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. Including the California
State Mining and Mineral Museum (located at our Fair Grounds, for
those who do not know) on the list, even if not serious, shows a
decided lack of understanding of the value of the efforts that have
taken place over the last twenty or so years to bring this world
class collection to Mariposa. Purely and simply, if there is a part
of State Government that works in spite of continued cut backs, it is
the Park System.
A bit of history might be in order. In about 1983, then Mariposa
County Planning Director Bob Borchard, became aware of the desire of
the State of California to divest itself from the state mineral
collection, then housed in the Ferry Building in San Francisco. This
exhibit on display since late in the 19th century was in a space
leased from the Port Authority which wanted to remodel the building,
no longer used as the arrival point for ferry boats from Oakland.
The building was in bad shape, having survived the l906 earthquake
and years of neglect. I recall my father taking me to San Francisco
in the l930's and riding a ferry boat with the walking beam drive
system, passing by the partially completed Bay Bridge. We arrived at
the Ferry Building, and as our first stop over, we saw a giant relief
map of California and the Mineral Exhibit. Mainly a collection of
what appeared dusty rocks in wooden cubicles arrayed on tables; I had
little appreciation for the display until we came to the gold and the
model of a stamp mill.
Living in Mariposa and growing up with the Mariposa Mine in our back
yard, gave me even more appreciation of the place of mining in the
history of our state and county. As I became an adult interested in
Mariposa County history, the mineral exhibit took on greater meaning.
When in l984, a couple of then county Supervisors visited me in my
shop asking me if I would put together a local organization for the
purpose of supporting the establishment of the Mineral Exhibit in
Mariposa, I immediately was interested. It was not easy because we
had no place to put the collection and the city of San Francisco and
its politicians woke up and complained about the loss of the
attraction. By this time the deal had been struck. It seems no
other county took a serious interest in having the collection, then
under the control of the Department of Conservation. But, we are not
used to saying no to difficult tasks, so we picked up the exhibit,
moved it into the l858 jail and formed The Mining and Mineral
Association for the purpose of supporting the exhibit and finding it
a permanent home.
A series of suits against the State and a local special election,
designed to send the exhibit back, all failed. But it caused delays
in getting the collection properly housed. Once the obstacles were
overcome, and after a couple of abortive starts, the collection was
housed in the conference center at the Best Western. The Fisher
family, understanding the need to have at least part of the exhibit
on display, allowed the temporary installation of the collection,
thus convincing the folks in San Francisco that we were serious about
being the home for the museum. The Board of the Mineral Association,
working with Supervisors Erickson and Baggett, began the process of
finding a permanent home for the collection.
In l987, during the Fair and at the height of the Stanislaus Complex
Fire, which threatened to close the Fair, dedication was held for the
new Mining and Mineral Museum and building at the Mariposa County
Fair Grounds. While the building is on state ground and was
constructed with grant moneys from the state, Mariposa County agreed
to contribute to keeping the museum in Mariposa by providing the
funds to rent the building from the Fair Association. In the
beginning the rent was $24,000 annually, but today it has doubled.
None the less the revenue is kept locally to help the Fair
Association to survive a withdrawal of funds over the years from the
state. Fairs were supposed to be supported by horse racing in
California but after a few years were told that they were essentially on
their own. Thus an important part of the operation of the Fair is
from rental of various facilities, including the Mineral Building.
One of the best changes that took place in the management of the
Mineral Exhibit was the transfer from the Department of Conservation
to the Department of Parks and Recreation. Since that conversion,
professional leadership has helped build the collection, make it more
available to school children and the public and give valuable
interpretation. The staff of the Mineral Exhibit since becoming part
of Parks and Recreation has been professional and contributed to the
growth of this state and county asset.
Over 16,000 visitors view the collection each year including roughly
6500 school children. The Mining and Mineral Assn. is a significant
contributor to the quality of the exhibit through its acquisition
programs, sponsoring the yearly Gem and Mineral Show in April, and
providing docent assistance, along with many other Mariposans.
The Mining and Mineral Collection is not just about gold and the
Gold Rush. Although the Gold Rush in California gains more attention
because of the historic impact that it had on the growth and
development of our state, many other indigenous mineral based assets
of our state have had an even more important impact. The
representation of quality specimens from all over the state, and
occasionally the west, has now grown over the twenty years of
location at the Fair Grounds to represent one of the premier
collections in the world. The arrival of the Fricot nugget from San
Francisco even more established this collection as one of the best.
Further donations and loans of Gold and other specimens, plus many
historic artifacts, only bring considerable credit to the Museum.
Gem and mineral collectors from all around the state take an interest
in this museum far exceeding what appears on the surface.
In my position as Tourism Director, I know the value of having three
very different, but none the less very well respected museums in
Mariposa County. The development of visitation to Yosemite is
necessary because frankly it is the major support of our County. But
the desire often expressed of making Mariposa County outside Yosemite
a destination is going to require a bit more time and the expenditure
of effort and resources.
The California State Mining and Mineral Museum is just one of the
important assets that we have which needs further development. The
attempt to move the museum into the town of Mariposa has a great deal
of merit but has yet to materialize. Perhaps another approach will
be necessary but until that occurs, the collection is properly housed
in a very accessible building on our beautiful Fair Grounds. Perhaps
the greatest regret is that only a portion of the collection is
available for inspection as any one time. But none the less, a very
competent staff does a great job of interpretation and presentation.
Because of the unique nature of this museum, its vested relationship
with Mariposa County and its value to our community; I am urging our
representatives in the Legislature to remove this facility from the
list for closure. But also understanding of the nature of things, I
encourage our citizens to first, if you have not, visit the museum
and carefully learn of its value: secondly, support the Mining and
Mineral Assn. by membership and involvement; and thirdly to volunteer
to become a docent at the museum. This museum is one of our proudest
assets, to be treated so casually as to be used to "shake up the
legislature." This museum is a serious part of our culture and
history and should be treated as such.
CONGRATULATIONS TO MARIPOSA COUNTY
The completion and acceptance of the Sewer Plant at Don Pedro by
Mariposa County should not go un-noticed. This facility has been a
difficult problem for our county for some time and to have a
competent plant serving in Don Pedro Subdivision, and hopefully,
operated by the Subdivision Board, is a result long awaited. Our
Public Works Department has made great strides under difficult
circumstances over the years and is to be commended for this result.
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
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