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’ve been back to visit the Anderson Marsh State Historic Park in Lower Lake a few times now since my first visit in 2019 — probably making up for all the times in earlier years I drove right past and never even knew it was there. In fact, although I know there are loads of other great places to explore […]
Huell really isn’t kidding when he says that this episode of California’s Gold starts off “with a bang,” and it’s sure to put a smile on your face right away! This is a really fun episode that’s filled with early motion picture theater history — not the big stuff like movie studios and glamorous stars, but the nearly forgotten details […]
Back in January 2017 I wrote about the Orangevale Avenue Bridge; built in 1915 as part of the historic Lincoln Highway, it narrowly escaped being dismantled and replaced by something unmistakably modern. Despite lingering misgivings around the need to preserve the original structure, the necessary construction updates went ahead, and the bridge reopened to traffic in mid 2017. My post […]
It’s one thing to be an amateur photographer, and quite another to be a professional. It’s hard for me to imagine the amount of hard work and persistence it must take to consistently produce quality photos like the ones featured in this episode of Visiting. But these professionals definitely have some incredible stories to tell! Huell meets the photographers behind […]
One final look inside the Gladding McBean factory during Feats of Clay XXIII, March 2010.
I have returned many times to Rattlesnake Bar on Folsom Lake for the hike to Avery’s pond. Last Thursday I shared a few 2006 images from this beautiful area, so this week I’m jumping ahead 10 years with photos from a hike we took on April 1, 2016. I previously posted some of these pictures back in May 2018 (see […]
The Gladding McBean company has a long and fascinating history. Over many decades of the factory’s existence, their artists have created miles of clay sewer pipe, tons of decorative tableware, and countless pieces of architectural ornamentation in terra cotta. To walk through the factory even today is to discover bits and pieces of history lying about in every room.