Ridge Route Communities Historical Society and Museum

LOCAL HISTORY PUBLICATIONS
	GATEWAYS TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA By John W. Robinson Almost all overland passage to Southern California population centers was, and still is, funneled through a small number of passes. North to south these passages are Tehachapi, Tejon, San Fernando, Cajon, and San Gorgonio passes, the Carrizo-Vallecito Corridor and San Diego's Mountain Springs Grade. This book is about the history of these gateways to Southern California.- 489pgs Hardbound $62
	A VIEW FROM THE RIDGE ROUTE: The First People By Bonnie Ketterl Kane Illustrated by Susan Sjoberg Hollander Volume I - introduces the reader to the native peoples of the San Emigdio Mountains of Southern California. It gives an overview of what life might have been like for these early people, the influence that the Spanish explorers, the missions, the trappers and traders had on them, and the local reservation the surviving Indians were moved to. 7 X 10, black & white illustrated paperback, 177 pgs - $15
	A VIEW FROM THE RIDGE ROUTE: The Fort Tejon Era By Bonnie Ketterl Kane Illustrated by Susan Sjoberg Hollander Volume II - is about the founding of Fort Tejon in 1854. The Fort was located at the top of Grapevine Canyon between the Tehachapi and the San Emigdio Mountains of Southern California, along the major roadway of that time. The book includes military, civic and social activities at and around the Fort, the huge earthquake of 1857, the government's camel experiment, the arrival of the telegraph and then the closing of Fort Tejon due to the Civil War. 7 X 10, black & white illustrated paperback, 206 pgs - $15
	A VIEW FROM THE RIDGE ROUTE: The Ranchos By Bonnie Ketterl Kane Illustrated by Susan Sjoberg Hollander Volume III - is a collection of information and stories about the rise and fall of the Mexican Ranchos and how the Mexican land grants of San Emigdio and El Tejon came to be what they are today. Included is information on the first major industry of the area, sheep raising, the transition to cattle with stories of the vaqueros and bandidos of the late 1800's as well. 7 X 10, black & white illustrated paperback, 294 pgs - $18
	A VIEW FROM THE RIDGE ROUTE: The Resources By Bonnie Ketterl Kane Illustrated by Susan Sjoberg Hollander Volume IV - Part One explores the variety of mining activities that took place, and are still taking place, in the San Emigdio Mountains, especially those of the elusive Los Padres gold and silver mines. Part Two covers the establishment of the National Forest, the U.S. Forest Service, early fire fighting techniques, lookout tower experiences, hunting, snow rescues and airplane crashes. Part Three gives the history of the building of aqueducts and reservoirs through the area. 7 X 10, black & white illustrated paperback, 386 pgs - $22
	RIDGE ROUTE: The Road That United California By Harrison Irving Scott A detailed history of the Ridge Route Road between Los Angeles and Bakersfield. Mr. Scott's collection of actual stories and photos of the road, and places along the road, is unprecedented. Numerous interview of people from the past fill the pages of this book. 6 X 9, black & white illustrated hardback, 326 pgs - $25
	HEAP OF LIVIN': Memoirs From the Mountains of Southern California By Dolores Mckenzie Atmore Gentry Transcribed by Eloise A. Richer and Bonnie Ketterl Kane Mrs. Gentry writes the true story of three generations of her family, the wagon train from Texas to the homestead on Tejon Ranch in Southern California. At age fifteen, she unknowingly marries the leader of an outlaw gang of cowboys and is left to prove up his desert claim. For years her only friends are the Joshua trees and a cowboy at a neighboring ranch. (prose & poetry) Here is an excerpt 8½ X 11, black & white illustrated paperback, 397 pgs - $20
	HOMESTEADERS HEYDAY By William deLancy with additional excerpts by Lewis C. Plush Edited by Bonnie Ketterl Kane and Louella Plush Lee Mr. deLancey wrote a series of articles for a New York newspaper about homesteading in the Lockwood Valley of Southern California in the 1920. This is a collection of those articles which gives excellent insight to what life was like in that area at that time. Stories include the wildlife and hunting as well as the social life and people of the Valley then. 8½ X 11, black & white illustrated paperback, 101 pgs - $12
	MINES, MURDERS & GRIZZLIES: Tales of California's Ventura Back Country By Charles F. Outland This is a light hearted and entertaining book based on research in the early newspapers of the day. Many of the stories take place in the Lockwood Valley of eastern Ventura County. 6 X 9, black & white illustrated paperback, 151 pgs - $16
	CUDDY CATTLE DRIVE: Frazier Mountain to Lancaster - 1921 By William de Lancey Transcribed by Bonnie Ketterl Kane An actual story of this cattle drive recorded by Bill de Lancey who helped out. The cattle are gathered in Cuddy Valley in the San Emigdio Mountains of Southern California and driven through Gorman, along the old Ridge Route Road - "as traffic whipped by at high speeds", through the Antelope Valley, to Fairmont where problems arise and on to the railroad at Lancaster. 5½ X 8½, black & white illustrated paperback, 20 pgs - $2
	A FLOWER WATCHERS GUIDE By Milt Stark Mr. Stark has photo'd and thoroughly described the many wildflowers on the Western Mojave Desert and the Antelope Valley. The book is written for people with no botanical knowledge who happen to be curious about the common name of the California wildflowers they see along the road or trail. 5½ X 9½, color illustrated paperback, 158 pgs - $16 + $2 mailing
	THE TRACKERS FIELD GUIDE By James C. Lowry This guide is arranged as a reference of common wild animal information and pictures. It has pictures of tracks as well as a lot of information on traits of the animal type. It can be invaluable to people in the field as they discover their visitors of the night. 6 x 9 Black & white illustrated paperback, 408 pgs -$20 (More info)
	HEAP OF EATIN' By the Ridge Route Communities Historical Society Members This is a collection of recipes by old-timers and new-comers to the Frazier Mountain area. Recipes such as "Granny's Zucchini pickles", "Chuck Wagon Beans" and "Alberta's Boiled Spice Cake" grace the pages. Historic photos serve as dividers for the eight sections of the cook book. 6 X 9, black & white illustrated, hardbound, 122 pages - $10
	THE ART OF GATHERING AND MAKING ELDERBERRY JAM By Bonnie Ketterl Kane The small booklet is a guide to identifying, gathering and preparing and making elderberry jam. This precious berry has been a source of food since the beginning of time. The jam has somewhat of a natural or wild taste unlike the sugary jams of today. The author also urges readers to plant an elderberry bush to preserve this dying breed of bush, and as well because the birds and bears love them! 5 X 7, color illustrated paperback, 12 pgs- $3.50
	SAGA OF RANCHO EL TEJON By Frank Forrest Latta This reprint of the 1970's publication is a classic for local residents who live in and around Tejon Ranch, and for those interested in the history of early ranching in the mountains of Southern California. The author, Frank Latta, spent years interviewing the majordomo of Rancho El Tejon, Jose Jesus Lopez, to gather this unprecedented collection of historic events of the transition from the Mexican Land Grants to Ranchos of the late 1800's. . Paperback 293 pages - $25
	EL CAMINO VIEJO A' LOS ANGELES By Frank Forrest Latta In "EL CAMINO VIEJO" author, Frank Latta, has recorded the history of the first inland trail between Los Angeles and points north. Beginning as a Native American trail the Spanish began to use it as early as the 1600's when traveling from their settlements of Santa Fe (NM) and Monterey (CA). In California, the route passed through the Antelope Valley, Gorman, Frazier Park, Cuddy Valley and to the north through San Emigdio Canyon. 25 pgs plus map $13
	CHUMASH ETHNOBOTANY - Plant knowledge Among the Chumash People of Southern California. By Jan Timbrook From islands off the shore of Santa Barbara to the chaparral covered mountains of the dry inland regions, the land of the Chumash is a storehouse of plants, an area of great biological richness and variety. Living intimately within this land for more than nine thousand years, the Chumash developed an intense and sophisticated relationship with the plants around them. They collected and processed nuts, seeds, berries, roots, leaves, twigs, shoots, and wood from which they created practically everything they needed to live, from medicines to weapons to decorative items. This book - is the result of three decades of research in archives and among native people. 6x9, color illustrated, paperback 271 pgs $28.00
	THE CHUMASH By Liz Sonneborn Part of the Native American History series. For thousands of years the Chumash people have made their home on California's rich coast. Their story is one of survival and strength. Forced to work in Spanish missions in the 1700's, the Chumash lost much of their original way of life. Their struggle continued in the 1800's, when the Chumash land fell under Mexican control and they faced oppression, poverty, and homelessness. After many years of hardship, the Chumash have regained some of their traditions. Many still live in their native homelande, and they look forward to the future with optimism and pride. 7x9, color illustrated, paperback 56 pgs. $9.00
	THE WORRY STONE By Marianna Dengler The Worry Stone is three tales woven together, the way human lives are connected despite distance and time. It pays homage to the first people of California's Ojai Valley, the Chumash Indians, and the power of folktales spoken aloud. 9 x 11 color illustrated, hardback, 34 pgs - $16
	DAWN TO DUSK By Florence Hollenbeck Cuddy A collection of poems written by this very sensitive and creative woman about her life in the early 1900's in and between Lebec, California and the Cuddy Ranch in Western Ventura County. Especially moving is her ode to her husband, John - the first Forest Ranger in these mountains. 5 X 9, black & white, no illustrations, paperback, 27 pgs - $2
	FIELD GUIDE TO THE SAN ANDREAS FAULT By David Lynch This is a comprehensive display of the San Andreas fault starting from the bottom up to the end in northern California and there are numerous examples of what to look for on the way. Available in either book or CD.	Book $34
		CD $17
OVERVIEWS OF LOCAL HISTORY
	THE COMMUNITIES ALONG THE RIDGE ROUTE - $7
	THE FORT TEJON ERA - $3
	SANDBERG SUMMIT HOTEL - $4
	A CHRONOLOGY: Of the Greater Frazier Mountain Area - $4
	PETER LEBEC: Mountain Mystery Man - $3

OTHER PUBLICATIONS AND GIFT ITEMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE MUSEUM STORE PUBLICATIONS MAY BE ORDERED BY GROUND MAIL SO THAT A CHECK OR MONEY ORDER CAN BE INCLUDED RRCM&HS POB 684 Frazier Park, CA 93225

This is the place to find "Books, Photos, Apparel and Gadgets" all of which are now available from the gift shop in our museum. Also available is a vast collection of research material for all who are interested in our local history. All these items are available for purchase online through PayPal. Otherwise, please visit our museum or order by calling the museum at 661-245-7747 during museum hours. Our friendly personnel will be more than happy to take your order and process it as soon as possible!
CURRENTLY FEATURED BOOK
	Governor Joseph Gale and His Indian First Lady - Oregon's First Governor By Lillian Cummings Densley & Aaron G. Densley From the book I learned that Joseph Gale was quite a character. In his 74 years, he was not only the First Governor of Oregon, he was an explorer, a fur trapper, builder and captain of the schooner “Star of Oregon”. He was a gold miner (49er) and a scout-guide for the Union Army. Gale was a hay farmer (here in the Ft. Tejon area, which is how his daughter met John Cuddy). He was a ferryman on the Kern River . Formerly called Gordon's Ferry, the crossing came to be known as Gale's Ferry. In his 60's he finally settled down as a farmer in Eagle Valley , Oregon ; growing vegetables and fruit. Gale became the first Postmaster of New Bridge, Oregon. He turned to politics and took on causes such as the eligibility of “half-breeds” to citizenship. Many of his descendants live in Oregon to this day. 7 X 10, black & white illustrated hardback, 184 pgs - $38
	GROWING UP IN WHEELER RIDGE Stories by Robert M. Dorsey This collection of stories gives the reader a wonderful glimpse into life in the 1940's in a small roadside town that once sat along Highway 99 in Central California . Author, Robert Dorsey, has been very honest about his family life and adventures as a child and teenager. It is amazing what was dreamed up to entertain a youngster in those days. The World War II experiences are very real as well. The little community of Wheeler Ridge – no longer there – was located just north of Grapevine Canyon at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley. 60pgs Softcover $8 More..
	LOST HOTELS on California's Historic Ridge Route. By Harrison Irving Scott This is a paperback "Coffee Table" book having 120 pages with 100 pictures. Some of the pictures have never been published before. The book covers Hotel Lebec, the Gorman Hotel, Sandberg's Summit Hotel, the National Forest Inn, the Tumble Inn and the French Village in Newhall. The French Village although not on the Ridge Route was constructed by the family that built the National Forest Inn and the Tumble Inn. In addition to the pictures, a brief synopsis is given regarding the history of each site. 120 pgs - $22 Shipping free.