Four Generations of the Flood-Escola Family in Mendocino, 1948. Four generations starting with Rose Watkins Flood, who is seated in this photo. Standing behind Rose, on the right, is Rose’s daughter, Nannie Flood Escola, and on the left, is Nannie’s daughter, Dorothy Escola Schlafer. Dorothy's son (Rose’s great-grandson) Steve Schlafer, standing in front. Photograph taken in 1948 at the Flood home in Mendocino, located on Pine [...]
Personal Expressions, 1974 In July 1893, construction began on the Kelley Baptist Church building on Ukiah Street. The church was dedicated in June 1894 by the Reverend J. S. Ross, and the building was in use until about 1936. Although it was still owned by Kelley family descendants at that time, the church sat vacant for almost 40 years. Corners of the Mouth, [...]
The Kelley House pays tribute to legendary local ‘70s band Cat Mother and their impact on the Mendocino Coast with a collection of ephemera, albums, artwork, and articles. Cat Mother was an eclectic rock band formed in Greenwich Village, New York in 1967. They toured with Jimi Hendrix who co-produced their first album which featured the hit "Good Old Rock N Roll" in 1969. By 1970 [...]
As I was strolling through Hillcrest Cemetery the other day, I counted up all the languages spoken by the people buried there. In the early days, immigrants came to the Mendocino Coast from nearly every corner of the world, leaving behind their mother lands, but bringing with them their mother tongues. Judging from the birthplaces inscribed in the tombstones in Hillcrest, you could have heard snatches [...]
Big River Mill Crew, 1910. Cropped from a framed panoramic photograph of the Mendocino Lumber Company employees at Big River. The cookhouse is the building on the far right. Left to Right: Russell Anderson, John Larson, unidentified, unidentified, Ted Hanson, Frank Pacheco, Joe Brown, Charlie Escola, Louie Larsen, Joe Caroll, Frank Corria, Joe King Sr., Tony Fraga, John Silveria, Arthur Mathews Silva, Sam Bever, Frank [...]
Schooners in Mendocino Harbor, 1865. Two sailing ships at the Mendocino shipping point are being loading with lumber. A lighter, or loading boat, is in the water near the apron chutes on the right. Kent's Point (later Chapman's Point) is visible in the background. (Kelley House Collection, Kelley House Photographs) In the Spring of 1884, the Mendocino Lumber Company hired Captain J. Palmer, an [...]
Two women and a man, holding on to each other, as they cross over Jughandle trestle above Jughandle Creek, c. 1890. There was no roadway on top, only rails and ties, so it was scary business walking out on it. Nonetheless, people did, as this photograph shows. (Gift of Verda Wakerley Winney, Harry J. Wakerley Collection, Kelley House Photographs) The Jughandle Creek trestle was [...]
BIG RIVER BRIDGE – built in 1861 as a toll bridge, this span replaced the ferry operated by P. S. Palmstream. It became a free bridge in 1878 when the people voted to raise their taxes and buy it so they did not have to pay to cross it. Tolls at that time: Wagon and six animals, 50 cents; with four, 30 cents; with two, 25 [...]
Intersection of Main and Lansing Streets, 1957. Traffic signs at the intersection of Main and Lansing Streets in Mendocino, looking eastward. At the time this photo was taken, Lansing Street was Highway 1 through town. The pine tree visible on the right side in this intersection was planted by Dr. Russell Preston (1878-1954), and in 1965 it became the community Christmas tree with lights and ornaments. [...]
Monday, July 4th. HOURS: 11AM - 3PM Celebrate the Fourth of July on the Kelley House Lawn! Our biggest fundraiser is back after a two year hiatus. Dance to live music from the Mixed Nuts and watch the parade. Food will be courtesy of Miss KJ’s Bangin’ Bites food truck, serving street tacos, corn, fruit and churros. We’ll be selling margaritas, sangria, beer from North Coast [...]