The Tehachapi News Presents
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The Tehachapi News presents IST OUR H ORY A Fourth of July parade, circa 1890, is seen here proceeding north along Curry Street. The building with the peaked roof is seen on the present-day location of the Talmarc Building. COURTESY TEHACHAPI HERITAGE LEAGUE A collection of historic photos, stories and personal memories of how Tehachapi became the community it is today. EarlyEarly settlers,settlers, PagesPages 2-32-3 City’sCity’s pathpath toto successsuccess followedfollowed ImpactImpact ofof thethe thethe railroad,railroad, 19521952 earthquake,earthquake, PagesPages 6-76-7 COURTESY OF THE TEHACHAPI HERITAGE LEAGUE PagesPages 8-98-9 John Brite erected the area’s first sawmill COURTESY OF KELCY’S CAFE ALEX HORVATH / THE CALIFORNIAN in 1860 in a canyon just south of his ranch The 1952 earthquake devastated Tehachapi’s commercial house (from the book “Images of America A BNSF freight train starts a slow trek around the Tehachapi district. TEHACHAPI,” by Gloria Hine Gossard). Loop, Oct. 23, 2018. A look at our history TEHACHAPI NEWS Today, Tehachapi News quake, our old cemeter- We’re often looking at takes a step back in time ies, the people who have what’s next — When do with this special history lived here for decades we have to drop the kids section. and more. off at school or shuttle We tapped local his- There’s something here them to their next ath- torians and our staff to to surprise and delight letic event? What’s for present key dates in local even those who are well- dinner? What preparation history. We’re taking a versed in local history. is needed to deliver that look at our early begin- We hope you enjoy fantastic presentation at nings, the importance of our look back — as Te- work? What’s there to do water delivery and the hachapi continues to make this weekend? railroad, the 1952 earth- progress. Prominent events in Tehachapi’s history................................................2-3 COURTESY OF THE TEHACHAPI HERITAGE LEAGUE John Brite erected the area’s first sawmill in 1860 in a canyon just south of his ranch A look at Tehachapi before house (from the book “Images of America TEHACHAPI,” by Gloria Hine Gossard). and after Europeans arrived .......................................5 Tehachapi’s history follows the railroad.....................................................6-7 Tehachapi’s early 1952 earthquake was defining moment in town’s history ....................................... 8-9 City’s oldest commercial building OUR HISTORY history ... at a glance TEHACHAPI NEWS survived the earthquake....................................... 10-11 n 1987, local historian Pat Gracey wrote a 100- Researchers unearth clues Iyear history for St. Mal- to past at old cemetery.........................................12-13 achy Church’s centennial commemoration. Vintage postcards show “Each notation has vol- umes of history behind it, how things have changed ....................................14-15 but it’s nice to get a glimpse of the ‘goings on’ of the Older residents talk people who came before about what used to be...........................................16-17 us,” Gracey wrote in her introduction. BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN FILE PHOTO Old Timers Reunions bring past, Among those historical dates noted by Gracey: Jedediah Smith present residents together .......................................18 COURTESY OF MOJAVEDESERT.NET Local man Everett Sims Padre Francisco Garces celebrates 105th birthday..........................................19 Padre Francisco Garces Hospital a prominent part Kit Carson guides trappers Wednesday, November 27, 2019 27, November Wednesday, traverses the Tehachapi through the valley over Jede- of community .................................................................20 Pass with four Mojave Indian diah Smith’s route. guides. Water was key ingredient to communities coming together .......................... 22 John C. Fremont crosses Jedediah Smith crosses Tehachapi and Oak Creek History’s all around us with the Tehachapi Pass as the Tehachapi News News Tehachapi passes. first American to see the installation of downtown plaques ......................... 23 2 area. WIKIMEDIA.ORG Please see TIMELINE | 3 John C. Fremont TIMELINE Continued from PAGE 2 Lt. Robert Williamson explores Tehachapi Pass as a possible railroad route. The first settler arrives in Te- hachapi. John Moore Brite, his wife, Amanda, and their family settled in what they called “Brite’s Valley.” Also this year, the Wiggins family COURTESY OF THE TEHACHAPI HERITAGE LEAGUE settles in Brite’s Valley. The The St. Malachy Catholic Church and rectory located on two families unite when the corner of F and Pauley streets was built in 1916. The John Moore Brite’s son, Jim, rectory was later moved to Dennison and Highline. The marries Lucinda Caroline church building was remodeled and became Bank of the “Callie” Wiggins. Sierra. COURTESY OF THE TEHACHAPI HERITAGE LEAGUE The old Tehachapi School in Old Town in 1890. Students and their teacher pose before the new, one-room school that represented the Tehachapi School District. The district was created on Nov. 9, 1866, just eight months after state legislators approved the formation of Kern County, making it the first district in the county. OUR HISTORY teacher, Louesa Marie Jewett (Crites), arrives in Tehachapi on horseback. The last names of her students include Brite, Wiggins, Dozier, Cuddeback, Hos- sick, Hart, Tyler and Hale. The Fickert family arrives in COURTESY OF THE TEHACHAPI HERITAGE Bear Valley. LEAGUE George Cummings COURTESY OF THE TEHACHAPI HERITAGE LEAGUE Anton Pauley moves to The Tehachapi Methodist Church, shown here in 1916, is George Cummings first Tehachapi for his health located on the southeast corner of D and Green streets. sees the Tehachapi Valley COURTESY OF THE TEHACHAPI HERITAGE LEAGUE and pursues a farming and Protestant services were first conducted in 1871. (From while on a cattle drive. Later, butcher business. Pauley Pat Gracey, left, and Nadine Hessing stand in front of a the book “Images of America TEHACHAPI,” by Gloria he settles in the valley bear- framed photo that says “Tehachapi Celebrates 100 YRS.” Hine Gossard). Street is named after him. 2019 27, November Wednesday, ing his name. He later donates land for the The Indians build rude huts parish by the bishop. The first St. Malachy Church on Tehachapi to the southland. greatly changes the shipping for him to offer Mass. A first pastor is Father Pat- F Street. The Tehachapi Loop is the and transportation for the large man with red hair and rick Bannon. The church is The first Fourth of July cel- first accomplishment in the local citizens. beard, plus the white robes, built by local citizens with ebration in Kern County is project. The Loop special makes the Indians think he is considerable financial help held in Tehachapi. construction allows the old William Farmer Free- of divine origin. from the Fickert family. The steam engines to circum- man and his wife, Susan The first Catholic Mass, parish boundaries include vent the necessary altitude. Medlin Freeman, arrive by on record, is celebrated in north to Owens Valley, east Squire Wiggins is the first covered wagon to settle in Tehachapi by Father Mat- to Needles and south to the The Tehachapi Method- postmaster of Old Town Tehachapi. That year, their thew Marron, assistant Lancaster area. The priest ist-Episcopal Church is (then Tehachapi). It is lo- first child, Susan “Califor- The town of Tehachapi is pastor of St. Mary’s Church often travels by train and founded, with the first build- cated at Ed Green’s General nia” Freeman, is born. The founded when the S.P. Rail- in Visalia. Mass is offered at rides in the engine with the ing located on Green and D Store. journey takes them seven road builds a depot on the the home of Anton Pauley engineer. streets, later to be known News Tehachapi months to travel from Na- site. It is first called Sum- since no church was built yet. as the Community Congre- varro County, Texas. mit Station, but the name gational Church. The church Tehachapi moves with the still holds regular services Tehachapi becomes an in- settlers who come in from William Wiggins first con- Father William Denpflin, on the corner of E and Green corporated city. what is now Old Town. The ducts school in Tehachapi John Narboe becomes the a Dominican Priest, travels streets. Southern Pacific Railroad Valley. postmaster of Tehachapi. a wide area of California, also finalizes the spelling including Tehachapi. The In- of Tehachapi, which had a The Bank of Tehachapi dians call him Padre Blanco variety of spellings up to St. Malachy Catholic Church boasts of $100,000 in because of his white robes. 3 The first woman school A railroad line opens from that point. The new railroad is built and designated a capital. The History of RE/MAX Tehachapi 1988 to present A lazy little intersection with stop signs, old farm houses and two Every agent that ever worked for Jack loved him dearly. He was an Icon lane roads has become a thriving center with double turn lanes, in the community. While agents and staff have come and gone, each 4 lane roads, and a State Highway. It was risky, but Jack Williams had one that graced the doors of the RE/MAX office offered something a vision when he developed the mini-market and then the strip center special and unique. This legacy is evidenced by our current front where RE/MAX Tehachapi has resided for 31 years. His motto even desk administrator that was in the same position 20 years ago, but before the movie made it famous… if you build it, they will come. returned 2 years ago. In Rene’e’s return interview we asked what she liked best about RE/MAX and she said, “Jack”. Through the ups and downs of the real estate market, Jack and Diana remained steadfastly committed to the RE/MAX office. Even the great recession of the late 2000’s did not stop them from serving their clients faithfully.