Janu- Obispo and graduated
a store that is hard to rakes, screens - just three or four employing to the Olive Ave. ary 1973. The business with an agricultural
ees will eagerly ask a store. Previously, was incorporated in business management
customer if they need Harold Weisenberger 1976. They affiliated degree.
help, most often the had sold milking ma- with Ace in 1962. The Babcocks have
minute you walk in chine parts and trac- During the 1980s, three grown children,
the store. tors for Jones Hard- Babcock says her twin daughters Sarah
The 10,000-square- ware in Porterville. father expanded the and Emily, and their
foot store at 875 W. The Olive Ave. business and built son Ethan.
Olive Ave. is a trea- Store celebrates its the other half of the “My grandparents
sure trove for the in- 75th anniversary store. She credits her would be delighted to
spired that was opened this year, says Sheri father with building be acknowledged 75
by Esther and Harold Babcock, Harold and up the business “so years later, that the
Weisenberger in 1949, Esther’s granddaugh- that we are still strong business is thriving,”
and was outside the ter, who runs the store and viable today. The she said. “I told my
city limits at that time. with her husband thing about a hardware Dad that I would try
For about 20 years, Gary, her high school store is you have tens and pass on and teach
tractors were sold and sweetheart. of thousands of items the next generation
repaired where the Babcock’s father to sell and you need what he taught me...
present parking lot is Daniel Weisenberger space for it.” the work ethic, being
located. worked alongside Growing up she of service, and leading
The Weisenberg- his two brothers in worked in the store by example.”
ers opened their first the hardware store throughout her child-
RECORDER PHOTOS BY JAMIE HUNT

The 10,000-square-foot store at 875 W.
Olive Ave. is a treasure trove for the in-
spired.
WEBB & SON HAS BEEN PROUDLY SERVING

THE CONSTRUCTION NEEDS OF PORTERVILLE AND
THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY SINCE 1945.
TIME HAS PASSED AND WE ARE STILL HERE!
www.webbandson.com
559-784-2951
163 South Mirage Lindsay CA 93247
EST 1900
The caring and experienced professionals at
Webb Sanders & Smith Funeral Home are here
to support you through this difficult time.
We offer a range of personalized services to
suit your family’s wishes and requirements.
You can count on us to help you plan a personal,
lasting tribute to your loved one. And we’ll
carefully guide you through the many decisions
that must be made during this challenging time.
(559) 562-3084
www.webbsandersandsmithfh.com
A Place Called THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER PAGE 11B
Golden State Paint & Body: Pride in giving back to community

By RECORDER STAFF mid 1970’s under Shortly after that, pansions, and the back to the local est quality repair
the name Classic the business grew company employee communities and work. The quality
Paint & Body and again and required count currently supporting schools, of the repair would
W
inners of located on East a move to South sits at 62 combined athletics, FFA, lo- always come be-
the Excel- Date Street. At the Main Street. The employees. cal clubs, police fore the profit in
lence in time, it was a one Main Street loca- Golden State’s and fire depart- the repair, and if he
Business Award, man operation by tion was home for philosophy over the ments, as well as didn’t like the way
Golden State Paint Dennis Watson, about three years, years has and al- many other deserv- something looked,
and Body received with some help and the employ- ways will be “Qual- ing organizations. it would be redone
the award from the from his very ees grew to about ity First.” They They have also at no charge before
City of Porterville young sons. 10, most of which believe in never consistently sup- he would let it go.
and the Chamber A few years later, were family. In putting a dollar ported Valley Chil- The high quality
of Commerce. a larger and more 2000, Golden State ahead of a quality dren’s Hospital, standards that Den-
Dennis Watson Sr. modern shop was moved to a brand repair. That prem- St. Jude’s Hospital nis Sr. demands are
has had his shop located on Sun- new, state of the ise matched with and other very stronger than ever.
at multiple sites nyside Street. At art facility on West an equally impor- important, worthy Customers have
in Porterville, but that time in 1987, Olive Avenue. tant goal — to pro- causes. been so pleased
says he’s glad they the name was In 2002, Golden vide the absolute “I have had the with the work
moved to the cur- also changed to State Auto Glass best service pos- pleasure of work- done, that Watson
rent site on W. Golden State Paint was established sible throughout ing with my four has received count-
Olive, where they & Body to attract as well as Golden the repair process sons, wife and two less thank you
built a large mod- a broader collision State Paint & Body has been the staple daughter-in-laws notes from them.
ern building. repair customer in Tulare in 2004. of our success. for many years. We He also has a
The business was base while not just Throughout the The company recently added my theory about word
originally estab- focusing on classic years there have take tremendous grandson, which of mouth advertis-
lished back in the cars. been many ex- pride in giving makes us a third ing, and if you do a
generation shop, good job for a cus-
of which I am very tomer, his feeling
proud,” says Den- goes, “he’ll tell 10
nis Watson Sr. “To other people,” who,
be able to do some- when they need the
thing you truly en- services your busi-
joy with the many ness provides, will
people you love for think of you first.
so long has truly “If you treat your
been a blessing. customers fairly
I will always try and honestly, that
and give back to will stick in their
the community and mind,” he says. He
many friends we learned the paint
so appreciate and and body work re-
love.” pair business from
From the begin- his father, who
ning, Dennis Wat- moved his family
son Sr. decided that from Iowa to Cali-
RECORDER PHOTO BY JAMIE HUNT his business was fornia to work full
Dennis Watson Jr. learned the paint and body work repair business from his father, who moved his family going to be known time in a garage.
from Iowa to California to work full time in a garage. for doing the high-
Bank of Sierra: Overcoming Disaster and Growing
B
By RECORDER STAFF
ank of the
Sierra’s
first branch
opened in Porterville
in 1978, and over the
next decade opened
five more branches,
beginning a stretch
of unprecedented
growth through
branch openings and
bank acquisitions
throughout the Cen-
tral Valley and Cen-
tral Coast. There are
branches in Tulare,
Kern, Fresno, Kings,
Ventura counties, and
in San Luis Obispo,
Santa Barbara, and
Los Angeles.
“During the 1970s,
Bank of the Sierra’s
founders saw an op-
portunity to start a
community bank in
their hometown of
Porterville.
In 1977, they com-
pleted their organiza-
tion, and in January
1978, our first branch
opened on Main
Street,” said Kevin
McPhaill, President CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS
& CEO. “Over the In October 1991 a devastating fire consumed the third floor of Bank of the Sierra’s corporate offices on Main Street in Porterville.
past 42 years, the
bank has built a tradi- roots. We are proud offices on Main Street throughout the Cen- anniversary and give serves and promises.
tion of expansion, to be part of the Por- in Porterville. At the tral Valley, and now back to the commu- “We will help
and we now have terville community time, the Porterville has over 40 branches. nity of Porterville, make every com-
40 branches in eight and look forward to Recorder reported The bank started Bank of the Sierra munity we’re part of
counties throughout many years to come.” that it “may be the with only 11 employ- built a massive three- better.”
the Central Valley But that expansion most costly fire in ees in 1978 and now story playground at The small Porterville
and coastal region. was almost halted Porterville’s history.” has over 550. It was the Sports Complex bank that opened
This growth would entirely in October After much hard recognized as one of and donated to the over 40 years ago is
not be possible with- 1991. A devastating work and determina- the strongest and top- city in January 2018. now the largest inde-
out staying true to our fire consumed the tion, the bank recov- performing commu- Bank of the Sierra pendent bank in the
community banking third floor of Bank of ered stronger than nity banks in the U.S. is still committed to southern San Joaquin
the Sierra’s corporate before and has grown To celebrate its 40th the communities it Valley.
PAGE 12B
A Place Called
THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER THURSDAY, Feb. 28, 2019
Suncrest Bank: Keeping a small town going in tough times

Contributed By bank’s first five has thrived, grown keeping our cus- at the same local dependent streak
Elizabeth Zennadi
years, Suncrest stronger, and has tomers’ money body shop. They about Cindy and
S
uncrest Bank put over $100 continued expand circulating locally, had often talked Mike Armstrong.
was founded million into the to meet the needs and lending locally about striking Rather than just
in 2008 by a local economies of an ever-growing to help businesses out on their own, growing their
group of Central of Visalia and personal and busi- grow locally. They and when an op- olives, they de-
Valley business Porterville, help- ness customer believe they only portunity arose to cided to process
leaders and pro- ing small business base throughout succeed when the buy the shop, they them too. Now
fessionals. This customers acquire the Central Valley. community suc- needed a bank that Armstrong Olives
group recognized farmland and com- The bank’s ceeds — the core really understood supplies gourmet
and responded mercial real es- shareholders, value upon which their needs and stuffed olives to
to a critical eco- tate, finance equip- directors, manage- the bank is built, the local market. national retail-
nomic issue at that ment purchases, ment and staff all and why their Suncrest worked ers across the
time — the need to inject working live and work in mission statement with them every country. Where do
provide financing capital into their the communities simply states, step of the way to independent-mind-
to local businesses operations, and they serve, and “Suncrest Bank: secure the SBA ed folks bank?
in an extremely undertake new they are proud of Helping to build loan they needed, “Suncrest Bank
weak economy, construction and their local roots, and sustain local and now the Criss- in Porterville,”
and at a time the development proj- proud of their lo- communities.” mans feel they says Cindy, “We
large national ects. cal communities, A few customer have a partner saw the bank was
banks, and even By committing and proud of the stories: they can trust. owned and man-
many local banks, to local small busi- role their bank Before open- “I love going into aged by local
were cutting off nesses in this way, plays in helping to ing Porterville Suncrest Bank,” business people.
lending and with- and sticking with support and grow Collision, Jan and says Jan. “Every- We figured, good
drawing from the them during a local economies. Charlie Crissman one knows me by people, good
market. In the difficult economic Their success is worked together name.” bank.”
period, the bank based entirely on for many years There’s an in-

RIGHT: This is Springville at the time
of World War I as you can tell by
the cars on the street and the pow-
er poles. The big feature in those
days was the Soda Spring and peo-
ple flocked to Springville by train
and cars for a weekend jaunt.
Three main buildings in town were
the WIlkerson Hotel on the left
and the Elster Building and Livery
Stable on the right.

LEFT: This is a picture circa 1895 of the dining room
of the Pioneer Hotel. It was run by Mr. Dunning and
was a first class operation in its day. The Hotel also
had a first class bar and they refused to have the
bar called a saloon.

RIGHT: The First National Bank was on the northeast
corner of Main Street and Mill Avenue. The building is
still there.H.C. Carr was the manager and Fred Veil was
the head cashier. The Security First National Bank was on
the southwest corner of Main Street and Oak Avenue. The
bank moved to the northwest corner of Main Street and
Putnam Avenue.

LEFT: The Pioneer Bank was the first bank in
Porterville and was in the Pioneer Hotel. It was
started in 1890 and remained there until 1904 when
it moved to the southeast corner of Main Street
and Putnam Avenue. In the picture from left is John
Loyd, George Williamson, Richard Bradley, Aubrey
Lumley and Thomas Jefferson Will. The Pioneer Land
Co. owned the bank, hotel, and Pioneer Water Co.
and a lot of land they were selling northwest of
Porterville. They put the name Pioneer on
everything they owned.
A Place Called
Promoting Self Worth: a bright light in Porterville for over 60 years
Contributed By working group of of our board of direc- round, and Village nity and is grateful for seven individuals to
people anywhere. tors, management and Vogue where you will the many partnerships where we are today
RON KILLINGSWORTH
P
PSW Director of Marketing
and Legislative Affairs
We count it a privi- staff to the individuals find upscale clothing in success that have if it were not for the
romoting Self lege to serve those in we serve here at PSW. and merchandise at been built over our 60- community support we
Worth Organi- our programs. With the It all began from huge savings. plus year history. We receive.
zation, or PSW overwhelming com- a parent’s love, and The organization is could not have grown Porterville has been
literally began out of a munity support, PSW we all try to emulate proud of its commit- from our modest good to PSW, and for
parent’s love for their has grown from a that today as we assist ment to our commu- beginnings of serving that we say thank you.
child and a desire to volunteer staff serv- individuals with dis-
have more opportuni- ing seven clients to abilities to achieve a
ties for their child after now employing over more independent and
they graduated from 228 staff serving over productive life.
the school program as 850 individuals with PSW runs multiple
there were no options developmental and services the commu-
available at that time. intellectual disabilities nity can benefit from,
In 1956 Lupe Hahn in Kings and southern such as landscape
organized a habili- Tulare counties in re- maintenance, janito-
tation program for habilitation and ha- rial services, dairy
developmentally dis- bilitation programs, as maintenance, graffiti
abled adults in an old well as many retail and removal and confiden-
war surplus building service departments to tial document shred-
located behind Olive serve Porterville. ding. The well-known
Street School. This Within the past year, downtown sweeping
organization was the PSW has been named crew was the first sup-
seventh rehabilitation as non profit of the ported employment
facility dedicated to year by the California group of its kind in
serving developmen- Non Profits Asso- the state of California
tally disabled adults in ciation, Outstanding created in the 1970s.
California at the time, Business by the City PSW also has multiple
and the only workshop of Porterville, and Em- retail spaces such as
in a community of ployer of the Year by Boomerang Recy-
8,500 residents. the Porterville Cham- cling, the only drive
If you ask PSW ber of Commerce, thru recycling center
employees what and most recently was in Tulare County, The
their favorite part of nominated as Service Copy Center, Value
working for PSW is, Provider of the Year Village Thrift Store,
their answers will all by the Central Valley Sunshine Laundry, and
be similar: “It’s the Champions Award the new Snack Shack
people we serve.” You committee. located inside Value
will not find a more These are testa- Village, where we also RECORDER PHOTO BY JAMIE HUNT
genuine, caring, hard ments to the dedication sell See’s Candies year Boomerang Recycling, the only drive thru recycling center in Tulare County.
Walmart Distribution Center: thriving in Porterville

Porterville and the later in 1990. Just center southwest of Porterville. The avail- City Manager Guy
T
Contributed By
KENT DELPERDANG
residents of this com- think what it would be Porterville College. ability of highway Huffaker, Director of
he Porterville munity for their sup- today. And after explaining access, the quality Community Servic-
DC was the port. Red Carpet laid out why the second-larg- of life, the quality of es Mike Unser,
first distribu- Some interesting for Wal-Mart, an arti- est retailer in the na- schools, the hospi- Development Asso-
tion center for Wal- Wal-Mart facts: cle written in August, tion (now the world) tal and community ciate Vickie Maples
mart in the state of Founded by Sam 1990, by staff writer chose Porterville for leadership. And they and Mayor Ted Ens-
California. Walton, the first store Mark Phillips, says the 1.2 million square- also wanted a good, slin reflected pride,
Receiving began on opened in 1962. Head- sometimes good news foot warehouse, Wal- sound work force . . . community spirit and
August 5th, 1991 and quartered in Benton- is just good news. It Mart representatives, and felt, that, overall forward thinking that
the first case shipped ville, Ark. happens. civic leaders, and city Porterville best exhib- helped them in their
on September 7th, As of August 1990, After Wal-Mart officials were thrilled ited the attributes they decision to locate the
1991. before Wal-Mart Senior Vice President and excited. were looking for.” Distribution Center in
The facility ser- opened in Porterville, Joe Hardin announced Over two years The Wal-Mart Porterville and bring
viced 44 stores on they estimated that a that Wal-Mart would they’d traveled said executives at the thousands of jobs to
the west coast and $1000 investment in begin constructing Hardin, and, “They time felt that the City the community as well
shipped an average of 1970 would be worth a $30 million West hadn’t come across a Leadership of capable as continuing long
500,000 cases a week. $500,000, 20 years Coast distribution finer community than and dedicated people; term benefits.
(Today we ship 1.9 –
2.0 million a week.)
Walmart had ap-
proximately 325,000
associates working for
the company versus
2,200,000 today.
Sam’s belief that
“Our people make the
difference” is espe-
cially evident in this
facility as they were
chosen DC of the Year
in 2017 (And I should
find out next week if
we repeated in 2018 –
I think we will.) This
team is consistently
a top performer in
almost every opera-
tional category.
We continue to be
grateful for the sup- CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
port of the City of An aerial view of Walmart Distribution Center in south Porterville.
PAGE 14B
Porterville Feed & Seed

By JAMIE HUNT
“
My Dad, Man-
uel Azevedo,
Bob Dennis
and Bohon Black
started Porterville
Feed and Seed in
1974,” says Robert
Azevedo, who runs
the establishment
with Tom Masters.
The site was
formerly Farmer’s
Feed until 1973, and
before that it was
Associated Feed.
There is a picture
of Associated Feed
in the 1933 flood
in Porterville, on
January 29.
Azevedo says his
Dad retired from
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
running the store
Associated Feed during the 1933 flood in Porterville, now the site of Porterville Feed & Seed.
after 20 years and
his partner Dennis
took over. ing is all white was built in 1910. It remaining buildings back of the build- was a mill where
The front build- painted brick and is one of the oldest on D Street. The ing was built after he worked when it
WWII, but in early was Farmer’s Feed,
years the railroad where his Dad was
tracks ran in back foreman, and Den-
of the building nis also a foreman.
down the alley, and They made the
they sold coal back feed and brought it
in 1910. to the store to sell.
Dave Perkins In the 1960’s he’d
took over Porterville buy a 50-pound
Feed in 2010, and block of ice and put
Azevedo and Mas- it in the icebox in
ters run the place. the store so they’d
“It’s been a real have cold water.
good business,” says He says, “This
Azevedo, “and we building has always
have great custom- been a feed store.
ers.” Farmer’s Feed
He says there started in 1946.”

RIGHT: Biddles store on Main Street was a gathering place for
children who lived in Porterville. Perry and Emma Biddle were
the owners and they hired children to distribute magazines
and newspapers. There was no way to lock the store at night
so Perry had a chicken wire frame that he kept beside the store
and pulled it in front of the store. No one ever stole anything.

LEFT: On Oct. 15, 1925, the first bale of cotton was ginned in Porterville. The
Cotton Gin was on South E Street north of Orange Avenue. The men in the
picture are not named, but the little boy was Roscoe Land. Soon, more cotton
gins were in production in the Woodville area and the Porterville Cotton Gin
ceased operation. In Woodville the gins were closer to the cotton, and at one
time Woodville had five cotton gins.

RIGHT: Before the coming of
refrigerators, ice was an important
commodity, and Jesse Frame owned the
icehouse in Porterville. He got his ice
from Fresno and on the front of the
icehouse was the sign Fresno. Frame
also owned the Signal Oil Co. and
delivered oil on this wagon with this
horse. The picture was taken in front of
the icehouse at the corner of Vine
Avenue and D Street.
A Place Called THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER PAGE 15B
Webb-Sanders & Smith Funeral Home

By JAMIE HUNT store operated by being recorded from name Sanders was
L.C. Losey. Over the 1901. The first ad- added, and in 2017,
T
he funeral years people had re- vertisement in the the current owners
home began quested Mr. Losey to old Lindsay newspa- added their last name
doing business make a “coffin” for per from the library to the business name,
somewhere around their loved one who shows that a Mr. which is now Webb,
1901 says Eddie had passed away and Webb advertised “un- Sanders and Smith
Smith, and was start- one day, someone re- dertaking services” Funeral Home Inc.
ed by a gentlemen by portedly asked him in 1929. It’s sometimes hard
the name of Joshua why he didn’t become As obituaries to meld the history
M. Hadley. As I un- an undertaker. Mr. weren’t really an of such an old, estab-
derstand from a his- Losey said he wasn’t advertised event in lished place with the
torian from Visalia, interested, but knew those days, actual newer, more modern
Mr. Hadley started of a man he might news paper informa- practices that are a CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
the Hadley Funeral ask from Visalia, and tion is scarce and vital part of the cur- The original Webb Sanders building is still in use
Chapel in Visalia the rest is history. hard to come by. rent way of doing today.
around 1896. In looking into the For many years, the business, but Webb, ery day to faithfully meeting the exciting
The funeral home history of the funeral funeral home was Sanders and Smith serve the community challenges of the fu-
in Lindsay was at home, hand written called Webb Funeral continue to work and to stay in touch ture in a place called
the time a furniture logs of deaths began Home. Then, the hard each and ev- with their past while Lindsay.
The Lindsay wellness center idea was developed in 2002

after the Lindsay District Hospital closed. The project
was a partnership between the City of Lindsay and
the Lindsay District Hospital board. The facility has been
developed to provide adults with a state of the art safe
and friendly place to learn about health and wellness
related conditions, enjoy the company of others and
exercise at their own pace. In addition to our group
fitness classes, aquatics center, and fitness center, we
offer a variety of educational and social activities.
We invite you to visit us to take a tour of our beautiful
facility and meet with our membership team! The
Lindsay Wellness Center is a premier wellness facility.
Our mission is to provide a safe and affordable facility
for the individual self-discovery of their own personal
good wellness.
860 North Sequoia • Lindsay, CA 93247 • (559) 562-5196

Monday–Thursday: 5:00 AM–8:00 PM
Friday: 5:00 AM–5:00 PM • Saturday: 7:00 AM–12:00 PM
Since 2008, Our People Have Made the Difference
In January of 2008, we opened our doors to the public for the first time, and Porterville Holiday Inn Express Family
from that moment, it has been an ever-evolving story, filled with memories, different
faces, and exciting events, but most of all, it has been an unforgettable experience.
From the day we opened, we made it our goal to provide a home away from
home to every individual who walked through our doors. And although we have
seen thousands upon thousands of different faces; some more often than others;
regardless of whether they stay once, or for years on end, every single guest has
helped refine, and shape us, allowing us to provide a better experience, time and
time again.
Ultimately, that’s what it’s all about, the experience, whether it be at a hotel, or
the guest level. The experience one has here, makes all the difference. We believe
that is the reason we have not only employees who have been here from the day
we opened, but also guests who have been loyal to our hotel, our brand, for over a
decade, and that is what drives us to be the best we can be. Mariah, Leticia Olivia, Osvaldo(back), Rosa(left middle), Lucina(right middle), Josefina, Serafin, Edgar
Rosa Ojeda and Lucina Gil (featured in the picture) are amazing examples of
the time and effort put into making our hotel the best possible. For the past 97,000
hours, roughly 577 weeks, which translates into over 11 years of hard work, these
two individuals have stuck through the ups and downs of being part of our team.
Without them, the success we have had would surely not be the same. Every member
who has come and gone has played an important role in helping us achieve exactly
what we want, to be a home, away from home for every guest, and everyone here.
With that in mind, we are extremely excited to announce that we are remodeling
the entire hotel! Implementing modern touches to every surface. From the guest
rooms, to the lobby and breakfast area, we are renovating everything, allowing us
to maintain the longevity of our hotel.
Although the facade may change, and maybe the faces as well, our appreciation
In Porterville, Let
doesn’t. We are happy to be a part of this community. Happy to provide a home to
every family visiting the National Park and National Forest, all those visiting family in us be Your Home
the area, everyone who comes week after week for business, and all the courageous
pilots and firefighters who stay all summer long to fight fires or prevent them. Away From Home
We can truly say that we have had an amazing time over the last decade and look
forward to the decades to come. 840 S Jaye St, Porterville, CA 93257 • (559) 782-1200
It’s official
Wal-Mart to locate distribution center here
At least
500 jobs
5
created
c
Byy M
B Mark
ark Phillips
Staff
St
S taff W
Writer
riter
The cat
The cat is officially out of th
the
he bbag.
ag
Make
M ake tthat
hat a $30 million cat aandnd aatt
leeast a 11.2
least .22 m
million
illion ssquare-foot
quare-ffoot bbag.
ag
Wal-Mart
W al-Mart ooffi
fficcials
ials aannounced
nnounced
Tuesday
Tuesday that
uesday that the
the na-
na
Economic
E i impact
i is
i significant
By M
Mark
ark P
Phillips
hillips The city has already received “Other companies also will Enterprise Zone, Huffaker
Huffaaker ssaid.
aidd.
Staff
Staf
ff W
Writer
riter $550,000 in grant funding as a look toward Porterville. Every
Once Wal-Mart is ooperational,
perational,
n
result of WalMart’s decision to time a company analyzes the
Wal-Mart’s
W al-Mart’s West Coast the city could target industries
inddustries like
l
locate here, Ensslin said. area, the city receives a series of
disttriibution center is expected
distribution inquiries from businesses and floor covering mills, m millwork,
illwork,
o
boost the local economy
to boost On top of all that, the distribution
center will be built in the city’s industry,” Huffaker said. aircraft and parts and commercial
commerccial
drammatically, city officials said
dramatically,
newly created redevelopment One city official who asked printing, to name a ffew, ew, the
Tueesdday.
Tuesday.
area
area, providing
area, prov
provididin
ingg cash
cash to
to that
that fund
fun
undd not
not to be be identifi
iden
identi fied until
tifi unt il after
ntil aft
fter
er Spectrum
Spec
Sp ectr um report
trum rep
epor suggests.
ortt su
sugg
gges
estts.
C
Ci
ittyy staff
City sta
taff crunched
taff cru
runc
nchhe
nc hed numbers
hed numb
mber
ber
erss designed
desi
de g edd to
sign
ign to locate
loca
loca
lo te here,
catte her e, Huffaker
eree, Huf
uffffa
fake
fak
ker
ker Tuesday’s
Tues
Tues
Tu esdda
day’
y’s press
p es
presss conference
conf
nfer
fer
eren
ence
en ce
Monday
ndday
ay, an
Monday, andd TuT
Tues
uesda
esdday
es day st
da
Tuesday staf
taff
afff
staff After
Aft
Af Wal-Mart’s
ter Wa
ter
te W
Wal
al-
l-Ma t’s ddistribution
Mart
rt’ istr
ist
is trib
tri
ibut
ut on
utio
said,
said
sa which
id, wh
id, whi
whic
hich
ich sa
ic y ssomething
says
ys omet
om hingg ffor
etthing
ethi or tthe
he
he dustry
sttryy from
dustry
dust
du fro
romm Southern
hern California
Southe
Sout
So uth
ut
thern
he Cal
alif
lifor
iforni
ornia
niia
b estimated
members ti t d that
th t the
th nually.
ll Portewille
P t ill area. to
t remaining i i parcels
l in i the th
Eleven months of labor comes to fruition

By R
Rick
ick E
Elkins
lkin
lkinss hoping
hopi
ho ng to
ping to see
see an economic
eco
cono
nomi
micc state
atee looking
stat
st look
lo ingg at areas.
okin are
reas
as. “They
“Th ey did
They did nnot
ot iidentify
denttify
Managing
Man
naaging E
Editor
ditor rebirth for Porterville. Then, on August 31, themselves as Wal-Mart.
Wal-MMart. We
It
I was
was nearly a year ago to Wal-Mart did become city officials were told that had a suspicion the fi firrst
rst time
tiime
the day
day that
that city officials were Huffaker’s baby. He did have a representatives of the company who it was, but wee did did nott
toldd tthat
hat a large retailer was lot of help, but for the past 11 would be landing at the Visalia know until several meetings
meetin ngs
looking
lookkiing for for site to locate its months he has worked, eaten and Airport and that Porterville, later that it was aactually ctuaally
west
wesstt coast
coast distribution centre. slept Wal-Mart. It has dominated Tulare and Visalia city officials WalMart,” said Huffaker.
Huffakker.
Some
Soomme 350350 days later and after his agenda. With 1,000 jobs would each be given a short time Huffaker said Wal-Mar
Wal-M
Wa Marr
hundreds
hunnddreds of telephone calls, at stake, it was well worth the to make their individual view contacted the California
niaa De
Californ De
countless
couunntleesss meetings,
meet
me etin
et g , piles
ings
in gs less cately
p le
pi cate
ca tely
te ly
y effort.
effo
ef rt. ready
fort
fo rt read
ready
ad y within
with
wi in a couple
thin
th cou p e of
oupl
pl of the
the city,”
cit y,” said
ityy, said Huffaker.
Huf
uffakerr. The
fake
fake The
taking
ngg eeach
takiing a h st
ac step,
step
tep
p, wo worrying
worrrryi
yingg days
y since
days
da ince representatives
sin
ince rep
pre
rese
senttat ives of
ati
tiv
ives of the
thhe whole
wh hol le presentation
ole p es
pr esen
entta
en tatiion lasted
tion las ted less
astte
ted less
le
thatt eve everything
veryryth
thi
hing
ing wa wass 0K 0K, company
comp
co paanyy were
mpan weree traversing
tra
rave
ave
vers
rsiing the
sing tthhe than
tth a 30
han 30 minutes.
minu
mi inute
utes.
tess.
Porterville welcomes
Wal-Mart
Byy Mark
B Markk Phillips Wad-Mart facts
Staff
St
Staff W
Writer
ritter A snapshot of Wal-MartWal-M Mart and and
n
Sometimes
S ometimes good news is planned distribution ccentre:entre:
ust
uusst good
good news. It happens. • Founded by Sam m W Waltor..
altor..
After
A fter WalWal-Mart
Mart Senior Firstore opened p inn 11962.9662.
Vice
Vice President
President Joe Hardin Headqua tered in Bentonvillet
Benntonv nvilllet
announced
aannnounced at a Tuesday press Ark.
conference
ccoonference that Wal-Mart • Wal-Mart stock fir firrst
st ttraded
raded
e
would
would begin
begin constructing in the counter in Octob October,
ber, 1970.1970.
September
Seeptember its $30 million
S $1,000 investment the thenen w would
ould
West
West Coast
Coa
o st
stdt distribution
dist
istrib
tribut
utiion center
tion cent
nter
ter worth
wo th some
rth
rt some $$500,000
5000,00
50 0000 tottoday.
oday.
Southwest
Soouutthw
S hwesestt off P Porterville
ortte
or terv
terv
rvil
illle
il le • Wal-Mart
Wal-Ma
Wal
Wa Martt earned
ear nedd almost
arne
ne almo
allmo
mosst st $26
$26
2
Coland
Cola
C ndd after
land aft er explaining
fter exp
xplla
lain
lai
inin
iniing wh
ing why
hy b li
lion iinn sal
sales in 1989.
les in 198 It
9899 It reporeport
Walmart Distribution & Transportation Center

Porterville
Proud to be a part of this wonderful community
A Place Called
Growing
Our
Future
PAGE 2C
Watch us grow
A
griculture is the foundation
upon which Porterville and
its neighboring communities
are built.
From the intrepid first settlers
who experimented with planting
the first orange seeds in Tulare
County soil to later generations
who sought innovative solutions to
grow crops in the dry heat of the
Central Valley, our pursuits in ag-
riculture have brought out the best
in us — as individuals and as com-
munities.
In fact, one could make the
argument that the title of this sec-
tion — ‘Growing Our Future’ — is
more literal than figurative.
While crops are grown, harvest-
ed and replanted with each season,
the seeds sown by the hard working
The “Salute to Farmer” statue has become something of an icon in Porterville over the years. Here, Buck
Shaffer’s Fabulous Studio Band gathers around the statue for a group photo. Nestled in the farmer’s left farmers and ranchers of our com-
arm is a young Jim Kusserow, who would succeed Shaffer as director of the Porterville High School Panther
munities have also played a larger
role in developing the signature
Band and run the program until 2018.
industries of Tulare County, as well

The story of the “Salute to Farmer” statue as establishing a culture of hard
work and determination that has
with his bare hands. How- was not always fond of his
L
come to define us as a people.
By JAMIE SARR
ocated on the corner ever, maybe not as many work. School buses were The Agriculture Section of ‘A
of Main street and can tell you who created said to be rerouted to avoid
driving past some of his Place Called Home’ contains imag-
Henderson Avenue is the work of art and why. es and stories that shed some light
a piece of Porterville's past "Salute to Farmer" was less clothed pieces, though
— a tribute to those who sculpted by Dr. Kenneth the town eventually grew on Porterville’s agricultural journey
have sculpted our home as H. Fox, a dentist. Dr. Fox to appreciate his work and over the years.
well as provided the nour- engineered the concrete even commissioned him Along the way there have been
ishment to grow — the behemoth in 1977 as part for more. Our farmer and success and failures, and moments
farmers. of Porterville's bicenten- his plow have long been of triumph and heartbreak, but
Most Porterville na- nial celebration, though we adored by Porterville resi- ultimately our efforts to grow have
dents and since he's made transformed the place we call home
tives can tell you where are not the only town to of "solid concrete, like the
the statue sits and what boast his artwork. highways," as Dr. Fox puts and, in doing so, we have been
he looks like — a pensive Auburn, California it, he will be here for many transformed ourselves as well.
farmer sitting on his plow holds many more of his more residents to enjoy in
sifting through the soil creations, though the town the future.
1973 2019
1973
1973 2017
Though times
have
changed...
1986
1987 2018
2017
One thing
is certain...
1980
The Porterville Fair

has always been a
great time for the entire
community!
2018
2018
Coming May 15-19, 2019
Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 9:00am
Free concert with

fair admission
Saturday, May 18, 2019
Save money! Purchase tickets early beginning April 1st at the Fair Office
2700 W. Teapot Dome Ave., Porterville CA 93257 (559)781-6582 • portervillefair.com
PAGE 4C
Citrus: the crop that would shape our area

Compiled from the writings
Slate Range” brought
T
of area historian
INA STINER two oranges, and that
his mother planted the
he first orange seeds and that it took
trees were seven years for the or-
planted in the ange tree that grew to
Porterville area in the bear. This ‘first’ orange
19th century, and the tree also has disap-
industry grew steadily peared in the course of
over the decades to time.
become one of the There was actually
signature crops of the an earlier planting of
region. orange trees on the
Mr. O.E. Gibbons Tule River, but it did
gave the following not outlive the frost
account on how the of winter. In 1853, as
fruit came to be a part soon as Sardis Wilcox
of local history in an settled on the first fork
interview with Mar- of the Tule River he
tha Louise Baker in went to Los Angeles
1915: “There was a and traced a number of
Fourth of July celebra- assests he had acquired
tion in Visalia in 1863 there years before for
given by the soldiers 250 head of cattle, CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS
stationed there. I ate some pigs, 600 grape Migrant labor was not too plentiful so families would pick oranges for the different growers in their area.
my first orange. My vines and 600 orange
Boxes were used instead of bins. Horses and wagons hauled the oranges to the packing house. Some of the
mother saved the seeds seedlings. The grape
older trees were so tall they had to use 20-foot ladders to pick oranges. These packers are on the H.J. Wil-
and planted them as an vines grew and flour-
liams orchard that was located at East Putnam Avenue and Crestview. The photo was taken in about 1912.
experiment. Five trees ished, but the oranges,

grew; three growing to planted alongside the extension to the hills
maturity and bearing grapes in the lowland, of Cypress Avenue).
fruit in 1889. People soon froze out. Later, Henry went to
paid 25 cents apiece The first successful Riverside to study
for oranges from attempt to plant nurs- citrus culture and upon
them.” ery grown citrus trees returning to Porterville
Also in 1863, Huff- was that of Albert R. developed a fine grove
man M. White planted Henry in the spring of and nursery.
some orange seeds at 1879. He drove to Riv- It was ten years later
her home in the south- erside with a wagon in the spring of 1889
ern part of Frazier and brought back 100 that the first com-
Valley. Her son Wil- orange trees, which mercial undertaking
liam R. Brown says he planted above the of budded Washing-
that “Billy Morrow ditch on the slope of ton Navels and other
This picture is of the Plano Street and Date Avenue area about 1938. It was
who came with a man
taken by Vernon “June Bug” Baird and Morgan Reynolds. Shortly before World
the foothills east of varieties of oranges War II, Baird flew and Reynolds took the pictures. The building on the left is the
named Lyons to go his house (which was occurred. Lemon Packing House. The other two buildings were Orange Packing Houses.
with Mr. White up to about at the eastward Paradoxically, it was The one in the center was torn down to make way for the widening of Grevilla
Street. In the widening they took out the Grevilla trees so they changed the
name of the street from Grevilla to Plano.
‘absentee owners’ who turned in from the Pat- were scattered parcels
The Airway Cafe took the step. They

secured George Frost
to do the planting as he
was a Riverside orange
terson Ditch to irrigate
them. A Mr. Halford
remembered his first
lesson in raising the
in sections that are
now grown to a solid
mass of orange rows.
Peter Ting planted
Drive in, fly in, or just walk in, The Airway Cafe at the expert. The owners little wooden head- ten acres near Plano,
were mainly Wisconsin gate a few inches at a Henry Peterson planted
Porterville Municipal Airport has always been a
people and some never time instead of taking near Welcome, there
great place for a great meal. even came here except it out entirely. was a Putnam grove
for an occasional visit. Doubtless a num- near Success, some
Enjoy the casual atmosphere while watching planes and The trees were not ber of local farmers were planted at Globe,
helicopters land and take off or just enjoy the beautiful scenery. all Washington Na- availed themselves of and the Pioneer Land
Family owned and operated, Debie Fittro and daughter, Sarah, vels; there were some the opportunity offered Company planted near
Mediterranean Sweets by the first planting Zante. Other nurser-
make sure all their patrons are comfortable, content, and well fed!
and other varieties and Mr. Frost’s as- ies besides that of the
and even seedlings sistance. Julius Orton Henrys were that of
with the idea of seeing got six little cull trees Mr. Burgess and that
which would do best. from Mr. Frost’s first of Billy Hemphill,
The trees were shipped lot of orange trees and both north of town.
from Florida, about planted them at his Thus, a simple story
100 or so packed with home south of Lindsay. of planting runs the be-
bare roots in each large Where the Santa Fe ginning of the history
1893 S. Newcomb St. Porterville, CA box. rail depot stands today of the industry that
(559) 784-8208 As the trees were Dr. Henrahan planted made Porterville grow.
planted water was ten acres. Soon there
PORTERVILLE FEED
20 South D Street • Porterville • 781-5414
Porterville Feed is proud

to be a part of the community!
SIERRA
FOREST
PRODUCTS
Locally Owned & Operated
Since 1966
Since construction
began in 1966, Sierra
Forest Products has been
a part of our community.
From participation in
our local events to
helping build our
childrens’ future,
we make great efforts to

be a company you can
trust. At Sierra Forest
Products we endeavor to
aid our environment,
take care of our

employees, and give
back to our communities
so we can fulfill our
duty as an American
company.
9000 Road 234 • Terra Bella • 535-4893

PAGE 6C THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER THURSDAY, Feb. 28, 2019
nce 1969
Since
S in 9
RECORDER PHOTO
A young exhibitor shows her hog at the 1991 Porterville Fair.
RECORDER PHOTO
A young FFA exhibitor celebrates after winning Reserve Grand Champion at the
Porterville Fair.
RECORDER PHOTO
A young elephant gets a bath as youngsters look on at the 1968 Porterville Fair.
A Place Called
THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER PAGE 7C
Porterville Fair: bringing the community together since 1947
T
By RECORDER STAFF acquired in the form of featured a performance
materials, finding a way by the Emblem Club
he very first Por- to pay off the balance, can-can girls, and 334
terville Fair was and calling it quits. head of livestock were
held on May 14 But the directors were exhibited, consisting
and 15, 1948 at Porter- determined to see the of 116 beef cattle, 120
ville High School. fair continue, and after lambs, 53 hogs and 45
Sensing that it would many meetings they dairy cattle. An awards
be a great asset to the decided to move to the banquet was held in the
community, the Porter- City ballpark, book American Legion Hall.
ville Chamber of Com- professional entertain- In 1963, the theme was
merce the next year ment, and have one more ‘Visions of the Future,’
entrusted nine men with go, meanwhile arranging and for the first time
$1,221.62 and charged to carry the fair’s debt the carnival would offer
them with creating an for a year. The 1951 fair adult rides. The atten-
annual livestock show turned a profit, dance was 14,391.
and fair. This fair was In 1952, the biggest In 1965, the Livestock
for the exhibition, fund- ever fifth annual event Exhibitors Banquet was
ing and sale of livestock, drew 11,000 people and held in the “new” Porter-
agriculture products, the livestock auction ville Armory. Geronimo,
RECORDER PHOTO
Fairs always afford an opportunity to get up close and personal with all sorts
handicraft and artistic grossed a new record: the county’s biggest of animals, and the Porterville Fair is no exception. This photo shows local
products, for the display $17,200. In 1955, a steer from the John youth reaching through fencing to pet baby pigs at the Porterville Fair.
of commercial exhibits, record 300 livestock en- Guthrie feed lot was on
and for other activities tries were exhibited and display, and a Recorder
customarily held at live- a colorful flower show stage was donated by the entries were broken not-for-profit organiza-
article indicates that at
stock shows and fairs. Rotary Club at a cost of down into 80 beef, tion, and receives no
was a new feature. least 300 individuals
That was how it all $2,000. The poultry ex- 214 sheep, 205 hogs, State or federal funding.
In its ninth year, the from the community
began. Since then, the hibit was eliminated that 31 dairy, 46 horses, Governed by a volun-
Porterville Fair was would donate time and
Porterville Fair has come billed as ‘the biggest year due to the threat of 25 goats and 186 rab- teer Board of Directors
work one way or another
to be cherished as an Newcastle disease. bits. This was the first originally consisting of
dollar’s worth of enter- to make that year’s event
event that celebrates our tainment in America.’ The mid 1970s saw year for paid parking, just three members, the
a reality.
ranching and farming plans for the renova- and David Frizzell and Board has slowly grown
The Flying Escalantes In 1967, the fair’s
heritage, and has offered highlighted the stage tion of the grounds and Shelly West performed to today’s 13-member
Quarter Horse Show dis-
many learning oppor- facilities at its Olive on the grandstand stage. strong working board.
show that year. played nearly 200 horses
tunities for generations Avenue location. A lease The Paul Bunyan Hotel Board members repre-
The 1957 fair saw the entered in 35 classes,
of young exhibitors and was signed with the City bought all three Grand sent the Porterville Fair
first performance of the and the Babe Ruth dunk
countless hours of fun on September 16, 1975, Champion market ani- service area from Lind-
Porterville Union High tank was a highlight at-
for thousands of visitors. School Band under and the grounds soon mals. say to Ducor and Poplar
traction.
After the second fair became a flurry of activ- The fair continued to to Springville.
the direction of Frank In 1968, the Barry Wel-
was also held at the high ‘Buck’ Shaffer perform- ity with the installation grow at the Olive Av- Currently, there are 13
don memorial was un-
school, the 1950 fair of two new livestock enue location until 2011, standing committees of
ing nightly on the stage. veiled to list the champi-
was held at the Rocky barns, remodeling of when it moved to a new the fair representing over
Also that year, 50 head on livestock exhibitors.
Hill Arena with a five- the exhibit building, 25-acre home located on 100 year round volun-
of horses participated in The general admission
day run that ended in new concessions and a Teapot Dome near the teers. Strong community
the first Porterville Fair attendance soared that
a substantial financial change in the interior Porterville Airport. support is evident, with
Arabian Show. year to 24,654.
loss. There was serious arrangement. To this day, the Porter- the addition of 200 vol-
The 1961 fair was The fair has always
discussion at that point In 1981 the fair was ville Fair is one of only unteers who partner with
themed after Porter- enjoyed strong support
about liquidating what expanded to four days a few fairs in the State the staff to produce the
ville’s centennial cel- from the community, and
fair assets had been and the livestock’s 787 of California that is a annual community fair.
ebration. Highlights in 1972 a new outdoor
Frank & Frances Nanamura established a tradition of quality and freshness which has been
carried on through the years from generation to generation. Plano Beef Jerky has been a
favorite of Porterville for over 40 years and we are still going strong!
697 S. Plano Street 764 N. Prospect Street

Porterville, CA, 93257 Porterville, CA 93257
559-781-3487 (559) 781- 6328
3450 S K St Tulare CA 93274 1915 W Olive Ave Porterville CA 93257
Tulare, CA Porterville, CA
559-687-3222 559-781-3604
Golden State
PAINT AND BODY
Golden State Paint & Body was founded in 1987 by Dennis
Watson. Dennis decided that his business was going to be
known for doing the highest quality repair work. The quality of
the repair would always come before the profit in the repair. If
he didn’t like the way something looked, it would be redone at
no charge before he would let it go.
Through years of doing top notch repairs and word of mouth
advertising, Golden State Paint & Body has grown from
1500 sq feet and 1 employee into over 60,000 sq feet and
40 employees in 2 locations. The high quality standards that
Dennis demands are stronger than ever!
• Always quality first.
• Customer service unmatched.
• Competitive prices without compromising quality.
Golden State Paint & Body offers

24hr towing, auto glass tint and
replacement, and
very high quality collision repair.
E.M. THARP, INC.
In 1935 E. M. "Gene” Tharp at age 18 put Five years later in 1966 the International In 1979 TEMCO was opened to meet
a down payment on his first truck. It was a Truck Franchise was obtained and he started our customers Financial needs. They offer
1935 International C-35 with a 35' Reliance selling new trucks. The business grew rapidly financing for contracts and leasing.
Trailer. By "horse trading" and long hours of and he had to expand the facility.
In 1993 Tharp's obtained Peterbilt Truck
hard work, his dream of a commercial hauling
In 1968 the new facility was complete. The Franchise and opened up Golden State
business of his own was realized. Gene
sales, service, and parts departments were Peterbilt in Porterville.
enjoyed the commercial hauling business and
expanded to meet the customer's needs. A
conducted it successfully for over 25 years. He In 1997 Morris Tharp bought from Mike
deeper parts inventory was gradually built
saw it grow from 1 truck into a fleet of over Tharp American Truck Parts and added used
and a paint and body shop was added.
twenty tractors, and more than a hundred parts and salvage to the operation. In the
pieces of miscellaneous equipment. In 1976 Viking Trailer Corp. was founded same year the trailer lines were expanded
and the first trailer rolled off the line in 1977. to include Landoll Trailers, Smithco Trailers
In 1961 Gene decided to do full time what
They expanded the trailer lines to include flat and Western Trailers.
he had always wanted to do "Sell and Trade".
Bed convertible doubles and Grain Hoppers.
He had a fence put up around the truck yard
Viking does custom manufacturing and
and began buying and selling used equipment.
repairs also.
In the year 2000, that little company founded in At that point they knew they had to do what
1935 had grown to nearly 250 employees and takes it took to keep the customer here and happy.
in 5 counties to its area of responsibility. It’s been a That’s why they specialize in so many different
bumpy road with lots of ups and downs along the way lines.
but E. M. Tharp, Inc. has had a lot of enjoyment and 3. They have a good understanding of their
met and made lots of good friends along the way. customer base and what they do. That
Factors that distinguished their business from allows them to service them quickly, help them
others and helped make it successful are: in being more productive and profitable.
1. Employees. Without the hard work and 4. Training. They train their employees on the
dedication of their employees they would not be latest technology and new equipment.
as large as they are today.
5. E. M. Tharp’s success depends on customer
2. A One Stop Shop. “During the beginning they satisfaction, advertising and word of
had to go out to get certain items repaired and mouth.
a customer said “I’ll just take it there myself.”
15243 Road 192 • Porterville, CA 93257 • (559) 782-5800

PAGE 10C

These bales of cotton had been baled at the Delta Cotton Gin on South E. Street. Cotton was a major crop in Tulare County, and problems arose over the fact that
the cotton pickers were paid $1 for 100 pounds of cotton and could not live on that, and the growers were not making enough money to pay more. A confronta-
tion arose in Pixley, and eight men were killed — all from the group of disgruntled cotton pickers.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS These cattle are being driven down the road in Springville near where the
Will Gill owned this steer with the strange horns. Once in 1910 he had a chance Veterans Memorial Building is now, and the house is the Charles Elster home.
to make a huge sale of his cattle, but the buyer made Will throw in this steer. Mr. Elster was a lumber man, and his son Irvy Elster lost his leg in a lumber ac-
Will always regretted making the deal, and spent many years trying to find out cident and became the Hermit at SCICON. Students visit his home when they
where the steer was in an effort to get him back. This never happened, and spend their week at the camp.
where the steer ended up was never known.
JUST A COUPLE OF HUNGRY GUYS WITH
A BIG DREAM
Owner Bob Rose Co-Founder Bruce Dean Co-Founder Bob Manley

Way back when, we were just a couple of hungry guys with a big dream. We knew folks were
VALUE THAT GETS

looking for a restaurant rooted in something authentic… something real. And while there
wasn’t much cash in our pockets, we had enough heart to cobble together our very first
restaurant.
BETTER BY THE MILE.

So, we set to preparing home-cooked meals that reflected our small-town roots. We were
used to a different kind of diner, where servers look you in the eye and smile when they take
your order. Where the food tastes a lot like your grandma’s favorite recipes. And where you
feel, every time you visit, like you’ve finally come home.
Nearly 20 years later, we’re still serving up the same genuine experience. Because at Black
OUR PROMISE INCLUDES Bear Diner, we believe that timeless values like quality and personal service are still very
much alive.
From the beautifully carved bear statue at the front entrance to the incredibly decorated interior,
PEACE OF MIND TIRE PROTECTION this Porterville Black Bear Diner location stands out in a crowd like nobody’s business. Add to
that a friendly staff and home-style food that’ll knock your socks off, and you can see why our
• If a Tire is Damaged Beyond Repair, patrons keep coming back. Jose Rios, manager back when the restaurant was Ryan’s Place,
We’ll Replace its Value. has been our manager at Black Bear Diner in Porterville for over 10 years, being awarded with
General Manager of the year and for Sales Growth his service to Black Bear and the customers
• We Guarantee Our Work for the Life is evident. He does an excellent job of making customers feel right at home.
of Your Tires. Our Menu always features local stories and our customers love coming in and seeing stories
and pictures of either themselves, relatives or someone they know. If you’re ready for a great
• Free Pre-Trip Safety Checks meal, in a comfortable home like setting, you should treat yourself and stop on by and bring
your appetite. We’ll set an extra plate.
FREE LIFETIME TIRE & MILEAGE CARE

• Flat Tire Repairs
• Tire Rotations & Rebalancing
• Tire Pressure Checks
• Brake & Alignment Checks
PORTERVILLE • 640 S. Jaye St. • 559-788-2708

PROUD TO SERVE PORTERVILLE
AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY 910 W Olive Ave, Porterville, CA 93257 • (559) 784-3648
PAGE 11C
A Place CalledTHE PORTERVILLE RECORDER THURSDAY, Feb. 28, 2019
Packing houses: from local groves to the market
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Wooden boxes and no light were how oranges were packed in area packing houses in the early days.
first whole carload of
G
RECORDER STAFF
oranges was shipped
by the Porterville Fruit
rain and
Exchange. It consisted
cattle were
of 289 boxes of Navel
the earliest
oranges and 155 boxes
agricultural endeavors
of seedlings, and was
in the Porterville area,
consigned to Eveleth
but they have long
and Nash of San Fran-
since been overtaken
cisco. The fruit was
by the booming citrus
said to be well-colored
industry. The warmer
and should realize top
climate just above the
prices.
eastern valley floor
The article also
proved to be an ideal
said that picking and
place for growing
packing of oranges is
citrus fruit, and Porter-
affording lots of work
ville is roughly in the
for young girls and
center of this “Orange
young men in Por-
Belt.”
terville — 98 being
According to a mas-
currently employed
ter’s thesis written by
by the different pack-
local teacher Harlan CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS
ing houses. It keeps Labor was a problem in the early days, and most of the labor was supplied by local families. Citrus was
Hawkins, the first Cen-
them out of mischief packed by hand in those days, and these ladies lived in Porterville and are packing oranges to assist the
tral California Citrus
and gives them spend- packing house and make a little money at the same time. All of the packed oranges were wrapped in pa-
Fair was held in Por-
ing money, the article per.
terville in 1892, and a
continued, and pre- 1902 and 1912, when to grade and package packing citrus in Por- California in the
display of Porterville
dicted in conclusion growers learned valu- citrus fruit. Employed terville in 1946. early days. Most were
oranges was included
that the citrus industry able lessons about in the county were The Tule River owned by individuals
at the California State
will “cut an important finding warmer areas 2,000 graders, packers, Citrus Association was or families and would
Citrus Fair held in San
figure here in a few and about soil depth, truckers, box makers, formed in 1906 when only be open for a
Francisco in 1893.
years.” drainage and irriga- machinists and about a group of growers short time during the
However, Porterville
The arrival of the tion. 2,000 more pickers to met at the old Orange year. The packing was
still had to compete
first train in Porterville A 1956 Fresno Bee harvest the fruit. School. It was formed done by hand, and
with the Southern
in 1888 brightened the article said that men One of the early to prepare the mem- each piece of fruit
California citrus indus-
picture for the indus- of vision began to packing houses was bers’ fruit for market was wrapped in tissue
try, which had fewer
try because it allowed form private irrigation the Sibley Packing by washing, grading, paper and placed in a
problems with frost,
for easier shipment companies in the late House on the west packing and shipping. wooden crate. In the
a larger market, and
of fruit to markets on 1890s to supply river side of the Southern Sunkist Inc., in a 1920s there were 200
better transportation at
the East Coast. The water to their orchards. Pacific railroad tracks 100-year sketch of packing house asso-
that time.
momentum of Porter- By 1926, Tulare Coun- south of Olive Avenue. the grower coopera- ciations in the Sunk-
According to a No-
ville’s fledgling citrus ty required 60 packing This house was torn tive, said there were ist network; by 1992,
vember 1895 news-
industry was slowed houses equipped with down by Baird-Neese, hundreds of packing there were only 66.
paper clipping, the
by hard freezes in modern machinery a company that began houses throughout
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Packing houses were constructed next to railroad tracks for efficient transportation.
PAGE 12C

If you were living in 1902 in the Mountain Home
area on the Frazier Grade, you would be looking at
Charlie Nesbitt’s mule team hauling a load of lum-
ber to Springville. In Springville, the lumber was of-
ten reloaded to a larger wagon then several of the
wagons were hooked together and taken down the
hill to Porterville.

In 1920 this was the road out of town going north. The trees are called Grevilla
Oaks. A lot of the Grevilla Oaks were planted on the present day Plano. In fact,
the street was called Grevilla Street until the widening of the street and then
the name was changed to Plano Street.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS

The harvester crews started their harvest right after the Fourth of July Celebra- In 1955 people could back their car or pickup into the hollow log at Balch Park.
tion. In this picture the Kramer family in Ducor have their flag ready to go on Guy and Gwenn Edwards are seen here on the front of the pickup. Today the log
their harvester and hope it and others will be on the harvester when the season has sunk into the around ground and there is not room for a car or pickup, and
is done. This picture was taken prior to World War I in Ducor. there is a barrier around the tree.

After the great depression of 1929, CCC Camps were set up around the country. This picture was used in an advertisement for Porterville. It shows the size and
This was the California Conservation Camp and was located three miles above quality of the agricultural products that can be raised in Porterville. Though
Springville on the same site as the old Club House was located from 1895 to the proportions in the photo are greatly distorted, it did attract attention. How
1914. Then the Club House was abandoned and the members moved to become about the size of that hog? There was a series of these pictures that exagger-
Doyle Springs at Camp Wishon. ated the real.
A Place Called
THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER PAGE 13C

In 1910 this was Strathmore’s parade float in the
Lindsay Orange Blossom Festival. The entire “orange
belt” was thriving at the time and looking forward
to future growth.

In the early 1900s, the Menne family of Ducor ex-
perimented with Sudan Grass as a food supplement
to the cattle and sheep. The experiment was a suc-
cess, but the grass had to be watered, and because
of lack of water it never became a popular crop. Du-
cor was a wheat area that was mostly dry farmed.
Sometimes the crops were good, other times they
were not, depending on quantity and timing of
rainfall. In the picture, Mr. and Mrs. Menne are seen
with the Sudan Grass, and growth was good.

The good old days were not all good. Here, a
12-year-old boy is working the horse and riding a
float to level the ground. Boys had to work in the
old days to help support the family. The horses
would be harnessed by the boy’s father, as the col-
lar was heavy and the horses were too tall for many
youngsters, but the boy hitched the horses once
they were harnessed. Al Hilton of Porterville drove a
wagon loaded with grain and pulled by four horses.
To go to town they had a fast running team, and
they were always ready to go. Al’s brother Frank
was the driver, and once Al hitched the last tug to
the single tree the horses would start running. If Al
didn’t catch the back of the wagon and swing him-
self up on the back, he was left home.

In the old days it was horses, horses and more
horses.Thirty-two horses were on the harvester and
four were on the wagon that picked up the sacks.
The sack sower would put five sacks of wheat on
the chute and then throw one more on when he
released the chute, and the wagon would pick them
up. If the sack sower did not like the pickup man, he
might grease the ears of the sack or tie two of them
together.
These men were poor

hillside farmers, and
they did not have a der-
rick to make a large hay-
stack or a baler to bale
the hay. They stacked
the hay as high as they
could from the wagon,
and that is the reason
for the peaked hay-
stacks. There was one
advantage, in that they
could put a fence around
the haystacks and then
in winter they would
remove the fence and
the cattle would feed
themselves.
PAGE 14C
Setton Farms: growing on a foundation of care
S
By ALEXIS ESPINOZA
etton Farms
had humble
beginnings in
New York when two
brothers, Joshua and
Morris Setton, began
selling dried fruit and
nuts.
The brothers dreamt
of expanding their
business and saw
California emerg-
ing as a leader in the
pistachio industry, so
they quickly invested
in this area. In the
1980s, the brothers
began growing pis-
tachios. In this same
decade, specifically
1986, the first Setton
processing plant was
purchased in Madera.
Joshua and Morris
came to California
with no pistachio
trees, and knew that
to be successful in CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
the region they would From left: Lee Cohen (General Manager), Mia Cohen (COO), Joshua Setton (CEO), Joseph Setton (VP Domestic Sales), Morris Setton (Ex-
need to buy their ecutive Vice President)
own trees. So that is
exactly what they did.
with a third genera-
From there, the Set-
tion in the future.
ton Farms business
The company isn’t
took off with flying
just building towards
colors.
the family’s future.
The Setton broth-
Their employee’s
ers knew that expan-
and the community’s
sion was needed for
future matter greatly
their company, so
to Setton Farms too.
in 1995 their com-
The company views
pany grew to their
their employees as
present location in
an extension of their
Terra Bella. When
family, and work
the pistachio plant
towards building a
opened, the company
better future for ev-
could service roughly
eryone.
8 million pounds of
Their employees
pistachios. Today,
and the community
the plant can service
matter a great deal
around 170 million
to Setton Farms, as
pounds of pistachios.
does the land they
Setton Farms prides
grow on, the pista-
themselves on being
chios they pick, the
a family business,
industry they work in,
with a second genera-
and the processes that Joshua Setton (left) and Morris Setton (right) in their Brooklyn bakery in 1961.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
tion already in place
occur in their own
overseeing the Terra
facilities. towards a positive over the years. company’s views good every day, and
Bella facility, and are
Setton Farms is future, and aim for Mia Cohen, Setton perfectly when she everything we do has
hoping to keep the
always working systematic growth Farms COO, put the said, “We have to do to be for good.”
family tradition alive
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The Setton Farms pistachio processing plant in Terra Bella is the second-largest in the United States and employs over 700 local full-time workers.
A Place CalledTHE PORTERVILLE RECORDER PAGE 15C
The curious story of Luciano Reavis

Migrant present day Bartlett Jimenez sold his
Park, and was called home, Reavis moved
laborer Chico Flat after into the Paul Sigala
known for Chico Mountain. home until it too was
his physical Once the railroad sold, then Manuel
strength, was finished, Reavis Sigala took care of
got a job working him. He was now an
healing for Clinton T. Brown old man and suffered
abilities on his dairy at the from dementia, and
foot of Signal Hill. was later put in a
By RECORDER STAFF Today, the Golden rest home in Han-
Hills Mobile Home ford.
L
Park is on the site. At the age of
Brown died in 102, Reavis got into
uciano Reavis 1917, and his son a fight in the rest
was an inter- Jay Brown took over home and killed an
esting charac- the dairy. Jay Brown 87-year-old patient
ter in Porterville in would later become by beating him with
the early 20th cen- a county supervisor a shoe. Even at that
tury. He was born in and donated the land age, he was still
Mexico in 1870, and for the new Porter- quite strong.
was known for his ville College. During the trial,
physical strength. When the dairy the judge did not
In 1911, workers closed in the 1920s, know what to do
were needed by the Reavis became a with a 102-year-old
railroad, and many bag man and roamed killer, so he sent him
Mexican families the alleys of Porter- to a road camp in
moved to the United ville. He allegedly Bakersfield, where
States. Reavis took possessed healing he raised vegetables
advantage of the powers, and healed for the camp until
relaxed immigration one of the Jimenez he died at age 106 in
laws and came to family members. 1975.
Porterville because Charles Jimenez The life of Reavis
construction was un- allowed Reavis to was remembered for
derway on the Por- live free of charge some time by cer-
terville Northeastern with the family. For tain members of the
Railroad connecting the next 25 years, Mexican community
to Springville, and Reavis would con- in Porterville, mostly
the majority of the tinue to roam Por- for the good things
workers were Mexi- terville alleys and he did for his fellow
cans. help people with his Mexicans.
Their railroad medicinal powers.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO camp was below the When Charles
In this image of unknown date, Luciano Reavis (right) stands next to an uniden-
tified woman.
A Place Called
What’s
In A
Name?
A Place Called
PAGE 2D THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER THURSDAY, Feb. 28, 2019
By any other name
A name is a very important asset. It

is the word (or words) by which
a person, place or thing will be
known for the duration of its existence and
beyond.
So it is only human nature to be curi-
ous about the origin of the names that we
use regularly. In pursuing these answers,
inquiring minds feel like they know a bit
more about where the things they refer to
by name come from, and in the process
learn more about their community as well.
The ‘What’s in a Name?’ section of ‘A
Place Called Home’ explores the origins
of some of the monikers familiar to Porter-
ville residents.
How did Porterville get its name? How
about Springville? Did you know that
Murry Park wasn’t always called Murry
Park? Ever heard of the community of
Daunt? Who put the ‘Nelson’ in Camp
Nelson?
The answers to these questions and
more is waiting inside...
A Place Called

The Paul Bunyan carving is now back in Three Rivers where
it was sculptured by Carroll Barnes. Mr. Barnes sold the
carving to Jack Anglin of Porterville and he named his mo-
tel the Paul Bunyan after the carving. The motel was sold
and the name changed. The owner didn't want the statue
and the statue was returned to its origin.
Anyone can sell chocolate. Few can make a difference while doing it.
114 N. MAIN STREET, PORTERVILLE, CA 93257 | 559-784-6640 | www.staffordschocolates.com
Myers
Funeral Service
and Crematory
Frank and Eunice Myers established
Myers Chapel in 1944, with nineteen
years of experience in the funeral
industry. They were dedicated
to the belief that ALL people,
regardless of social, ethnic or
economic circumstances, were to
be treated with the same dignity
and compassion as a member
of their own family. Through four
generations, over 75 years, the
Myers Family and staff have stayed
committed to that same belief.
Betty and Alson Wise, the daughter and

son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Myers, joined
Myers Funeral Service in 1948. Growing
up around and working at Myers Chapel,
their children, Alson “Mike” Wise Jr.
and Nancy Wise Hutton, became very
familiar with all aspects of the business.
In March of 1981 Mrs. Eunice Myers
passed away. Very shortly thereafter,
in December of 1981, Alson Wise Sr.
passed away, followed soon after by the
passing of Betty Wise, in November of
1982. With these untimely deaths, Myers Funeral Service was passed on to Mike and Nancy.
Alson “Mike” Wise Jr.’s son, Jason Wise, also grew up learning the business and proudly joined
the family business as Vice President/CFO in 2014. Together, as a family, they oversee the
continuation of the Myers tradition.
When the crematory was added in 1984, it was the only c

crematory in operation and is now
the longest operating crematory
in the Porterville area. Myers has
always been a leader in the funeral
industry, setting standards others
strive to achieve – from being
one of the first funeral homes to
transport remains by commercial
air carriers to operating their own
airplane, to managing their own
crematory. From old buildings
to new buildings, such as the
reception hall (previously known as the

Porterville Women’s Club building); From
old traditions to new traditions, such
as the Myers Christmas Memorial Tree
service established in 1995, through four
generations of Myers Family, one thing
remains the same…their dedication to
serve the community with compassion,
dignity and exceptional service.
248 N. “E” Street | Porterville, California 93257

Phone: (559) 784-5454 | Fax: (559) 784-5871
License #: FD-713
A Place Called
PAGE 4D THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER THURSDAY, Feb. 28, 2019
Porter Putnam: A man with vision

About May 1, 1860, cold night in Janu-
P
By ALEXIS ESPINOZA
Porter Putnam moved ary when the river
orter Putnam, his livestock operation overflowed its banks
Porterville’s to the Tule River and and broke through the
founder, has been opened a ‘trading place’ countryside, developing
described as “handsome at Goodhue’s Crossing, a new river bed. When
and of medium size, on the Tule River. To- the floodwaters subsid-
with dark wavy hair day, this is in the area ed, the Tule River had
and eyes that were no- of the railroad tracks on permanently changed
ticeably fine and large.” Henderson Ave. above its course and was
He had a mustache that Zalud Park. flowing a mile south of
was trimmed rather Despite the rough its original river bed.
short, and he moved country and cold That river bed still ex-
very quickly. He was a scribed the journey weather, Putnam came ists today.
man who preferred to as follows: “Country to view the site as an Putnam was con-
always stay busy, and damned rough. Weather ideal location for a vinced the river would
stay busy he did. very cold. Stage riding town. It was located on not resume its original
Putnam travelled is disagreeable. Plenty California’s main north- course. In 1863, he
most of his early years, of whiskey aboard, a south route on the east bought 40 acres from
having been born in jolly set...My first night side of the Valley. In Peter Goodhue “to
Pennsylvania, and he camping on the cold, the 1860’s, more than layout a town” and
first traveled by the damp ground came aw- 10,000 people a year constructed a large two-
Tule River on Decem- ful hard to me, but a passed through on the story building under
ber 7, 1858, on his way very little sleep did I immigrant trail. some large oak trees.
from the Kern River get that night. I thought “Water was in such The rough batten
Station near Bakersfield during the night I could demand by travelers board structure was
to Visalia. never get used to that that the Tule River be- typical of this time,
During his travels kind of fare. Always came a stopping place,” with the downstairs IMAGE CONTRIBUTED BY JEFF EDWARDS
he kept a journal of lived in a country that said Jeff Edwards, own- divided into a store on This map is of the 40 acres that Porter Putnam
his experiences, and afforded a little more er of Edwards Antiques one side and a saloon bought from Peter Goodhue in 1861. The top of the
an entry that time de- convenience.” & Gallery and local and eating place on the map is west, and the bottom east. In 1864, Putnam
historian. other side. There were had the 40 acres surveyed by Johnny Meckley, who
During the winter of rooms upstairs in which later became stage agent at Fountain Springs.
1861-1862, it rained for to live and to rent out
weeks. That winter was to travelers for sleeping
the wettest ever known, accommodations. migrant Trail and for and extensive stock of
with over 20 inches of Putnam’s living those staying at Por- goods” in his store.
rain. The entire valley quarters were built in ter’s. By the early 1870’s,
was flooded. Willows, the back of the build- Prospects of gold in Putnam was offering
brush, timber and de- ing. The store, called the Tule River brought free lots in his town.
bris piled up in the flat- “Porter’s Tule River Putnam a steady flow When nobody would
land, blocking the river House”, was located of money, as he sold put their house in the
channel. The Tule River on the northeast cor- meals for $1 and drinks old river bed, Putnam
originally followed the ner of Oak and Main of whiskey for 25 cents. put his own house there
course of the present- Street and was on the “This county has im- in about 1888. It took
proved very much since the arrival of the rail-
The Porterville Hotel was the first building built day Porter Slough, but Overland Stage Route
on Main Street in Porterville. It was located on the turned north at Third between San Francisco January ‘59,” he wrote. road that same year to
northeast corner of Main Street and Oak Avenue. Street and angled to- and Los Angeles. “One would hardly transform Porterville
Porter Putnam built the hotel shortly after the big ward Main Street as it Public corrals and a believe how fast the into a boom town.
flood of 1862 that changed the course of the Tule made its way toward livery stable were es- county is settling up.” He rallied for the
River. Porter Putnam bought 40 acres of swamp Henderson Avenue. tablished across from Putnam left for New Southern Pacific Rail-
land river land from Peter Goodhue. When the river Henderson formed the Oak Street to provide York in 1864 to marry road Company to make
changed its course Putnam had 40 acres of useable north bank of the river. traveling conveniences his wife, Mary Pack- a home in Porterville,
land. Disaster struck one for those along the Im- ard, but kept what was
said to be “an excellent See Page 7D
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573 W. PUTNAM AVE., PORTERVILLE, CA 93257
SE HABLA ESPAÑOL
O.L.A. RAZA, Inc.
Making the
Legal System
Accessible to the
Spanish Speaking
and New Immigrants
The Organization for the Legal Advancement of Raza, Inc. is best

known in our community as OLA Raza. The organization was founded
in 1974 at U.C. Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco by a
group of Chicano Law Students, including Porterville’s Roberto and
Teresa de la Rosa. OLA Raza’s mission is rather simple: to provide Roberto de la Rosa,
Executive Director: Recipient of
legal information, education and services to disadvantaged students 1993 Tulare County Bar
and poor communities. Association Liberty Bell Award.
During its first decade of service, OLA Raza increased the number of
Public Interest Law Attorneys by assisting thousands of Law School
applicants in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Washington and
Colorado gain admission to law schools by preparing them for the
Law School Admission Test and by providing them with a Summer
Legal Studies Institute. OLA Raza Law Graduates participated in its
Bar Exam Preparation and New Attorney Placement Project.
In 1978 OLA Raza launched its Community Preventive Legal Education

Program as a grantee of the Legal Services Corporation, Washington,
D.C. It has provided consultant services for LSC programs in Teresa de la Rosa,
Director of Advocacy.
California, New Mexico, Colorado, Georgia and New York. In response Recipient of the OHTLI Award, It is the highest
honor the Mexican Government bestows upon
to the need for reliable information, OLA Raza began broadcasting those who promote welfare of Mexican-origin
immigration information under its Legal Service Corporation grant in populations outside of Mexico. May 2006
1978. Roberto de la Rosa continues to be a weekly guest in Radio
Campesina’s “Martes de Inmigracion” which is broadcast by satellite
large audiences in California, Arizona, Nevada, State of Washington
and Mexico.
For over 43 year OLA Raza’s Immigrants Rights Centers have assisted
families attain the American dream of becoming eligible for United Tulare County Civic Action League Delegates
delivering 71,000 petitions for the extension of
States Citizenship. The organization operates a Women’s and Families Section 245i to Congressman Xavier Becerra in
Defense Project (VAWA/U-Visa), a Migrant/Rural Leadership Project Washington, D.C. September 1997.
and a Social Justice Institute that operate from Porterville.
OLA Raza is an affiliate member of CLINIC (Catholic Legal Immigration

Network), the National Lawyers Guild, National Immigration Project,
and collaborates with the United Farm Workers of America, California
Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA), Central California Legal Services
(CCLS), Immigrant Legal Resource Center, the Center for Migration
Studies, the National Immigration Forum, UC Santa Cruz Latin
American and Latino Studies Department Summer Institute and the
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. OLA Raza Staff
December 2018
Its Executive Director, Roberto de la Rosa and its Director of Advocacy,
Teresa de la Rosa welcome invitations to deliver immigration and
citizenship information to churches, schools or colleges, clubs and
parents groups.
O.L.A. Raza, Inc. operates Immigrants Rights Centers in: Porterville,

Visalia, Tulare, Bakersfield, Delano and Salinas, California. It offers
youth art and culture events at it’s Academia Juvenil de Arte y Cultura
OLA Raza Staff at 2017 PuebloFest booth
(A.J.A.C.) at the CHMA Community Center in Porterville, California with former NASA astronaut,
and at Veritas Art Center in Lindsay, California. engineer Jose Moreno Hernandez.
ORGANIZATION FOR THE LEGAL ADVANCEMENT OF RAZA, INC.
O.L.A. RAZA, INC.

180 NORTH MAIN STREET • PORTERVILLE, CA 93257 • 559-784-1121
-1121
COMISION HONORIFICA
MEXICANA AMERICANA, INC.
(CHMA)
CHMA is a California 501-C3 Non-Profit Community Organization.
CHMA Proudly Celebrates its
92 Year of Cinco De Mayo Fiestas
nd
in Porterville, CA
FIESTAS
Preserving our Cultural Heritage, Promoting Cultural Diversity,
Equality and Racial Harmony
Cinco de Mayo 2019 16 de Septiembre 2019

* Weds/Miercoles May 01 Pagent/Certamen * Sun/Domingo Sep 15
* Fri/ Viernes May 03 Dia del Nino * “Grito” Ceremony
* Sat/Sabado May 04 Parade/Desfile * Dinner /Cena
* Sun/Domingo May 05 Park Fiesta * Arte Exhibit
CHMA Community Center

466 Putnam Avenue, Porterville, California
Posada 2019
Sat/Sabado Dec 14
* Nacimientos
Dia de Muertos 2019 * Tamales/Posole
Sat/Sabado Nov 02 * Raffles /Regalos
* Altares * Ballet Folklorico * FREE/GRATIS
* Danza Azteca * Dinner /Cena (OLA Raza Event)
A Place Called THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER PAGE 7D
From Page 4D the railroad remained formed and old ones ex- ing for booze had little companies, as pneumonia and Third Street, where
for without it he feared in Porterville, and from panded. Professions such trouble quenching their took his life in 1889, after he was planning to build
that Porterville would it followed the Pioneer as bartending and prosti- thirst in one of Porter- he was caught in the rain a two and a half story
be wiped off of the map. Land Company. tution also flourished as ville’s saloons. while moving a young brick building. At his
Putnam gave much Wooden buildings were Porterville became known Unfortunately, Put- lemon tree from his first time of death, his estate
credit to John B. Hockett replaced by brick build- as a wild saloon town. nam did not live to see home to a lot on the was valued at more than
for saving the city from ings; new businesses were Cowpokes with a hanker- the development of the southeast corner of Mill $250,000.
its “death” by seeing that
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THURSDAY, Feb. 28, 2019 THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER PAGE 9D
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF
EDWARDS
Even though the Porter-
ville High School started
in the Morton Street
Grammar School, the
granite El Granito was
the first high school
building in Porterville.
The first high school
class was in the Morton
Street Grammar School
in 1896 and there was
one graduate and that was a girl named Frankie Flint. The new Porterville High
School was built in 1923 and the El Granito became Belleview Grammar School.
The 1952 Earthquake damaged the building.

EDWARDS
This was California Hot
Springs in 1906. It was
taken in front of the La
Venda Hotel at California
Hot Springs. The old car
was hauled to California
Hot Springs on a wagon
pulled by horses and be-
longed to H.J. Williams.
The ladies seem pretty
relaxed with their cub
bear as their driver.

EDWARDS
Eschol “Bill” Hammond
took this picture of the
rebuilding of the Main
Street Bridge that goes
over the Porter Slough
in 1918. The slough goes
under part of the old
Penny’s Store.

EDWARDS
Most people have never
heard of Burbank Park
but that was the name
of Murry Park before
1911 when the name
was changed to Murry
Park. Those days there
was a bridge to the is-
land in the middle of the
pond. They also had row
boats you could rent.
Porterville has always been a place called

home for Carroll’s Tire Warehouse!
It all started in 1974 when Randall Carroll After 42 years in business Carroll’s Tire
and his high school friend, Kevin Burford Warehouse has 9 stores: including two stores
started selling used tires out of his truck. They in Porterville – Visalia – Tulare – Hanford -
would recycle used tires found at dumpsites. Delano and three stores Bakersfield.
After a process called recapping them they It’s all been possible because Carroll’s Tire
would sell them at swap meets up and down Warehouse believes in customer service. It’s
the Central Valley. It didn’t take long before the foundation of our business. We appreciate
1990 Randall realized that selling tires could be a every one of our customers and major tire
good business! suppliers because you have helped make our
In 1977 Randall sold his 1965 Corvette to success!
make a down payment on the property located Carroll’s Tire Warehouse will always guarantee
on North Grand Avenue and Hwy 65. He every day low prices on thousands of name
put out a sign that said “Carroll’s Tire brand tires and wheels, custom lowering kits
Warehouse - Now Open” and the - suspension lift kits and complete auto care
2014 rest is history! services to keep your vehicles safe for you and
your families!
In 2006 CTW was
recognized as the 39th We invite you to visit our website at:
largest independent tire carrollstire.com or simply stop by and say hello
dealer in the United States. at the place we call home in Porterville USA.
Kevin Burford aka “Tireman” 1977

1974
ll
Randall Carro Kevin Burford an
d Randall Carroll
2018
Randall & Susie Carroll
Customer Appreciation sale
1995
9 Valley Locations
Porterville:
Corner of 65 & North Grand • (559) 781-5040
677 South Plano • (559) 266-5040
TOWN & COUNTRY MARKET
Your Local Independent Grocer
1950’s
1970’s
Since 1953 the Wong family has been serving the

Porterville area. Through the years Town & Country
Market has become a staple of the community,
giving back for over 65 years.
1310 W. Olive Ave., Porterville

(559) 784-6431
The Founding of Daunt and Springville

Contributed from Tule River (Rio deBalch Park Road, and
articles written in the
1990 Springville raised four sons and
San Pedro) from the
T
Centennial a daughter. Accord-
shores of Tulare Lake
ing to records, the
to the foothills. In the
he Crabtree Stage Stop-Grocery
1860’s the Tule River
Family origi- basin was increas-Store and Bar was
nally came ingly developed bybuilt on land owned
from Brownsville, by Louis Weber, Mrs.
settlers, lumbermen,
Texas but genera- Daunt’s son, and was
and cattle ranchers,
tions of the Crabtrees now that the Yau- operated long before
settled between 1856 Daunt purchased the
danchi Indians, a sub-
to 1864 on 160 acres property.
tribe of the Yokuts,
where Springville is were driven higher The only stop
located. between Fraser and
into the mountains or
The family house Cramer, it quickly be-
were relocated to a
was where the old came a popular stage-
reservation southeast
gas station is now, coach stop, where
of Porterville by the
and John Crabtree, cattlemen, sheepmen,
settlers and military.
the family patriarch,
Daunt
lumbermen, wagon
built the house around CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS team drivers and
a soda spring, which This is Springville at the time of World War I. As you can tell by the cars on the
One of the first stage coach riders
they used to make lem- street and the power poles. The big feature in those days was the Soda Spring Anglo-Americans could pick up grocer-
onade. The house had and people flocked to Springville by train and cars for weekend jaunt.
living in the area ies, feed, supplies and
Three main buildings in town were the WIlkerson Hotel on the left and the El-
a wide veranda, and ster Building and Livery Stable on the right. of Springville was have a drink or two.
when John was old he William Daunt, who Avon Coburn also
liked to sit there. Springville, where powered metal and Cattle were in- built a house, a bar grew up in Cramer. In
The Jordan Trail the Crabtrees and the wood lathes, drills troduced to Tulare and a store in the 1883 he started a mill
was started in 1861, Osborns had their and grinders, and County in the 1830s, area just north of the in Upper Bear Creek
one year before the homesteads. other tools he made. but sawmills were Springville Rodeo and in 1889 bought
Hockett trail. John Much older Indian He used water power already at the head of grounds, where a 20 acres from John
Jordan obtained trails threaded their to run some of the the Tule River from stone chimney marks Crabtree, and laid out
permission to build way through Kern machines, and made 1869 - 1884. By the the site. The area was the town of Spring-
a trail from Yokhol and Tule Canyons most of the metal late 19th century, known as Daunt until ville. In 1890 he built
across the moun- as the Owens Valley implements and ma- someone planted around 1890, when a box factory at Soda
tains and the Kern Indians (Shoshone) chinery used by his orange groves along it began to be called Springs and Daunt’s
river into Nevada, carried their com- family and other peo- the western slope of Soda Spring for the daughter married
and was successful merce to the Yokuts ple, including guns, the Sierra Nevada effervescent spring him. In 1897 the post
until he reached the of the San Joaquin. rifles, and pistols. He mountains, and the on the southeast bank office was moved to
Kern river. Cross- John’s son, Wil- and his wife Tempe oranges thrived. The of the Tule River Coburn’s store on
ing the river on a liam “Newt” Crabtree retired in 1908. fruit was superior in one mile northeast Main Street.
raft, he drowned, and settled a 160 acre There was a Por- quality, and it ripened of Daunt’s store. In The post office
his body was never tract of land in the terville Northeastern earlier than Southern the late 1870’s and remained Daunt until
found. The Jordan lower Globe Drive Springville in 1911, California oranges. 1880’s Daunt’s store January 24, 1911,
name is well-known area in 1875. He and traces of tracks The Springville was one of the busi- when it officially be-
in local history, with built a family cem- were still evident Board of Trade, along est crossroads on the came Springville, like
the Jordan Trail, Jor- etery there on a knoll in 1990 along Tule with the Tulare Board Tule River. The river the town.
dan Peak, and Jordan behind the family River Drive. The of Trade, placed ex- flattened out nearby, The Daunt Chim-
Hot Springs. home. It is still there, building was moved hibits at the New Or- and it was the best ney marks the site
There was a trail fence and all. to Soda Springs in leans World’s Exposi- place for wagons to of William Daunt’s
that followed down He had a machine the early 1940s, with tion in 1884, winning cross. It became a store, post office, and
to the present site of shop with foot- the top removed. the gold medal. At junction for traffic bar. It is located on
the Paris Exposition, on both sides of the the west side of High-
the oranges took first river. A post office way 190, just north
prize. was established in the of the present rodeo
In 1806 Spanish store in 1886. grounds, and is the
Lieutenant Gabriel Daunt grew up in site of the Springville
Moraga, explored the Cramer, which is now Historical Museum.

These men are pioneers of the Springville area. From left: Frank Negas, Joe Mc-
Donald, Art Griswold, George Haigh and Bill Radeleff.
This building housed people with tuberculosis in the Springville Hospital. It was
designed by Julia Morgan, an architect who later worked for William Randolph
Hearst. It was Julia who designed the landscaping at Hearst Castle in San Sim-
eon, California.

Gifford’s Market was the hub of Springville in 1950. It was owned and ran by CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS
Monty and Elsie Gifford and they lived above the store. It used to be the old liv- This is the depot in Springville and was erected in 1911 and it lasted until 1941.
ery stable. The large building on the right of the picture was the Elster Building Some of the iron was used in World War II. The depot was moved to the Soda
that was built in 1912 and the tall palm trees were in front of the Springville Spring Inn and became a restaurant, and when the restaurant closed it became
Hotel. Only the Elster Building remains today. a private home.
PAGE 12D
A Place Called
THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER THURSDAY, Feb. 28, 2019
Camp Nelson became popular escape from Valley heat
J
By JAMIE A. HUNT
Camp Nelson had be- cabins began.
come a popular vaca- In 1922 the narrow
ohn Milton Nel- tion spot to escape the one-way road was
son, the founder bad air and unbearably extended beyond the
and developer of hot valley summers. forks, but had to be
Camp Nelson, was a Vacationers had to controlled to prevent
resourceful and indus- ride horseback or walk car accidents.
trious man with a lot trails most of the way In 1927 the Camp
of foresight. from Springville, and Nelson lodge burned,
Nelson first saw the had to ford the Tule and was rebuilt be-
valley and bench land River 18 times to tween 1928 and 1932
from the Jordan trail, reach the settlement. by William Nelson
and filed to homestead Nelson and Carmel Smith, grandson of
what is now Camp Wilson built a pack John M. Nelson.
Nelson some time station in the late Don Dorey, a mem-
between 1885 – 1890. 1890’s about four ber of the old Dorey
Nelson built a split miles above Spring- family, has lived
shake cabin, brought ville, where customers with his wife, Peg,
his daughters and fam- parked their buggies as full-time residents
ily, and settled in the and wagons, while of Camp Nelson for
mountains surrounded they packed into the many years. He said
by Sequoias and Pon- mountains, often stop- they are possibly
derosa pines.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
ping at Camp Nelson. the longest full-time “The man who built A gathering at Don Nelson's cabin in 1910.
Nelson was a mill- Camp Nelson Lodge residents, since they their cabin was Mar-
wright, and built the was a large split log raised all their chil- ion Deats. My father
Illinois Mill on a cabin built between dren at Nelson. drove us up in the
creek, eight miles east 1904 and 1905. The “I’ve been a native Hudson Terraplane,
of Visalia. second lodge was of Nelson from 1927, all seven kids in our
From 1859 to 1862 added to it in 1915, when I was seven family. It was a big car
there was a rush on with a separate kitchen years old, and my Dad in those days, but our
silver and gold in the and large vegetable had the cabin built. family always had the
Owens Valley, and garden. I remember helping biggest car we could
miners had to travel He added a small Charlie Smith and buy,” he continued.
through Visalia to buy supply store for visi- Emma Nelson Smith, “Before the cabin in
supplies on their way tors, and other fami- the daughter of John Camp Nelson, my fa-
to Owens Lake in the lies began building M. Nelson. I used to ther drove a horse and
Coso mountains and their own cabins. Then light 20 or so Coleman buggy from Lindsay
north in Mono. Nelson he built a sawmill on lanterns in the lodge, up to Camp Wishon,
built the first flour mill the creek below the before there was where we would camp
in the Owens Valley lodge, and construc- electric power,” said for the summer in a
on Bishop Creek. tion of conventional Dorey. tent cabin with four
By the mid-1890s, foot high wooden
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
John Nelson (center), Emma Nelson Smith, and Nel-
son Smith
walls, and three camp there until the

rooms; sleepingrooms early 19th century.
on either side of the My grandfather, Jo-
kitchen. seph Duncan, home-
“My mother, when steaded on the Bear
she was a child went Creek road in the late
with her family up to 1800s.”
Balch Park to Shake Camp Nelson lodge
Camp. They camped ownership transferred
there every summer from Emma and
when there was log- Charlie Smith between
ging. They traveled the late 1930’s and
by horse and buggy 1940’s, to William
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
and horseback. The Nelson Smith, who
s photo of unknown date taken by Hammonds Studio of Porterville for a postcard shows the Camp Nel-
n store in early years.
loggers had a large later sold it.

EDWARDS
In 1895 a move was
made to have the
southeast part of Tulare
County to become Put-
nam County. There was
a Porterville City Band
and they had Putnam
Country Band painted
on their bass drum.
This picture was taken
in front of the Zalud
House.

The Porterville City Library was constructed in 1904 with a grant from the An-
drew Carnegie Foundation. It was located where the City Hall is today. It served
the community until 1949 when it needed repair and was torn down for salvage
by Matt Bakach.

EDWARDS
This view of the Porter-
ville Cemetery was tak-
en in 1917 and the man
is Gerald Lumley.

This is the Putnam Street School. It existed from about 1902 to 1917 when the
Santa Fe Railroad came to Porterville. Both Putnam Street School and the Mill
Street School were in the right-of-way of the railroad. Putnam Street School
lasted as the Roche Avenue School from 1917 to 1950 when it was replaced
by the present day Roche Avenue School. The Mill Street School was the first
school in Porterville and belfrey can be seen on the left side of the picture. It
was moved into the country on a ranch and eventually burned.
Cedar Slope, now the The Wellsville Saloon
L
By JAMIE A. HUNT
could get soda pop
there. She said it was a
es Bailey family oriented place,
started Cedar and they had a mini
Slope in the bowling alley. “It was
late 1940’s according a lot of fun and great
to Bill Roberts, who memories for a little
remembers walking kid from the San Fer-
up to the lodge from nando Valley.”
Camp Nelson to buy Cedar Slope burnt
ice cream sandwiches, down to the ground in
“that was our big at- the late 1960’s or early
traction.” He said that 70’s, according to Rob-
Bailey, who he and his erts. Carl Tapia, who
brother John, met and was then owner, had
got to know well when Roberts draw up new
they were kids, was plans for the lodge in
an entrepreneur, who the early 70’s. He said
later helped them get the plan was a very
started with Alpine in simple style, but an up-
the 1960’s. stairs loft was added,
Bailey subdivided in case patrons needed CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
and developed Cedar lodging for the night. The original logger's cabin and the pond Les Bailey had built and stocked with trout for sale.
Slope, laid the roads Donna Lewis Gray
and then surveyed. knew Carl and Lynn lodges. They often Mighty 190”, in awe of clists stop by — alone with you or enjoy them
There was a fishing Tapia well and said played at Pierpoint, the scenery and more or in groups — taking on the deck. A pool
pond in the late 1940’s, that Cedar Slope was a and Jan’s twin boys than a little surprised respite on the deck out table and big screen
but Roberts said ice fun place to go. Roger and Nelson Kay when they peek inside back with a view of TV provide entertain-
cream was the thing “Everyone would have their own suc- and find an eclectic, the pine forest. Hikers ment — or you can
for them, and they meet there on a Sun- cessful band, High artistic ambiance that and bicyclists stop by- watch the Stellar blue
even tried to play pool day afternoon, and Sierra, and play in beckons them to stay -and equestrians, too. jays hop from branch
on the pool table. Carl played the music Springville and sur- awhile. A riding group from to branch out back.
He said Bailey al- and we all danced. It rounding communities. For owner Wells, Los Angeles enjoyed So why, you might
ways had a bar there, was just a great fun Cedar Slope’s front Wellsville is a work a wine break on the wonder, is the place
but also a kitchen, for place.” parking lot is usually in progress. Over the back deck recently, called Wellsville?
his patrons to have a Tapia was a mu- busy with cars and past eight years he’s while their horses Well, you might have
bite to eat. Back then, sic professor in motorcycles, and has worked to draw cus- rested in the shade out noticed, the owner’s
if he was busy, Roberts Northridge, and his hitching posts for the tomers off what he back--tethered to the name is Wells -- but
recalls, Bailey would wife, Lynn, a nurse, horse around the back. calls “The Mighty waiting hitching posts that’s not the only rea-
have regulars fix their before they moved to Owner Jim Wells 190”--and increasingly, with a watering trough son. The name, added
own drinks or snacks. Cedar Slope. enjoys visiting with the customers are com- nearby. in 2005, pays tribute to
In the early 1960’s, Gray recalled that his customers -- they ing back. They may If you’re hungry, the author T.C. Boyle
Cathy Everett, remem- Jan and Gordon Kay come, literally, from all arrive by cars--of any you’ll find a barbecue who wrote “The Road
bers that Fern and were musicians and over the world, mak- vintage; car clubs love set up in the parking to Wellville” and has a
Stuart Rhodes owned played at the various ing their way up “The the place. Motorcy- lot — take sandwiches cabin not far away.
Cedar Slope, and you

This is a view of Burbank Park that was named after Luther Burbank the famous
horticulturist. Porterville became an incorporated city in 1902 and the park was
a part of the city property. This postcard was printed that same year in 1902. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS
In the beginning the park was small and in 1911 Pat Murry donated land to en- Bill Rodgers of the Farm Tribune newspaper took this photograph of the Suc-
large the park and the name was changed to Murry Park. cess Dam in 1959 as Success Lake was being filled for the first time.

This is an early view of the Porterville Airport about 1950. The airport was built In 1938 we had almost 20 inches of rain and snow in the mountains to match.
by the Federal Government in the beginning of World War II and was main- Camp Nelson was snowed in. Paul Robinson was a forest ranger and snow
tained by a detachment of soldiers. They were housed on Indiana Street and shoed into Camp Nelson and knocked some of the snow off the roofs. This pho-
they had a Dispensary and Post Exchange. tograph was of the Camp Nelson Lodge.
PAGE 14D

Burton School was moved from Olive Avenue where
the Town and Country Market is today. This was the
first group at the new location. The old location it
was used as a church on Sundays and a school dur-
ing the week. It was the start of the Baptist Church
in Porterville and the cross is seen in front of the
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS school.
The northwest corner of Olive Avenue and Main Street about 1947 and looking toward the former Porter-
ville Hotel. The Oak tree was cut down to make room for businesses in 1950. Today it is the site of Yum
Yum Donuts.

Newt Leggett started a golf course in 1930. It was for use by his personal CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS
friends. The clubhouse was moved from the Carter home on Lewis Hill. The In 1890 the actor John Barrett built these large three story buildings on the east
clubhouse was below the living quarters and in front of the clubhouse was the side of Main Street between Putnam Avenue and Cleveland Avenue. It was in
putting green. After the death of Mr. Leggett in 1945, Mrs. Dovie Leggett sold the middle of the block and it caught fire in 1893 and burned to the ground.
the golf course to the city with the stipulation the land had to remain for recre- There were fire hydrants on each end of the block and the firemen put a hose
ation. on each end but the hose was too short and could not reach the fire.

This picture was taken on the Tule River Indian Reservation in the 1930’s. From
left: Jose Vera, Fred Peyron, Mr. Osborn and his three sons who were unidenti-
fied.

This is the interior of the Parson and Wade Harness and Saddle Shop, prior to
it becoming the Porterville Hardware Store. It was located on the south of the
present day Subway Sandwich Shop. In the picture at the counter is the young
Juaquin Parsons and Dick Naylor was the man at the machine.

This is the ground breaking of the Barn Theater in 1952. Today the theater is
the longest running barn theater west of the Mississippi River. The theater
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS started in Annie Smith’s Barn on Lindley and Morton Avenue, then to a Turkey
Terra Bella had a unique railroad station that was built in 1911 by the Terra barn on South H Street and later to the Green Mill Ballroom on North Kessing
Bella Development Co. Their purpose was to get the train to stop in Terra Bella. Street. Finally they found permanent home when they started construction on
Mostly it did not stop, but threw the mail off the moving train and hooked Plano Street near Olive Avenue. In the picture from left is Violet Carpenter who
the mail going out. When the depot was abandoned Richard Muller had an ir- loaned the money, Virginia Beattiel, a founding member, Charles Cummings,
rigation company in the building. Suddenly the railroad company made Muller the Mayor of Porterville, Frankie Shelton, the builder, Herman Matske, a council-
move out, and the next week the building was destroyed by the railroad com- man, Howard Baker, a founding member and Peter Tewkesbury the founder of
pany. the Barn Theater.
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A Place Called
ABOVE: 1915 Porterville playing football

against Strathmore at Porterville High School.
RIGHT: 1918 Porterville High School girls

basketball team.
Field of Dreams
In the 1950’s the lights at the City baseball park were enlarged so baseball could be played at night.
A Place Called
PAGE 2E THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER THURSDAY, Feb. 28, 2019
Rance Mulliniks - From

Woodville to the MLB
By NAYIRAH DOSU basketball under nia (USC), Univer-
coach Carroll sity of Arizona and
Monache Land, with whom Arizona State for
he won an East baseball; and Pep-
grad was Yosemite League perdine, Loyola
part of Blue championship, Marymount and
Jays’ World and baseball with Gonzaga for bas-
Series win in coach Tom Rieger, ketball. But Mull-
where he won two iniks had known
1992 EYL titles. for some time
T
In basketball, what he wanted to
he story of Mulliniks became do.
Rance Mull- the first-ever Ma- “My childhood
iniks sounds rauder to score dream was to one
like a fairytale. 1,000 points and day be a Major
A young boy then finished his League Baseball
from Woodville, career with more player. It’s some-
California — popu- than 1,200 points. thing I started
lation 1,045 in the He earned All-EYL working at a very
1960s — grows up honors as a junior, young age. My dad
to not only play before becoming spent a lot of time
Major League the league’s Most with me, working
Baseball, but to be Valuable Player his with me to try and
drafted and signed senior year. Mull- achieve that goal.
right out of high iniks pitched and But when it kind
school, then even- played shortstop of started to be-
tually play with for Monache, and come — reality’s
the World Series received All-EYL not the right word
champion Toronto honors all three — but when I was
Blue Jays . years. 15 years old, there
But it’s not a “I got to play were some scouts
fairytale. It’s Mull- with a lot of very around that started
iniks’ story. good athletes and showing up at the
The 1974 Mo- it was a great games that I was
nache High School time,” Mulliniks participating in.
graduate was a said. “Because the And so at the point,
two-sport, three- school was young, by the time I was
year varsity star we had a good core a senior I knew I
athlete for the group and it was a was going to be
RECORDER PHOTO BY CHIEKO HARA
Marauders, and great experience.” drafted.”
Former MLB baseball player and Monache High School alumnus Rance Mulliniks he worked hard to The full-ride col- Although scout-
talks about his career as a professional athlete in the Porterville Recorder office. turn a dream into a lege offers came ing is done much
goal that he would pouring in for differently now,
accomplish. Mulliniks with Mulliniks recalled
With Monache, the University of
Mulliniks played Southern Califor- See RANCE Page 4
1908
1953 2019
In 1891, two Porterville ladies, Mrs. M.D. Murry and Mrs. C.K. Shuey, enjoyed reading and met weekly to discuss literature. Other women
were eager to join them which formed a “Book Club” and the first official meeting was held on February 25th, 1892. This group of women
were called the Inter Se Reading Circle. In 1905, people met in what was a little more than a reading room that was located in the upstairs
office space, initially in the North Taylor building at the corner of Main and Cleveland and later moved to a room over what is now the Bank of
America building. A local minister wrote a letter of application to Carnegie for $10,000. Lengthy negotiations were required, but the amount
was granted in February 1907. In 1908, land for a library building was purchased for $6,000 raised through property tax after the voters failed
to pass a bond issue. This all went towards the building known as the Carnegie Free Library. The building was designed by O.H. Huber in the
Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival style. It was constructed in 1908 and served its purpose until 1947 when it was condemned as unsafe and
demolished. The books were relocated to the basement of City Hall and Porterville was again without a library until a new one was
constructed in 1953. On January 5, 1974, the Wilko Mentz home on Hocket Street, located between the Fire Station and the library, was
demolished to make way for the proposed addition to the Porterville City Library. This was a bequest in memorial of Jessie Hepburn Mentz’s
husband who was the first mayor of Porterville. In 2008, the Porterville City Library celebrated 100 years of public library service. Currently the
City Library operates a central library at 41 West Thurman Avenue and an Adult Literacy Center at 15 East Thurman Ave, Suite B. The city
library is a visible learning center for our community by providing materials and services to area residents of all ages for personal enrichment,
the power of information, and the joy of reading. For more information visit the library at www.portervillelibrary.org.
The Friends of the Porterville City Library was organized in 1971 to assist our public
library in serving the people of Porterville and neighboring communities. The
organization’s purpose is to focus public attention on the library and its needs and to
stimulate the use of the library’s resources and services. The Friends is a non-profit
organization which helps the library by generating funds, through donations and
volunteer work, for books, programming, special needs and equipment that is not
covered by city funds. Over the years, generous donations from the community to the
Friends have helped with many library additions and improvements, such as: new
shelves-including those for the History Room and Children’s Room; automatic doors;
computer and study carrels; front desk remodel; special books, check out system and much more. Funds are generated through the Friends
book cart in the library, membership dues, monthly books sales, gifts, endowments, memorials and grants. As of 2019 they are currently at the
Spencer House at 301 North Hocket Street. The book store is open on the first Saturday of the month. Most children’s materials are free. You
can become a member for as little as $5 a year. For more information you can visit the Friends of the Library book sale.
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A Place Called
Rance Mulliniks: ‘To achieve your goal, it’s work, but get after it.’
From Page 2 but I wanted to sign up.
if I was drafted high Over the next 15 years,
Mulliniks recalled enough and it made Mulliniks went on to
a time where he was sense to do that,” play for the Angels
a senior playing in a Mulliniks said. “So as (1977-1979), the Kan-
Delano tournament it turns out, I was.” sas City Royals (1980-
against two players Two days after gradua- 1981) and the Toronto
from Visalia that were tion, Mulliniks signed Blue Jays (1982-1992).
expected to go high in with the California An- Mulliniks switched
the draft — and there gels, who had drafted to third base with the
were 33 scouts in at- him in the third round Blue Jays and was on
tendance to see them of the June draft. the 1992 to team that
all play. Making his way won Toronto’s first-
With all the atten- through the minor ever World Series.
tion Mulliniks knew league system, Mull- “When I was 18
there was a good iniks was notified on years old, if you
chance he would be June 15, 1977, that he would’ve promised me
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY RANCE MULLINIKS
drafted high and sign had been called up and it was going to work
an image from a baseball card when Mull-
right out of high school would join the Angels. out the way that it did,
iniks played for the Toronto Blue Jays.
if it “made sense to do The next day he joined I would’ve taken it and there’s four to pursue, regardless
that.” the team and one of never looked back,” outs right there. if you’re an athlete or
“I did have full rides the first players he saw Mulliniks said. “My I know I got not.
to play baseball [and was, starting pitcher hope for everybody is RECORDER PHOTO BY CHIEKO HARA him.’” “To me, it’s out
basketball] in college Nolan Ryan, warming that they can achieve People are still there if you want to
what they set out to
surprised that such a go get it,” Mulliniks
achieve and that the
success story came said. “But I think it’s
support will be there
out of Woodville but too easy for kids to be
for them. I am so
Mulliniks is quick to discouraged or feel like
blessed to have all the
point out that he’s not they can’t sometime.
things that I have men-
the only one. Especially if they don’t
tioned because how
“They find it hard have that support sys-
many people really
to believe,” he said. tem. And it’s sad when
do?”
“They go, ‘No way. we see that because
Mulliniks finished
No way you’re from it’s there, but it does
his career with a .272
Woodville.’ But like I require a lot of work.
batting average, 435
said, there’s so many But I think if you get
RBIs and 73 home runs
success stories of kids in school and you get
— the first of which he
around my age … that involved and do well
hit on July 4, 1977, in
have went on and have in school, you’ll find
Anaheim. He said one
done extremely well some people that will
of the hardest pitch-
but they did it, for the go out of their way to
ers to hit was Hall of
most part almost all help you. Try to help
Famer Tom Seaver.
of them, they did it you achieve your goal.
“I couldn’t get on
through education.” But you gotta get after
the same page with
Recorder File Photo Education has it.”
him,” Mulliniks said.
Monache High School senior, Rance Mulliniks (left) was the first Marauder to
become important
score over 1,000 career points. During his senior year he scored 628 points and “When he saw my
to Mulliniks and he
averaged 24.2 points a game, which is believed to still be a single season school name in the lineup,
encourages students
record. he had to say, ‘Well
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A Place Called
Valley Champs: 81 In All

By NAYIRAH DOSU
ship in 1925 and eral East Yosemite gram’s third Valley
Strathmore win- League and Yosem- championship with
Local area ning another title ite Division titles, a 10-7 win over
has strong in 1937 for boys
basketball.
Monache tied with
Highland High
defending Valley
champion, Red-
history of Since then Mo- School to advance wood (21-11). For
winning at nache, Lindsay and to the Masters senior Rosemary
high level Granite Hills’ pro-
grams have got in
tournament. There
the Marauders
Chapman, the
Recorder’s 2018
S
ome say that on the action and won the school’s Orange Belt Girls
having fun Orange Belt teams first Valley cham- Water Polo Player
is the most have won section pionship with five of the Year and the
important part of titles in football, placers under head all-time EYL scor-
playing sports in water polo, cross coach Drew Wil- er in career goals
high school, but in country, wrestling, liams. Tim Vanni (342), winning Val-
the Central Valley soccer, tennis, golf, at 98 pounds and ley meant not only
where talent is in baseball, softball, Bill Kropog at 190 everything to her,
abundance, many boys track and were individual but water polo as a
Photo from El Granito 1925
athletes set their field, or cheer and champions. whole. Porterville Union High School had their most suc-
goals a bit higher dance, in every de- “It was really “Water polo’s not cessful season in 1925 when the team won a Cen-
— win a CIF Cen- cade since the late exciting for ev- really recognized tral Section, Valley and Central-Southern California
tral Section title. 1970s. eryone involved,” as much as I’d like Championship. Porterville lost 21-12 to Stockton in
Williams said. “All it to be,” Chapman the State Championship. “Dissatisfaction was felt
More commonly on both sides with the officials, and supporters of
referred to as a Winning a of a sudden we said in her POY
the Orange and the Green cannot help but feel that,
Valley title, it’s an realized, we’re not interview. “Base-
Valley title just a big fish in a ball, and football,
with a different set of officials, the score would
honor bestowed on have been far different.” On the team were Captain
only the best indi- little pond domi- and basketball, O. Sheela, L. Anderson, L. Hubbs, J. Loyd, D. Killian
Despite the nating the East they get recog- and A. Carrere. They were coached by W. A. Rawl-
viduals and teams plethora of Valley Yosemite League. nized a lot more ings.
in the valley. And champions in the
with a rich athletic But we’re also able
area, not every to compete with
history of over 100 sport has won a
years in the area, all the big boys
Valley champi- in the Valley. So
the five Orange onship — girls’
Belt schools have that again, kind
track and field of put us on the
combined for 82 still remains un-
Valley champion- map. From then on
conquered in the there were very
ships. Orange Belt — and
The area’s few years where
due to several rea- we finished out of
strong history of sons, like division
winning at a high the top five. All of
placement or new- a sudden people
level began in 1924 ness of a school,
when Strathmore were looking at
some schools have us when we were
High School won more titles than
the first Valley walking in the
others. But regard- gym, and we had a
championship in less of when or
area history in lot of respect.”
how a Valley title One of the most
girls basketball. is won, each one
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO by drew williams
It was quickly recent Valley Front row left to right: Tim Vanni, Dan Vanni, George Rodriguez, Waco McNutt,
is special to those championships Adam Gonzales. Middle row: David Williams, Randy Whitlock, Mark Della, Tim
followed by Por- involved. Whitlock. Back row: Coach Drew Williams, Tim Dennis, Bill Kropog, Dennis
terville boys bas- won was last year
Eleven years Townsend.
ketball winning when Porterville
after the opening (25-5) girls water
the school’s first of Monache, and
The 1977-78 Monache wrestling team went 13-0 on the season and won the
Valley champion- polo won the pro- school’s first-ever Valley championship. The team had two individual Valley
after winning sev- champions in Tim Vanni (98) and Bill Kropog (190)
the Valley, you can couldn’t imagine

than swimming get caught up in living in this place
and water polo. winning a Valley without winning.”
And a lot of people title just like any-
don’t even know one else. Former Something
Lindsay soccer
what water polo
head coach Fode
extra
is. So I think that
being Valley cham- Doumbia, whose
But wait there’s
pions, it kind of originally from
more!
puts water polo’s Senegal, won his
The importance
name out there for first title in 2008
of winning a Val-
our school a little with the Cardinals
ley championship
bit. To the people in a 2-0 win over
is big for some
in the school and to Wasco for the pro-
sports — like
the schools around gram’s first Valley
baseball and soft-
as well.” title.
Porterville High School girls water polo win the Valley title Saturday, Nov. 10, “I feel great,” ball — because
2018 in the CIF Central Section Division II final match against Redwood High
And even if
you’re not from Doumbia, said
School at California State University, Fresno. VALLEY Continued Page 7
after the game. “I
Believers Church
"Then and Now"
Love God. Love People.
Serving our Community since 1981
Pastor Sonjia Braun

222 N. Second Street (559) 782-0531
Services: Sundays 9 am, 11 am
Youth: Wednesday 7 pm
bcporterville.com
GRACE / FAITH / HOPE / LOVE

A Place Called
THURSDAY, Feb. 28, 2019 THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER PAGE 7E
Valley Champs: Nearly a century of excellence

From Page 6 in school history
and won Tulare
after the Central County’s first foot-
Section champi- ball state champi-
onships, that’s it. onship.
But in football, Prior to their
basketball, wres- three-peat at
tling and others state, Strathmore
there’s a chance had won three
for something else Valley champion-
— a state champi- ships, but Black-
onship. well, who led
Back in 1925, the 2009 team to
Porterville boys the first Valley
basketball made it title of his 18-year
to the state cham- tenure, said that
pionships but lost even the prior
21-12 to Stockton teams wished they
in the finals. How- could’ve had a
ever in recent chance at a state
history, no team championship.
has had more suc- “All those guys
cess getting too from [1992, 1998],
and playing in the and even 2009, RECORDER PHOTO BY CHIEKO HARA
state finals than they’re like, ‘We Strathmore High School Spartans celebrate after defeating Orange High School, 31-29, Saturday, Dec. 16,
Strathmore foot- wish we had that 2017 in the CIF State Division 6-AA Championship game at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange, Calif.
ball. kind of opportu-
Under head do. Orange Belt’s 82 in 1924. Monache 2018) have won 13
nity,’” Blackwell In numbers (1978-2017) have apiece and Gran-
coach, Jeromy Valley champions
said. “You get 13 Over the years, won 15, Porter- ite Hills won their
Blackwell, the with Strathmore
games and then each school has ville (1925-2018) lone championship
Spartans have leading the way
suddenly there’s contributed to the and Lindsay (1987- in 2015.
played in the last with 40 beginning
a 14th and 15th
three CIF State game. And then
championship fi- that [2017] season, There’s no place like
nals with the team when we won that
winning the only state champion-
team state cham- ship, to play 16
pionship in Or- games —that’s
ange Belt history unheard of. That’s Home Realty and Land Co has been an important
with a 31-29 win
against Orange
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the longest season
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Home Realty and Appraisal was opened in 1985 by Geane Lohse
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Talk about put- a football coach to Co. In 2015 Home Realty showed it’s faith in downtown and moved
ting a program on win the last game.
its office into a renovated building at 120 N. Main Street in the heart
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more went 16-0
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RECORDER PHOTO BY CHIEKO HARA Our agents come from diverse

Seeded No. 1 in the CIF Central Section Division IV backgrounds dedicated to the same goal
playoffs, Lindsay High School boys soccer defeated Providing High Quality Service to our Clients.
No. 2 Wasco 2-0 for the program’s first Valley title
under first-year head coach Fode Doumbia. Tony
Godoy and Diego Medina scored for the Cardinals.
Porterville
Members of the Valley championship team were
Jose Beltran, Lorenzo Ibarra, Johnny Villanueva,
Jose Castro, Juan Gomez, Aristeo Sampablo, Jehova
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The Lindsay Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization committed to assume a leadership role in
improving the overall economic climate for members through the implementation of programs and
services which stimulate business growth and enhance the quality of life in the Lindsay area.
lindsayC HAMBER OF C OMMERCE

The Lindsay Chamber of Commerce
is an organization of individuals pooling
their resources for the advancement of
promoting Lindsay products and services
and, at the same time, protecting local
business interest. It is the "front door"
the community and the preservation of of the community and the information
the free enterprise system. As a member agency for Lindsay maintaining a
of the business community of Lindsay, wealth of reports, directories, maps
the Chamber of Commerce needs the and economic information to assist in
support of its members to do its job. answering inquiries of all types. In this
What is the Chamber's job? Its job is to way, the Chamber of Commerce is able
promote a good public image for business to constantly promote Lindsay as a good
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base and create more jobs by attracting 133 W Honolulu St Ste E
new business and industry to Lindsay. Lindsay, California 93247
The Lindsay Chamber of Commerce is
the community's top salesman, constantly
For over 150 years,
Porterville Unified School
District has been tasked
with educating students in
the Porterville community.
For the past, the present,

and the future, we continue
our mission of providing
students with the skills
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www.portervilleschools.org
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A Place Called
Strathmore
from STRATHMORE HIGH SCHOOL yearbook ‘37 from STRATHMORE HIGH SCHOOL yearbook ‘90
Heavyweight Basketball Girls Basketball: Barbara Walsh, Elisa Castaneda, Sonia Rios, Erica John, Brandee
Coach Manning, J. Boyer, J. Douglas, P. Anderson, I. Holly, B. Palmer, L.V. Basham, Kurz, Alyson Shropshire, Jill Lemke, Kristi Smith, Grace Jiminez, Lully Halstrom,
B. Myers, J. Anderson, L. Smith, J. Van Beek. Monica John, Coach Smithy.
The Strathmore boys basketball team won the program’s first Valley title in 1937. The 1989-90 Strathmore girls basketball team defeated defending state champi-
For the Valley title, Strathmore defeated the Wolves of Livingston 35-27. Myers, on Avenal 46-45 in Div. V championship game the for the programs first Valley
Holly, Basham and Captain Lester Smith were all named to the All Valley team. title. With 14 seconds left, Barbara Walsh hit both free throws to win the game.
The Spartans went on to win the next six Valley championships as well.
STRATHMORE
VALLEY CHAMPIONS
Boys Basketball:
1937
Girls Basketball:
1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996
Boys Golf:
2016, 2017
Boys Tennis:
1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2010, 2011
Girls Tennis:
1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994,
1995, 2008, 2009
Football:
1992, 1998, 2009, 2016, 2017, 2018
State:
2017
Girls Soccer:
from STRATHMORE HIGH SCHOOL yearbook 1989
Top: Hieu Tieu, Mattie Nolte, Modesto Ayala, Warren Murphee, Leo Reyes, Mike Weldon, Craig Wallace, Loi
2010, 2012, 2015, 2016 Tieu, Jake Williams, James Pagh, Dennis Barke. Bottom: Terry Emberson, Kacie Dimmitt, Angelina Garcia,
Girls Water Polo: Jennifer Henderson, Krista Hunter. Not pictured: Kristy Smith, Cindy McIntosh, Kevin Smith, Sandra Gonza-
2014 les, Melissa Kulbrith, Celestine Vidrio, Tony Arellano, Angel Garcia, Yoky Inthavong.
Dance/Pom:
2017 From 1988 to 1995, Strathmore’s boys and girls tennis programs won a combined 14 Valley championships.
Recorder Photo by Nayirah Dosu

The Strathmore High School boys golf team: Jeeven Larson, Juan Guajardo,
Ridge Schorling, Landon Fleeman, Lucas Wilkinson, Chris Ferrer and coach Corey
Gill — poses after winning the CIF Central Section Division III championship for
the second year in a row at the Valley Oaks Golf Course in Visalia.
Photo from STRATHMORE HIGH SCHOOL yearbook 2015

The 2014 Strathmore girls water polo team. Members of the team were Shay
Ramirez, Sydney Garcia, Vanessa Claude, Alec Huth, Madison Bower, Hannah
Hartsell, Gwen Adriannsen, Abby Watson, Brandi Borba, Sam Deterle, Victoria
Burrough, Carly Innis and Aimee Alarcon. They were led by head coach Tom Har-
rison.
They won the program’s first Valley title with an 18-12 win over Reedley in a
Div. III championship game. Carly Innis scored a team-high eight goals on 11 at-
tempts while also getting five assists and five steals. Gwen Adriannsen finished
with five goals, Sydney Garcia had three and Madison Bower had two. The
Spartans finished the season with an 18-5 record and were East Sequoia League
champions as well.
from STRATHMORE HIGH SCHOOL yearbook 2010

Front row: Andrea Gutierrez, Veronica Magana, Jaylen Lemus. Middle row: Tay-
lor Brown, Sofia Vallejo, Sarah Spuhler, Alejandra Orozco, Jackie Avalos. Back
row: Monica Velasquez, Haylee Christian, Amelia Medrano, Lizbeth Galvan, Bri-
anna Rodriguez, Lauryn Brown, Hailey Tsuboi
LEFT: The 2009-10 Strathmore girls soccer went unbeaten in the East Sequoia
League for the fourth year in a row and defeated Farmersville 4-2 in the Div. VI
Valley championships for the program’s first Valley title. They finished the sea-
son 17-3-2.
A Place Called
Porterville
PORTERVILLE
VALLEY CHAMPIONS
Girls Cross Country:
1988
Girls Tennis:
2009
Boys Track and Field:
Year unknown as of press time
Baseball:
2016
Boys Basketball:
1925, 2015
Girls Basketball:
First Valley Champs (from left): Coach Brian Hill, Monique Patino Lauren Nelson, Lindsey Johnson, Sara Ca-
marena, Jennifer Borror, Sandra Garcia, Jennifer Nacianceno, Summer Matthews, Chelsea Loftis, Annie Pal-
lanes, Whitney Moorhead, Coach Valdez. 2003
The top-seeded 2002-03 Porterville girls basketball team won the program’s first Valley title by beating Girls Wrestling:
third-seeded Granite Hills 77-38 in the Div. III section championship game at Bill Sharman Gym. Jennifer
2013
Borror had a game-high 25 points while Sandra Garcia finished with 17. It was a sweet victrory for the
Panthers after losing the 1999 and 2000 Div. I title games to Hanford. The win was the school’s fourth-ever
Boys Water Polo:
Valley title and the first for second-year head coach, Brian Hill. Unfortunately for Granite Hills, it was their 2013, 2016
third-straight apperance and loss in the Valley finals. Leading the Grizzlies in scoring was Allison Johnston Girls Water Polo:
with 15 points and Madision Purkiss with 13. 2005, 2006, 2018

Above: Porterville High School’s squad celebrates
with friends after defeating West High School Sat-
urday, March 7, 2015 at the CIF Central Section Boys
Basketball Division III championship game at Sell-
and Arena in Fresno.
In 2015, No. 2 Porterville boys basketball upset No.
1 West for an 89-72 win in the Division III Valley
championship game for the program’s first title
since 1925. Justin Duran led the team with 31 points
and nine rebounds while Elijah Moreno had 15
points, went 9-of-9 from the free throw line and had
seven assists.
Back row, left to right: Sarah Valenzuela, Katelyn Ball, Bryce Beatty, coach Richard Taylor, Brittney Guerrero,
Chelsea Olenberger, Taylor Carmen; and front row: Hannah Risvold, Vannessa Roady, September
Williams, Sara Risvold and Megan Harrison.
In 2006, after winning the school's first Valley title in water polo, Porterville girls water polo repeated as
Div. II champions with another win over rival Monache, this time in a 5-2 victory. Megan Harrison had 16
saves while Chelsea Olenberger scored one goal and received the Div. II Sportsmanship Award.

Porterville High’s squad takes down pitcher Jacob
Hernandez (7) after defeating Selma High Monday,
May 30, 2016 in the CIF Central Section Division
III baseball final at Rawhide Ballpark in Visalia.
The 13th-seeded Panthers won the Valley title for
the first time in program history. Porterville boys
brought home the program’s first Valley cham-
pionship in 2013 when the 13th-seeded Panthers
knocked off sixth-seed Selma in a 7-3 victory. Jacob
Hernandez pitched a complete game for the Pan-
thers, allowing two earned runs on nine hits while
striking out nine batters and walking one. Hernan-
dez was also one of the team’s top hitters after
From left to right: Alisia Scudder, Larissa Clem, Nicole Ervin, Nancy Valdez, Quinn Johnson, Shiloah Gibson, Alecia Gonzales, Brenna
going 2-for-4 with three RBIs, a triple, a double and
Simpson, Nettie Roman and Wendy Suarez. Head coach Kurt Nielson pictured center.
two runs scored.
The 2009 Porterville girls tennis team went 12-0 to win an East Yosemite League title and finished as Div. III Valley champions.
The top-seeded Panthers downed defending champion, No. 2 Tehachapi, 7-2 for the first tennis Valley champion in school history.
RECORDER PHOTO BY CHIEKO

HARA
The 2013 Porterville boys wa-
ter polo won the program’s
first Valley title with an 8-7
victory over Sanger in the Di-
vision III championship game.
A.J. Moore scored the game
winning goal with 1:47 left in
the game. It was a revenge
win for the Panthers who lost
6-5 to Sanger in the section
championship game the year
before.
Porterville High’s squad celebrates after defeating
Selma High Monday, May 30, 2016 in the CIF Central
Section Division III baseball final at Rawhide Ball-
park in Visalia. 13th-seeded Panthers won the Valley
title.
Bottom row, left to right: Max Behrens, Noellia Calvillo, Amy Walker, Debbie
Quijas, Dora Cardenas, Monica Samaniego, Mary Mabon, David Casias; Mid-
dle row: Celia Calvillo, Unknown, Carlos Ferrer, Juan Casias, Ramiro Teran,
Jeff Norville, Ruben Aparicio, Bret Waters, Amy Mabon; Back row: Mr. Nuno,
Patricia Cervantez, Gini Chance, Jed Boulton, Unknown, Paul Sanchez, Laura
Higareda, Molly Maloney and Mr. Guzman.
All levels of the 1988 Porterville boys and girls cross country teams
went undefeated (10-0) to win East Yosemite League titles. But the
girls team excelled and won the first girls Valley championship in school history.
A Place Called
Monache
MONACHE
VALLEY CHAMPIONS
Wrestling:
1978
Girls Basketball:
1997, 2011, 2012
Softball:
2012, 2017
Girls Water Polo:
1995, 1996, 2004
Boys Water Polo:
2005, 2006, 2008
Boys Cross Country:
2017
Girls Cross Country: MONACHE HIGH SCHOOL MONOWAY ‘96
2014, 2017 Top row: Becky Hammlemann, Nicole Sailors, Amanda Burns, April Bauer, Revecca Efseaff, Natasha Efseaff,
Jill Warren. Second row: Christina Gillett, Joni Wuth, Kristi Begin, Lisa Cotton, Tanya Chroman, Coby Bowser,
Kristen Crane, Andrena Mann, Megan Hanson. Third row: Monica Jiminez, Brooke Donohoe, Rebecca Macha-
do, Bryn Britton, Keli Brittain, Shahrzad Tabatabai, Stephanie Elliott. Fourth row: Amanda Greene, Gina Rap-
pleye, Cheryl Conway, Melinda Garay, Jamie Belton, Maria Rodriguez.
The Monache girls water polo team won the Central Section’s, and the program’s, first-ever girls water polo
championship with a 7-5 win over Porterville. Bryn Britton finished with three goals and five steals while
Becky Hammelmann had three goals, six steals and two assists. Britton was also named the tournament’s
Most Valuable Player. Monache also defeated Hanford 10-5 to go back-to-back as Valley champs in 1996.
MONACHE HIGH SCHOOL MONOWAY ‘18

Cross Country: Axel Aldaco, Aaron Aparicio, Zachary Camat, Arthur Castillo, Isaac Ceballos, Joachim Del Rosario, Bernardo Espinoza,
Pedro Guerrero, Jonathan Guerrero, Adrian Martinez, Isaiah Mendez, Ivan Mendez, Bryan Perez, Nicholas Rodriguez, Francisco Ruan,
Jose Luis Sanchez, Giovanni Sanchez, Isaiah Sotelo, Jaden Uphoff, Ruben Verduzco, Tanner Weldon, Laila Alghonaym, Marina Barragan,
Chanel Bradley, Haylee Castaneda, Aryanna Guzman, Sofia Lopez, Adriana Loya, Milayli Moore, Zaira Pena, Alyssa Quinones, Marilou
Ruiz, Imelda Suarez, Aislin Taylor.
Both the boys and girls Monache cross country teams won a Division II Valley title in 2017. The boys beat out Reedley 47-78 while the
girls defeated Redwood 60-66. Imelda Suarez won the girls individual title with a 19 minute, 10.5 second finish while Marilou Ruiz
(19:24.8) placed second. At second place in boys, Ivan Mendez (15:54.8) was the team’s highest finisher.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY TOM FIORMONTI

Front from left to right: Annika Schuehle, Misty
Kracher; middle row: Rose Tamayo; back row: Abby
Berryhill, Amanda Baker, Julie Drews, April Becerra,
Shea Purkiss, Fabiola Ochoa, Michelle Halemeier,
Meggan Christenson, Bryn Britton; and hanging
from rim: head coach Tom Fiormonti.
The 1996-97 Monache girls basketball team won the

program’s first Valley championship with a 54-51
win over Clovis West in the Division I championship
game. It was a big win for the Marauders after hav-
ing lost to West in the finals the previous two years.
Bryn Britton led the team with 20 points while Shea
Purkiss had 17 and Amanda Baker had 12. Britton
and Baker both went 1-for-2 at the free throw line
to seal the win for Monache.

Girls Cross CountryTop: Liset Madrigal, Allison Smithpeters, Sabrina Mahal,
Gladys Garcia, Pilar Jimenez, Victoria Camacho. Middle: Trinity Ramirez, Evelyn
Rincon, Jordyn Zorn, Simran Sidhu, Stephanie Ramos, Alyssa Quinones. Bottom:
SoftballTop: Coach Scottie Ponciano, Briana Bamber, Crissy Lopez, Johanna Field-
Ashley Calo, Imelda Suarez, Laura Lopez, Gabriela Lozano, Katie Trevino.
er, Jasmin Brown, Felishia Campbell, Emily Reynoso, Paige Simmonds, Coach
Dave Koonz. Middle: Kaitlyne Thompson, Kaylee Doyel, Kelsey McCabe. Bottom:
The 2014 Monache girls cross country team beat McFarland 42-93 to win the
Tarah Patterson, Danielle Emerson.
school’s first Valley championship in cross country. Jordyn Zorn led the team to
first with an 18 minute, 45 second 5,000-meter finish for an individual Valley
The eighth-seeded 2012 Monache softball team won the program’s first Valley
championship.
title with a 6-4 comeback win against Clovis North for the Div. II championship.
Kaitlyne Thompson got the win on the mound after going seven innings with
three earned runs on 11 hits, three walks and one strikeout. Tarah Patterson
went 3-of-4 with an RBI and a triple to lead the team while Thompson also
went 3-of-4 with a double and two runs scored. The game was played on the
same day at Clovis on the same day as Monache High School’s graduation.
A Place Called
Lindsay
LINDSAY
VALLEY CHAMPIONS
Football: 1987, 1988, 2001
Baseball: 1990, 1991, 1992, 2018
Boys Soccer: 2008, 2012, 2017
Girls Soccer: 2013
Girls Basketball: 2013, 2014
LINDSAY HIGH SCHOOL COMET ‘90

Top row: Coach Morelli, Robbie Graves, Bryan Rojas, Mike Pratti, Coach Rollins. Middle row: Desmond Agu-
irre, Leonard Cruz, Lupe Huerta, Mike Covington, Adrian Jauregui, Rodney Brown. Bottom row: Ko Hirano,
Isaias Nunez, Pete Serna, Mike Hernandez, Alan Shaw.
The 1990 Lindsay (24-6) baseball team won the program’s first Valley championship with a 7-3 win over
Orosi (24-7) in the Sierra Division on May 25. Joey Zamora (8-2, 1.83 ERA) was the winning pitcher after go-
ing four innings with just one hit and one walk. He also at one point struck out 11 straight batters. Allan
Shaw was the top hitter after going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. The Lindsay Cardinals went on to
win the next two Sierra Division Valley championships as well.

Rejoicing in glorious victory, the 1989 Cardinals pro-
claim themselves “Number One” in the valley after
going back to back as Valley champions. Lindsay
won their first-ever Valley championship the year
before.
A Champion’s Prayer
The prayer for the 1987 back-to-back Valley
championship Lindsay High School football
team under head coach Frank Schiro:

Top left: Frankie Arguelles, Megan Salinas, Kennedy Blue, Michelle Whitehair, Ashley Baker, Misty Villarrel.
When you have Faith,
Bottom left: Sayla Arguelles, Christina Castro, Chelsea Alvarez, Destiny Garcia, Alexis Gutierrez You have something to believe.
The 2013-14 Lindsay girls basketball recieved the top-seed and won the program’s first Valley championship
And when you have Goals,
with a 50-38 win over second-seed Orosi in the Div. IV championship game. Destiny Garcia led team with You have something to achieve.
18 points and had nine rebound but Christina Castro had a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds
while also totaling six assist and five steals.
So we reach for the stars,
We find a mountain to climb,
We dare to be great,
But we give ourselves time.
But help us remember,
No matter how futile things seem,
With Faith,
There are no impossible dreams.
- Adapted from the poem “Possibilities”
by Alice Joyce Davidson.

First row: Coach Freddie Martinez, Ana Duran, Adri-
ana Gutierrez, Sandra Cortez, Natali Avila, Wendy
Valenzuela, Assistant Coach Sophie Nunez
Second row: Mariana Gutierrez, Marisol Oto (Soto?),
Stephanie Rangel, Daisy Rodriguez, Aimme Gutier-
rez, Marlen Duran. Third row: Rebecca Escovedo, Di-
ana Martinez, Karina Morales, Jannely Rangel, Kayla
Camargo

Members of the Valley championship team were
Jose Beltran, Lorenzo Ibarra, Johnny Villanueva,
Jose Castro, Juan Gomez, Aristeo Sampablo, Jehova
Villanueva, Miguel Bernabe, Adrian Medina, Tony
Godoy, Martin Avila, Daniel Palos, Emidio Villanue-
va, Jose Madrigal, Federico Lule, Estevan Gonzales,
Joshua Castro, Filiberto Gutierrez, Sergio Lemus and
Diego Medina.
Seeded No. 1 in the CIF Central Section Division IV

playoffs, Lindsay High School boys soccer defeated
No. 2 Wasco 2-0 for the program’s first Valley title
under first-year head coach Fode Doumbia. Tony
Godoy and Diego Medina scored for the Cardinals.
ROTARY CLUB  
Granite Hills
OF PORTERVILLE
SERVICE ABOVE SELF
Recorder File Photo by Trenton Lively

On May 12, 2015, Granite Hills High School boys tennis won the school’s first-
ever Valley championship with a 5-4 win over Liberty Madera in the CIF Central
Section Division V championships.
pionship in 2015, how- basketball (2001-03),
G
THE RECORDER
ever the Grizzlies have boys and girls cross

ranite Hills been to eight Valley country (2001), girls
won their only championships in boys soccer (2006) and girls
Valley cham- basketball (2015), girls tennis (2009).
Join a Club
Committed to
COMMUNITY SERVICE
๏ Remodeling Kitchen and Building Bunks for the Family
Crisis Center
๏ The Veteran’s Memorial Monument at Porterville College
๏ Barn Theater Outdoor Stage and Replacement of the
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Indoor Stage From left to right: Coach Gary Stoddard, Nancy De la Rosa, Madison Purkiss,
๏ Annual Porterville Rotary Christmas Parade Chelsea Loftis, Skye Stoddard, Lisa Marquis, Jocelyn Lybarger, Allison Johnston,
Taia Jones and Tara Williams.
๏ Support High School Students at Premiere High School
Leadership Camp The 2001 Granite Hills girls basketball team went to their first Valley champion-
๏ Sponsors a Local High School Interact Club
ship game in 2001. The 2002 and 2003 teams also went to Valley championship
games but none of the three teams were able to win a title.
For Information About Joining Our Club, Contact:

[email protected] or Sharon Kamberg 559-793-6231
In the early 1900’s,

the gold rush generated
the call for saloons where
men could sip their liquor,
spin their tales and spend
their GOLD...
Scotty’s Saloon was such a place

and it stood where our store is
today! The search for the very
best in gold, diamonds, jewelry
and even a good story still leads
people to the same place...
David Horowitz Jewelry.
175 N. Main Street

(559) 784-7123
A Journey
92 Years
PORTERVILLE
COLLEGE In The Making
Since 1927, Porterville College has
been providing affordable higher
education and job training to
Porterville and surrounding-area
residents.
Whether you’re wanting to earn a
college degree and transfer to a
four-year university or acquire new
job skills and take the next step in
your career, PC can help.
Today, PC offers a wide variety of:
• Associate in Arts (AA) Degrees

• Associate in Science (AS) Degrees
• Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) Degrees
• Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) Degrees
• Certificates of Achievement • Job Skills Certificates
Extra support services are also available for foster youth,

single parents, veterans, and others.
To start your educational journey,

visit portervillecollege.edu/recorder
or for more information, call 791-2200

A Place Called Home 2019

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A Place Called

May a child’s laughter always bring a smile to your face.

May a front porch swing always bring you comfort and

Always be proud of where you came from and if anyone

A Special Publication of The Porterville Recorder

THE BANK WHERE LOCAL MATTERS.

For all your personal and business banking

65 West Olive Avenue, Porterville

© 2019 Suncrest Bank.

Putnam County Band in front of the Zalud House.

The Ties That Bind

Porterville State Hospital Open House on May 23, 1969.

The Howell family poses for a holiday photo in

Bill Parsons, Publisher Welcome ‘Home’

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS

Here for You Now.

Flood of ‘66: Much worse without Success Dam

RECORDER FILE PHOTOS

n December of 1966, Porterville received

ABOVE: This photo, taken northwest of Woodville on

LEFT: Residents in the 800-900 blocks of North Division,

Flood: The Red Cross stepped in to help aid victims

RECORDER FILE PHOTO

111 North Villa St.• 788-0483

RONALD L. IRISH PETE V. McCRACKEN CAMERON J. HAMILTON PEDRO R. MARTINEZ

VIRGINIA R. GURROLA JUDITH A. GIBBONS VIRGINIA R GURROLA JAY C. COLEMAN

THEODORE G. ENSSLIN JOHN T. RANKIN. JR. NERO PRUITT STEVEN E. TREE

The Battle for the Zalud Estate

Paid for by Kevin McCarthy for Congress www.McCarthyforCongress.com

Porterville’s SP depot made multiple journeys

RECORDER FILE PHOTO

Chiropractic Adjustments, Decompression and

Dr. Massey Missakian

Greatest Theater Reunion & Jimmy Howell’s 89th Birthday

Gaurang S. Pandya, MD is proud

We provide a variety of services to patients of all ages.

Acid Reflux & GERD

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEFF EDWARDS

Watering is prohibited between the hours of 5:00 AM to

No watering outdoor landscapes during and within 48

Excessive water runoff is prohibited.

The washing of sidewalks and driveways is prohibited.

Vehicles shall only be washed on designated watering days

The operation of ornamental water features is prohibited

Reunion: That was the entertainment

Ornamental water features are prohibited

In 1893, Burton was moved to the current location of Burton

Burton grew from one school in the early 1980’s to

Burton currently consists of nine school sites (pictured above) and

20-Ands: a Porterville original service club

Lawryn Monterroso, D.D.S.

174 N. Villa Street, Porterville, CA 93257

Thanks be to God and Amen

The Hell’s Angels incident of 1963

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOs BY JEFF EDWARDS

(559) 789-0944 This historic building has always

Securities and Advisory services offered through LPL Financial,

Photo CONTRIBUTED By JUan J. Sanchez

2019 FORD 2019 FORD

701 N. Main Street, Porterville, CA 93257 • (559) 784-6000 • www.portervilleford.com

Lindsay Theater story: Saved by the community

horse, an antique mo-

Rendering of new office building

T he Eagles Lodge was originally located on

For Information About Joining Our Club  