April 21, 2008
HOW WE GOT TO THIS POINT IN TIME
About 1948, the State of California informed Mariposa County that it
should begin developing a General Plan. Court decisions had
determined that land use planning was a state, not Federal,
responsibility.
HOW WE GOT TO THIS POINT IN TIME

March 25, 2008
MISSIN' PISTON
This last week a real Mariposa character passed in a Veterans
Hospital, leaving another generation behind to carry on the love of
life.
Missin' Piston

March 2, 2008
PLEASE READ
For sixty-five years I have lived in and mentally recorded all
manner of life here in Mariposa County. Coming here at the age of
ten was quite an experience because my family...
Please Read

February 16, 2008
Observations
Having had the pleasure of almost 50 years in business in Mariposa
County, has given me a perspective which could be useful in what
seems to be a rapidly declining national economic environment.
Observations

January 31, 2008
LOWELL " Waddie" ZOLLARS
I was in the 7th grade when the three Zollars brothers joined the
three room Mariposa Elementary School. Waddie was the oldest and in the 8th grade...
Lowell "Waddie" Zollars

January 21, 2008
MINING AND MINERAL MUSEUM
Excuse me for being a little angry with the Governor but to shut
down over forty state parks just to get even with the Legislature or
to "rattle their cages" should convince some folks that not all
actors can become quality public servants.
Mining and Mineral Museum

January 7, 2008
LET'S CLEAR THE AIR ABOUT TOURISM
It is my understanding that in certain quarters it is not completely
understood why merchants in Mariposa and your Tourism Director are
giving positive interviews about the economic struggle in Mariposa
County.
Let's Clear The Air About Tourism

December 18, 2007
AN EVENING TO REMEMBER
Sixty-five years ago, as a ten year old, I first visited the
auditorium at Mariposa High School. The school building itself was
only six years old.
An Evening To Remember

December 10, 2007
FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Last week a very important report was delivered to the Board of
Supervisors. The State of California paid, through a block grant,
for a Economic Development Planning study...
Future Considerations

December 2, 2007
Year End Wrap Up
It seems like I am starting this year end compilation a little early
but because so much happened in 2007 that I thought I should start
early.
Year End Wrap Up

November 20, 2007
THE ECONOMY OF MARIPOSA COUNTY AND THE FERGUSON ROCK SLIDE (Part Two)
A number of issues come together with the announcement of the
availability of issuance of an Environmental Assessment/Initial Study
and the date of a Public Hearing on the Ferguson Slide Restoration
Project. November 18, 2007
The Economy Of Mariposa County And The Ferguson Rock Slide (Part Two)

November 18, 2007
THE ECONOMY OF MARIPOSA COUNTY AND THE FERGUSON ROCK SLIDE
For the last 18 months or so, I have been intimately involved in the
economy of this county, what makes it work, it's past and future.
The Economy Of Mariposa And The Ferguson Rock Slide

November 4, 2007
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 ...
TIME HAS COME FOR RECOGNITION

October 22, 2007,
BOB PICKARD
The announcement that Bob Pickard will not run for re-election after
12 years of service to the voters of District 5 and Mariposa County
does not come as a shock
Bob Pickard

October 11, 2007,
JOAN GLOOR
A very good friend has ended her suffering. I can not feel worse at
the loss, except for the knowledge and understanding that life ends
in many ways, some of them requiring more courage than others.
Joan Gloor

September 30, 2007,
HIGH SPEED RAIL AND MARIPOSA COUNTY
Out there is the world that we don't often like to think about, a
great debate is taking place about High Speed Rail in California.
Please do not think that the subject has no consequences for Mariposa
County.
HIGH SPEED RAIL AND MARIPOSA COUNTY

September 23, 2007,
YARDLEY LAVENDER
Going over the boxes of out dated and obsolete merchandise that one
accumulates if you are in business long enough, leads one through
three quarters of a century of observations.
Yardley Lavender

September 10, 2007,
OBSERVATIONS
The issues relating to the 6th St Cinema have been resolved to some
extent. Further activities related to the restoration of the
building, the old Masonic Temple, will proceed with the full interest
of the community thanks to misguided publicity that was presented in
an attempt to challenge the existence of the project
Observations

August 22, 2007,
ICE CREAM SODAS AND OTHER ITEMS
The proper way to construct an Ice Cream Soda. At the age of 12, I
was instructed by my father in the ways to do many things. How to
properly sweep a floor, how to dust a bottle, how to wash a window,
and how to concoct a number of products using syrup, ice cream and
carbonated water.
Ice Cream Sodas And Other Items

August 15, 2007,
THE MARIPOSA DRUG COMPANY
As of Thursday, August 2, 2007, the Mariposa Drug Company ceased to
exist. The name will go on in Mariposa County history, just as the
Mariposa Drug Store, the J. J. Cook Drug Store and perhaps others,
but at least for the foreseeable future no Drug Store will carry that
name. It is replaced by the Rite Aid Store which will be at the
Pioneer Center for a time, then their own location at the corner of
Joe Howard Road and Hwy. 49 N.
THE MARIPOSA DRUG COMPANY

July 15, 2007,
FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND THE GROWTH OF
GOVERNMENT SERVICES
By the middle of the 1960's, Mariposa County had a professional
Sheriff's Department, although it would take a few more years before
the Sheriff and his men and women would all be professionally
trained. Ann Means became the first women Deputy and it was hard on
the Sheriff's to bring professionalism to the department. But it
came.
FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND THE GROWTH OF
GOVERNMENT SERVICES

July 12, 2007,
FIRES IN THE WEST AND OTHER OBSERVATIONS
Coming home from Colorado was almost a completely sad
experience. Smoke everywhere from fires in Utah, Nevada and
California. We saw the big fire in Utah on the first day from a
short distance when we were going to Grand Junction, Colorado. Dry
weather, and according to locals, government policies about control
of prescribed burning contribute to the fuel loads.
FIRES IN THE WEST AND OTHER OBSERVATIONS

July 6, 2007,
THOUGHTS ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS
Hello from Colorado Springs. We picked the hottest days of the summer to take a trip, thinking that it would be cooler at our daughter's house
but, no luck, it is just a hot as in Mariposa. It is about 1200 miles to
Colorado Springs. We decided to try US Hwy 50 for a change. Now I know why it is called the loneliest highway in the world. But it does go
through a interesting couple of old gold mining towns like Austin and Ely
Nevada.
THOUGHTS ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS

June 26, 2007,
THE GROWTH OF AN INDUSTRY - PART TWO
The new Hwy 140 reached Mariposa town in l924. In order for
visitors to access Yosemite, they were directed to Mormon Bar, up
Bootjack Road turning left at Elliott's Corner and over Chowchilla
Mtn. to Wawona. For a few years this was the major road route to
Yosemite from Central and South California. From Northern California
the Big Oak Flat Road was the one most used.
The Growth Of An Industry - Part Two

June 13, 2007
THE GROWTH OF AN INDUSTRY
At the end of WWII, Mariposa was a bit like the Mariposa of l926,
waiting for the tourists to come back after the war. For the most
part, the first travelers to Yosemite were driving prewar cars,
without air conditioning and on poor tires. Flats were common as
were thirsty tourists that would stop frequently for cold drinks,
water for the radiators, to fix flats and a rest room for the ladies.
The Growth Of An Industry

May 29, 2007
I MET AL GORE AND OTHER ITEMS
About fifteen years ago, after I was a County Supervisor, I traveled
to Shelbyville, Tenn., which is the home of part of my mother's
family. At a Rotary luncheon, as guest of a second cousin, I was
introduced to the program of the day, then Senator Albert Gore Jr..
A handsome young man with much of the speaking style that one sees
today.
I Met Al Gore And Other Items

May 7, 2007
OUTLOOK FOR THE FUTURE
Mariposa County, as with all counties in California are beginning to understand that they may have gone over the top in the structuring of retirement benefits for employees. How did this impossible debt occur?
What does it mean if this is not corrected?
Outlook For The Future

April 22, 2007
Walter R Scott
It does not seem quite right to attend a Memorial Service for Walt
Scott. Someone I knew quite well, more from observation during the
early years after WWII, until having an opportunity to do business
with and visit with in the last years.
Walter R Scott

April 17, 2007
Law Of The Land
People frequently ask me how the young miners were able to protect
their claims and property during the early days of the Gold Rush. No
law existed although there was a Sheriff whose real task was to
collect taxes. California was so new a state that few laws
especially related to mining had been adopted.
Law Of The Land

April 8, 2007
FORMING THE MARIPOSA BATTALION AND
THE MARIPOSA INDIAN WAR 1850-1851
Robert Eccleston, who with his brother, came to Mariposa County from
New York to seek his fortune. Like most young 49'ers living in
tents, brush huts, and log cabins if lucky, fortune escaped him. As
much as anything water was the key ingredient to success in the
mining camps.
FORMING THE MARIPOSA BATTALION AND
THE MARIPOSA INDIAN WAR 1850-1851

March 26, 2007
Gold Rush In Mariposa
While there may have been a few Sonorans prospecting around what was
to become Mariposa County before l849, the first real effort to
develop the mineral wealth of the county came when Alex Goday,
leading a group of Mexican miners from Sonora, Mexico, left Agua Fria
Creek to venture east.
Gold Rush In Mariposa

March 19, 2007
A View From The Porch
I enjoy sitting on my porch looking over downtown Mariposa. I think
about all the folks who have sat here and enjoyed the view. What a
beautiful little valley this is, land of the Mariposa River.
A View From The Porch

March 11, 2007
Life In The Old Girl, Yet !
Friday night on Channel 18, and episode of California Connection was
aired that had been produced last year. A portion dealt with the
rock slide and the effects on the economy of Mariposa.
Life In The Old Girl, Yet !

March 4, 2007
Mariposa County, Yosemite National Park
And The Temporary Bridge
Spending the last seven months intimately involved in the economy of
Mariposa County has given me even more information about this county
of ours. First off, I want everyone to know that we are immersed in
a very frustrating set of circumstances.
Mariposa County, Yosemite National Park and The Temporary Bridge

February 23, 2007
Mariposa History
I didn't realize when I was ten years old that there were people
around me that were born during the Gold Rush. Even during the Civil
War and later. My grandparents were born in the 19th century and yet
they were relevant to my time and life.
Mariposa History

February 18, 2007
Cindy Butler
Last Saturday I attended the funeral for Cindy Butler, wife of David Butler and daughter-in-law of Lorrell Wolfsen Butler Seidlitz, my friend and classmate. Cindy was one of the sweetest, well loved young ladies that I have known and to have passed at the age of 49 is beyond grief.
Cindy Butler

February 11, 2007
Tourism and Mariposa County
As some of you may know I have been spending the last six months
assisting with the Visitor's Bureau for Mariposa County. The request
from county government was to bring the advertising up to date and
move the function to a private/non profit mode where a trained and
educated marketing person can be hired to shepherd our most important
Tourism Industry through the next few years.
Tourism and Mariposa County

February 4, 2007
CAROL DAVIS
Carol Davis, nurse, John C Fremont Hospital Board member and wife of
Mariposa County Supervisor Herb Davis, served this community in a
number of ways not explored.
Carol Davis

January 24, 2007
Evelyn Elodie Preston Fiske
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.
Evelyn Elodie Preston Fiske


January 21, 2007
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Friday night at the Mariposa County Fair Grounds, the Mariposa
County Chamber of Commerce presented their Business of the Year,
Businesswomen of the Year and Businessman of the Year. All three
awards were fully appropriate.
 Chamber Of Commerce

January 14, 2007
Our Valley, Our Choice
In a few weeks a new book, "Our Valley, Our Choice", will be
released by Modesto's Great Valley Center. Carol Whiteside, who was
mayor of Modesto during the years that I served on the Board, has
headed up this private planning center for at least ten or fifteen
years. Occasionally I would receive information from their programs
and just didn't have time to become very much involved. But now, for
some reason, they have rushed to publish a documentary style report
on the future of the San Joaquin Valley.
 Our Valley, Our Choice


January 7, 2007
Drive Thru and Drug Store
In a few weeks, the Planning Commission is going to consider
a new Drug Store which wishes to locate in Mariposa on land already zoned for that use. The issue which will be discussed will be the existing
prohibition on drive thru windows which was added as an amendment to
the Specific Plan for Mariposa about 15 years ago.
 Drive Thru And Drug Stores


January 6, 2007
Leroy Radanovich's Mariposa Life
It has been five months since I have been able to communicate with
my friends in and about Mariposa County. The Sierra Sun Times has
given me the opportunity to re-establish a dialog. It is frustrating
to have the desire to communicate and feel cut off from the community
I love and live in. I am not a trained writer, yet at this time in
my life I want to write. I know that when I visit with people about
the things I love, I talk too long and give too much. But it is all
there inside me bursting to get out. I want people to know and love
Mariposa as much as I. 
Leroy Radanovich's Mariposa Life

Leroy Radanovich Email:
Leroy Radanovich

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