Oakland City Landmark 1975 The Cupola National Register of Historical Places Newsletter 1976 of the Alameda County Historical Society Landmark 1985 Pardee Home Museum California Historic Landmark Spring / Summer 2013 1998 A MOST ATYPICAL GOLD MINER, Panama City followed the dangerous foreigners and favor Americans. The Enoch Pardee (1827-1896) river travel. Pack mules and the hikers $20 per month tax was more than most frequently had serious and sometimes miners earned in a month of “panning”. By Ron Bachman fatal falls. This tax was reduced to $3 per month Arriving in San Francisco in 1852, he in 1852. This was probably done since immediately left for Long Bar, saloons, gambling halls and pleasure California, on the Feather River. He did palaces were suffering because the placer mining probably panning by miners had no surplus money. himself or using a rocker or Long Tom Enoch also did not suffer the physical teaming up with a small group of other intimidation and the bigotry that the miners. He survived an epidemic of Native Americans, Chinese, Mexicans, cholera and participated in the South Americans and persons of Enoch Pardee (ca. 1880) treatment of others with the disease. African descent did. The Chinese He also avoided typhoid and dysentery frequently were forced to mine only at In 1851 Enoch Pardee abruptly halted which were common abandoned sites and, by hard work, his self-training to become a physician Unlike the majority of other gold made these profitable. Many Mexicans and joined the male population surge to miners, Enoch was able to save and South Americans returned home to California to “see the elephant” (see $10,000 (equivalent to about $250,000 seek their fortunes in gold mining there. article later in this newsletter). The in 2013 dollars) in one year on the Persons of African descent were few in excitement of being part of the Gold Yuba. He then left and opened his number and probably made up less Rush was likened to a child seeing the medical practice in San Francisco as than 1% of gold miners, but did have a elephants at a circus. Up to this time an Oculist and Aurist (Eyes, Ears, presence (Nigger Hill and Arroyos de Enoch had spent his life in the North Nose and Throat – EENT). This fortune los Negros). East part of the USA (Ohio and allowed Enoch to begin his life in San Enoch was truly an atypical miner in Michigan). As a teenager he suffered Francisco – marriage, family, medical that he made a small fortune in placer Egyptian Ophthalmia (now called practice, and, ultimately, politics. mining and survived the diseases that Trachoma), a serious eye disorder that Now let’s put Enoch’s story into the were so common (cholera and could have left him blind. He was cured typhoid). One in five miners died by by a Dr. James Bigelow which led to historical context of the Gold Rush and the history of California. It has only disease, accidents, or homicide and Enoch’s decision to become an Oculist only one in 12 had any success in (now called an Ophthalmologist). been 164 years since James Marshall discovered gold, but our State had placer mining. He also was fortunate The lure and excitement of the Gold been inhabited for thousands of years to leave with his profits after one year Rush was probably the only thing that before this by Native Americans. since placer mining by an individual or could have interrupted his medical small groups ended in 1854. Enoch When Enoch and the other miners studies. He left New York City by ship was truly an “atypical gold miner”. arrived in San Francisco, they had to in late 1851. He had chosen the fastest route to California (two months), but purchase the clothes and equipment SAVE THESE DATES! probably the most dangerous. He needed: a gold pan, pick and shovel, boots, and perhaps “waist overalls” Thursday, July 4, Noon to 4pm: Our would sail to the city of Chagres on the (early name for Levi’s). Prices were traditional family event filled with food, east coast of the Isthmus of Panama music and fun. then take a canoe 50 miles on the swift inflated and a pair of boots cost one ounce of gold that was then valued at Sunday, September 15, 2 - 4:30pm: and dangerous Chagres River making P.O.W.E.R. Presents the 2nd Annual every attempt to avoid capsizing and $16 ($320 in 2013’s dollars). Ms Delilah Beasley Tea. robbers. He was also fortunate to avoid In the Gold Country Enoch was Saturday, September 28, 7pm - 12am: Chagres Fever (Yellow Fever fortunate to be a “White Anglo Saxon The 6th PHM Ghost Investigation. Protestant” of American heritage. He transmitted by mosquitoes). Sunday, September 29, 10:30 - 2pm: A steep and dangerous 25 mile did not face the foreign miner’s tax Waffle Brunch and Garden Concert. descent from the city of Gorgona to which began in 1851 to dissuade SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY IN NEW DOCENT – CYNTHIA FOSTER YELP RAVES FOR PARDEE TEA GARDEN A HUGE SUCCESS Cynthia was born in Utica, New York Pardee Home Museum tours and teas On a beautiful April afternoon the and was brought up in Clinton, New have been very favorably rated on Pardee Home volunteers hosted a Jersey. Her lifelong interest in history Yelp, the website that allows customers spectacular tea for thirty friends and brought her to the Pardee Home to rate their experiences. Fifteen family of a very appreciative eighteen- Museum. guests have taken the time to write year-old girl from San Leandro. Tables This interest goes back to her very positive and even lengthy reviews were set with china for a garden tea childhood. Family discussions often of their tours and teas. Nearly all the prepared and served by members of centered on family history as well as reviewers have given the PHM our tea committee under a shady oak United States and world history. experience five stars! in front of the carriage house. Cynthia graduated from Wells College http://www.yelp.com/biz/pardee-home- with a major in history. She was museum-oakland wondering what next when a judge The following comments are taken from offered her a summer job and then the Yelp reviews. “We have done suggested law school. She attended many activities in Oakland during the the University of Virginia law school 23 yrs we have lived here, and and then went to Washington D.C. to PARDEE IS THE BEST. It's amazing begin her career working for the chief that we have this local treasure right in counsel of the IRS. That is where she our own backyard, and so few people met her future husband. They married know about it.” An additional writer and transferred with the IRS to San The surprise birthday party girl wore a shared her thoughts. “Magnificent High Francisco. They moved to Piedmont vintage pink fifties prom dress. Her Tea (a bargain!) AND a fun tour! We and raised two children. mother and sisters arranged this have had high tea all over the West celebration because she had always Along the way Cynthia and her Coast. Pardee's is the best, and what a wanted to have a big tea party and she husband became seriously interested bargain! $25 gives you a private, is graduating from high school and in antique silver. Their interest in silver luscious tea with superior savories and studying at UC in the Fall. Two tables also gave them a good reason to return pastries (all baked by the volunteers), were filled with high school friends; the to England each year. Soon their and afterwards a guided tour of this boys particularly loved the "sushi" hobby became a business. They quaint, charming Old California home.” sandwiches (smoked salmon), and all started a catalogue business, “The raved about every course. Extended Leopard’s Head”, in antique silver and family of every age filled the other five sold at shows. Eventually they tables. Several commented that, as partnered with a shop on Union Street high tea fans, they found the PHM tea in San Francisco called “Argentum – delicacies the very best and intend to The Leopard’s Head”. They closed reserve a Dining Room Tea their business in 2011 and Cynthia immediately. retired from the IRS in 2012. The Pardee Home Museum is fortunate to have Cynthia as a volunteer where she serves as a docent and as The excerpts from Yelp give an insight secretary to the board of trustees. Plus into the popularity of PHM teas and she is always willing to help with tours. We have a unique setting and extras. an unusually talented and devoted tea committee that pride themselves on the SHADY ACTIVITY AT PHM quality of the food and the presentation Hans Boerner, owner of Alcatraz of the table including linens, flowers, Shade Shop, has generously china and silver. Visit PHM on Yelp to donated his skills and materials to read for yourself the extent that our the PHM windows. All of the shades guests are enjoying themselves. in the house have been beautifully Thanks to the efforts of several green- Before the nice weather disappears, restored to working order or replaced thumbed volunteers who have renewed consider scheduling a tea for 20-50 in by Mr. Boerner. We wish to publicly the plantings and developed some the Pardee garden. Tables are thank our wonderful benefactor. fabulous new garden areas; and the covered in floral cloths, vases of fresh constant attention and meticulous We hope all the friends and flowers adorn the tops while tea is manicuring of our caretaker, Jose supporters of the museum will take served by the PHM volunteers.