TIME HAS COME FOR RECOGNITION

The announcement of the administration and personnel of Yosemite
National Park that they will very soon begin the reconstruction of
Section D of the El Portal Road (Hwy 140) from just above the
junction of Hwy 140 and Hwy 120 leading to Yosemite Valley leads me
to believe that given the proper direction, careful planning and
discussion, a needed project in Yosemite National Park can and will
occur. An $8.8 million contract with Emmett's Excavation Inc., of
Clovis will lead to the proper re-construction of the almost 1/3 mile
of undermined roadway which at times has been described as subject to
imminent failure. Of course the Park Service has done everything it
could to keep the roadway open, safe and serving the public. Had
this section failed, it would have meant the instant closing of
Yosemite National Park since within this roadway runs the sewer line
serving the valley.
During this reconstruction of the highway at the junction inside the
park, according to the Park Service, traffic will be reduced to one
lane. Late night through early morning closures at the junction also
are planned, with delays of up to a half-hour possible at other
times. This means, on one hand, some delays getting into Yosemite
Valley, but on the other hand a safer permanent fix to a bad
situation. A number of groups outside the Park Service urged
expedited construction including TIE (Transportation Involves
Everyone) along with the Mariposa and Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors.
While the winter weather will be somewhat of a hindrance, the swift
completion of this project will be gratefully appreciated by all who
use the road.

THE HOLIDAY SEASON IN MARIPOSA
Mariposa is a hard working town. The merchants struggle to survive
everything from economic conditions, road closures, fires, and the
weather and in general sometimes overwhelming governmental actions
that make it virtually impossible to struggle on ahead. In spite of
Rite Aid, very few big box retailers are going to come to this
county of 18,000 plus or minus. The only reason that a large Drug
Store Chain can come to Mariposa is because the delivery of medical
care in the USA is deeply involved in third party reimbursements. I
listened to a political debate last night that threatened to
nationalize all health care, including the delivery of services and
drugs. Maybe that is the only answer, but so far I am not convinced.

Fifty or so years ago only the Drug Store, the Western Auto and
Trabucco's would decorate extra for Christmas. There were four
grocery stores downtown with Trabucco's, the Butterfly Market, The
California Market and Yosemite Market. Each had an established
following. The population in the county in l960 was 5,057 with
probably 1,200 in town.
Yet it would seem like there were many people on the streets during
the afternoon and evening. The Drug Store stayed open until 9PM on
Saturday night, the biggest day and night of the week. The Mariposa
Theater was open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, showing the latest
Lash LaRue film. The Gold Coin, 49er Bar and Capital Café would all
be busy. At the Drug Store Soda Fountain ice cream was dispensed for
a nickel a scoop and Banana Splits were just coming back after an
absence for the war.
The Mariposa Lion's Club celebrated the season with a raffle of new
home appliances that Trabucco's would get for them. The old prewar
stoves were electric if one had electricity or wood for others.

Electricity was just coming to parts of the county although it had
been in Mariposa since l906.
That was thanks to the Mariposa Commercial and Mining Company which
built a power house at Bagby. Because the water is so low this year,
you can drive through the parking lot on the east side of the bridge,
and go a couple of hundred feet towards the campground. There in the
river bottom is what is left of the crib dam built over 100 years ago
to divert water to the generators in the power house a short distance
down stream. Another dam had been constructed on that site about
l858, but was destroyed in l861 after an earth slide dam above Bagby
burst in a downpour. The wall of water washed out the dam and Benton
Mills, which Fremont had constructed and named after his
father-in-law. Actually Benton Mill's name was changed to Bagby
after the railroad came through in l906.
In Bootjack, Jerseydale, Greeley Hill, out Ben Hur and other remote
areas power was either by generator or kerosene. Only after WWII was
over and the Federal Government began extension of electricity into
rural areas of the US, did the rest of our county receive the
service. The PG&E was given the contract from the Federal Power
Administration to install electricity through out the county. After
the power house at Bagby burned in l913, Mariposa was without power
for a couple of years. Strange that the mills at the Mariposa and
Princeton Mine burned the same year. (Ran out of Gold?)

Today the merchants of our town decorate, hold sales and promotions
and ply you with refreshments. They care about their community,
their business, their families, each other. They ask only that you
take a look at what they offer. They support, where ever possible,
the needs of our society. Their standards are high, yet they are not
without fun and frolic.
I have been very lucky to work closely with them this last year and a
half but this is going to have to come to an end. I have enjoyed
giving my best of experience and time. It is now time for someone
younger, better skilled, and better trained to take over, so at the
end of the year I will move on. Thank you one and all for a great
time.

Leroy Radanovich



Leroy Radanovich Email:
Leroy Radanovich



To Read More By Leroy Radanovich:
Leroy Radanovich's Mariposa Life Archives





 

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
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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