On April 17, 1943, the stock in trade and residence of Jay P. and
Wanda Miller transferred to Roy and Alberta Radanovich. They and
their two sons, David and Leroy, moved to their new home and business
in Mariposa from Exeter, California. The Radanovich family got more
than a Drug Store and a house. They received a home, replete with
new friends; a town suffering from gas and nylon rationing and
needing something new to break the monotony of a war. Their young
sons and a few daughters were off somewhere in Texas, Europe, the
South Pacific all struggling to fight back the axis powers. Sons of
ranchers and homesteaders flying bombers over Germany, loosing their
lives in the fields of France, suffering in the mud of the Solomons,
sinking with the destruction of a mighty fleet at Pearl Harbor. I
can point to most of these young men who served in WWII, came home to
build a new town and county; danced the night away at Timber Lodge
and Bootjack, brawled and loved, made the Mariposa that we now know
and I remember.
A short distance up 6th St from our new home lived Stan and Evelyn
Fiske, their new son and another on the way. Stan was off somewhere
in the Philippines but Evelyn was just about the first at our door,
welcoming us with flowers and cookies and never leaving our love and
friendship. In that way Mariposa is not much different than it was
then except these folks that became our instant friends had survived
from the gold rush days, although they were mostly from ranching
families.
The Preston’s were from the south end of the county, and the Fiskes
from the north. I asked Bill Wass once why the Wass family came from
West Virginia and stayed in Bootjack while the Prestons stopped there
for a bit but moved on down hill to the south. He told me that it
was simple. The Prestons knew their grass better. Ranchers and
farmers their family also consisted of the Probasco and Chapman clans
from Missouri. They knew cattle but also were wise enough to keep a
few hogs around. For when the days were difficult, it was the hogs
that lifted the mortgage. Kind of like sheep for me.
Evelyn was the eldest of eleven children of Emmet and Effie Preston.
Born January 9, 1913, she was destined to finish school in Oakvale
and high school in Le Grand (because the Mariposa bus did not go out
that far). Uncle Emory and Aunt Ruby Preston lived in Le Grand and
often Evelyn stayed with them. She was a serious student, graduating
from Fresno State College and getting her teaching credential from
University of California.
She returned home to teach in Oakvale, Mariposa and Gardnerville in
Mono County.
Evelyn married Stanley Fiske of the Greeley Hill Fiskes whose
ancestors were also pioneers in our county. Stan was a seasonal
ranger in Yosemite. During WWII, Evelyn lived in Mariposa taking
care of son Bill and teaching part time at the high school.
She occupied a large place in my young life. Her manner and
kindness reminded me of my grandparents from Tennessee. Even though
she was a couple generations removed from Missouri, her humor and
sweet nature reminded of the rural people who were my ancestors.
Once, although I was only 9 years old, she gave me a job weeding in
her yard. I was getting along fine with the weeding until a couple
of other kids came along and wanted to go swimming over in Stockton
Creek. I stopped my chore and grabbed my bathing suit, and off we
went, hardly without saying goodbye to Evelyn. When mother found out
it became my first lesson in responsibility.
When you agree to a job, no matter what, you finish it. She would
not let me weed again because I had not finished the job and I
learned the value of keeping an agreement. Cost me plenty since.
Over the years our family became close. Stan came home from the
service, served for many years on the Fair Board and worked for the
title company. He and father became great friends and undertook the
task of introducing the Radanovich men to Mariposa County. My first
trip to Hornitos was with Stan. He knew everyone and everyone knew
him. Before the war he had served in county government and was well
respected.
We went deer hunting at Billy Wensels on Chowchilla Mountain
(although I mostly got car sick), and helped Stan’s father dig
potatoes by the barn in Greeley Hill. We investigated Coulterville
and Bagby, saw the last of the Yosemite Valley Railroad run, visited
the ruins of the Pendola Store in Bear Valley, met Brick and Dode
Trabucco.
Evelyn and Stan were the parents of two bright and accomplished
sons. My opinion is that their success is the results of having a
strong mother who knew the value of education. Stan had heart
problems and died far too young. He left Evelyn with an early
Mercedes auto which she drove until she was not able to drive
further. The young sons, Bill then Emmett, have stayed fine friends
of our family. That first house that we moved to when we came in
l943, was purchased by the Fiske family and remains in their hands
today. A few years ago, Evelyn had the house restored to more modern
standards. Once completed, Ellie and I were invited to view the
results. Now this more than 70 years old house will still hold the
Fiske family and be the grateful destination of the Radanovich family
for a visit.
Many of the multigenerational traditions of visiting with friends,
plotting trips or just discussing our history will continue within
those walls that we all find so comforting. And just around the
corner, down the hall lined with family photos, somewhere making a
gift of love will be Evelyn. Her presence will always be with us,
our first friend that we all loved so much.
To learn much more about Mariposa County along with
historical photos:
A signed copy of "Images of America" - Mariposa County,
By Leroy Radanovich can be purchased at his web site:
Radanovich Galleria & Books
This is a early day photo of the Mariposa Mine in
Mariposa County
that is mentioned in the article to
the left by Mr. Radanovich.
This photo and others can be purchased in various sizes.
All prints are archivally printed on fiber based paper, given a selenium wash which renders the photographs permanent with a
warm tone ready for framing
Radanovich Galleria & Books
Mariposa in 1920
This photo and others can be purchased in various sizes.
All prints are archivally printed on fiber based paper, given a selenium wash which renders the photographs permanent with a
warm tone ready for framing
Radanovich Galleria & Books
Mariposa County Courthouse written by Leroy Radanovich and
Scott Pinkerton is a book about the oldest courthouse in California that is still in use today.
The book is signed by Leroy Radanovich.
To purchase the book:
Radanovich Galleria & Books
Mariposa in 1860
This photo and others can be purchased in various sizes.
All prints are archivally printed on fiber based paper, given a selenium wash which renders the photographs permanent with a
warm tone ready for framing
Radanovich Galleria & Books