Local woodcarver Byrd Baker and Jacqueline McAndrews in 1976, standing in front of Baker’s Land Rover and Whale Bus with a sign that reads, “Crusade to Save God’s Whales.” Jackie and Byrd were activists in the Mendocino Whale Wars environmental action movement. This photograph, taken from an elevated position, may have been made from the MacCallum House water tower on the south side of Ukiah Street.
Behind them is Baker’s home and studio, known as the Red House and located on the north side of Ukiah Street near the Post Office. Baker lived here from 1975 until at least 1979. According to then MHRB Chair Margo Farrar in 1989, “Byrd Baker lived in the Red House and started the whale war when he was there. He sculpted huge redwood carvings with a chain saw, right out in front of his house. On weekends he’d go down to the Headlands and lecture the tourists. He’d say, ‘God’s whales! You have to help save God’s whales!’”
In the background on the right, the light-colored structure seen on the northwest corner of Calpella and Lansing Streets has a sign on the side of the building that reads, “Mendosa’s Building Materials.” In 1933, this structure (originally built as a saloon and pool hall) was purchased by Mendosa Brothers, who also owned Mendosa’s Market on the east side of Lansing Street. (Photographer: Tom Cahill)
Today! The Whale Festival starts in Mendocino, with wine and chowder tasting around town. Shana Hadley will be on the Kelley House front lawn selling Mayhew prints, cards, and t-shirts. Inside the Kelley House there is a small exhibit about the Whale War. On Saturday, March 15th, the Kelley House and Noyo Center for Marine Science will co-sponsor a panel discussion about the state of the world’s whale population with some of the original Whale Warriors—Heidi Cusick Dickerson, Barry Cusick, Sally and Lee Welty—as well as Shana Hadley and the Noyo Center’s Katherina Audley. At the Kelley House, 4 pm; $7 members, $10 general public.