The name of 16th century conquistador Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo has been attached to quite a number of geographical landmarks and structures, mostly in Southern California. So I was a little confused when I first heard about the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse in Mendocino County, and of course I had to visit the site and see it for myself. On my first […]
Huell Howser visited quite a few historic California lighthouses throughout the years as he filmed one series or another. I’ve previously featured shows in which he explored the Point Sur Lighthouse, the Cape Mendocino Lighthouse, the St. George Reef Lighthouse, and even the tiny Battery Point Lighthouse up in Crescent City. And although he didn’t make it to every one […]
Last Wednesday I took a look at the Central Garden located at the Getty Center in Los Angeles; this week, it’s the beautiful art and architecture of the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades. I feel like this episode really only whets the appetite for everything that is available to view in this amazing art collection — it makes me rather […]
I’ve never visited the Getty Center in Los Angeles, and I may never get the chance to wander through the museum or the gardens. But the good news is that Huell spent a good bit of time exploring this cultural jewel, and for the next two Wednesdays I’m featuring the episodes he filmed there, showcasing the Central Garden and the […]
I happened to catch this Classic episode of California’s Gold the other day on television. It’s great to be able to hear the memories of people who were on the spot when these structures were first built and used; and that includes Huell, who clearly had his own experience with quonset huts. As for the origin of the word quonset, […]
Ever since I saw an old black-and-white photo on a brochure promoting historic sites around Lake County, I’d been eager to go in search of the lost gem that was the Lucerne Hotel — sometimes referred to as “The Castle.” I’d actually built it up in my mind, certain that it was hidden away at the top of a steep, […]
I don’t do this very often, but this week I’ve decided to repeat an episode — one that I originally featured way back in May 2017. For the past few Mondays I’ve been sharing photos with you that I found in the Hicks Album from the Feats of Clay XXIII exhibition, one of the last years the event was held inside Gladding McBean. The images have raised a few questions about the terra cotta factory; and the fact that the company no longer offers tours to the public makes this look inside all the more wonderful. I hope you enjoy seeing Huell’s visit to Gladding McBean as much as I have. My original post: Lincoln is a little town not too far up the road from my house, and I’ve never spent much time there at all. So I was very surprised when I first saw this episode of California’s Gold to realize there is such an important and historical company located there. From the Brooks Brothers emblem to light standards for a bridge in Moosejaw, Canada, these guys create art for public spaces, and every piece is created by hand. Step back in time with Huell to the olden days of making pottery the Gladding McBean way. The 118-year-old company in rural Lincoln, near Sacramento, is the nation’s only remaining major manufacturer of terra cotta. From decorative to functional, McBean’s terra cotta is acclaimed for its distinctive style which graces […]
This 2002 episode of California’s Gold offers yet another great example of the colorful pieces of history that are lost over time. If you were to glance out the window of your commuter train and see the flat marsh of Drawbridge Island extending off into the distance, you might never dream there had once been a bustling make-shift community of […]