Montgomery Redwoods 2023 and 1894

We took a trip up to Montgomery Redwoods
for CGLHS convention field trip

One of Grace Hudson’s drawings with several preliminary sketches was on display at the Grace Hudson Museum in Ukiah. They were for an Overland Monthly article during Milicent’s editorship - August & September 1892 “Staging in the Mendocino Redwoods part 1 & II”. 

 

Wikimedia

This photo appeared on JSTOR "Who Took the Cocaine out of Coca-Cola?" 

I can't take my eyes off that yellow rose in this Coca-Cola advertisement. If this was an advertisement from the 1890s what rose would that be? "Soleil d'Or" was introduced in 1900. Today we would not be surprised at seeing a yellow rose, but back then roses were generally white, pink, and red. Yellows and oranges came to the rose world after 1900. Perhaps the date on the advertisement is incorrect? Perhaps artistic license?

Hilda Clark is the model.

The preservation of the Armstrong Redwoods in Guerneville

Annals of Horticulture in North America
 for the Years 1889-1893

News in the nation in 1892

Big news in L.H. Bailey's Annals of Horticulture in North America..."A botanic garden for the preservation of California red woods has been established during the year by the donation in trust of 640 acres of red wood timber land in Sonoma county by Col JB Armstrong of Santa Rosa The tract is on the north bank of the Russian river The timber is in a good state of preservation The trustees of the garden are Miss Kate Armstrong daughter of the donor. E J Wickson, Charles H Shinn, Luther Burbank, and Robert U Johnson."

But was this premature news?

The Gnome-Mobile and Armstrong Redwoods and the Shinns

 

[No official pics to avoid Disney problems :O) ]

SOMEWHERE...while searching for the Shinn family's connection with the Armstrong Redwoods in Guerneville, I ran into a reference to the 1967 Disney movie, the Gnome-mobile. Being a fan of the Shinns and gnomes and the redwoods and vintage Disney, I had to find the movie.  

The original book, The Gnomobile: A Gnice Gnew Gnarrative with Gnonsense but Gnothing Gnaughty  was written in 1936 by Upton Sinclair !

The Walt Disney Museum wrote  "Celebrating 50 Years of Riding Along in the Gnome-Mobile" with the background. Upton Sinclair asked Walt to feature the Gnomobile in 1937 and he finally made a movie in 1967. But what inspired Sinclair to write the book in the first place? Kids? Grandkids? What was happening with lumbering in 1937? 

By the way, the Shinn connection was with getting the Armstrong Redwoods protected. A whole other story.

The Late James Shinn

From Pacific Rural Press, Volume 52, Number 20, 14 November 1896, is the obituary of James Shinn.

The Late James Shinn

A name which has an enduring place in the horticultural history of California is that of James Shinn, who died on his farm near Niles, Alameda county, Thursday, October 29, in his ninetieth year. Mr. Shinn was so widely known among the older readers of the Rural Press, and was so highly esteemed for his horticultural work and for the worth and graces of his character, that we are sure a sketch of his life will be welcomed in Rural circles.

Who was the Father of Palms in California?

Where did the statement that John Rock was the "Father of Palms in California" come from? Looks like here and has no references? "Rock is considered the "Father" of palm cultivation in California." 

This is the only place that I've ever heard this. And it doesn't ring true without any supporting docs. Maybe he was the grandson or great-grandson, but not the father.

"Niles Celebrity" - actor William Thorne - I am Batman!

From the 1946 Spanish language catalog

Who is the mystery man in the sombrero?

He is William L. Thorne, AKA "Uncle Bill" to the Roeding family, and part-time Niles resident.

William Thorne (1878-1948) was Elizabeth Thorne's brother.  That's George C. Roeding's wife, Elizabeth, and George C. Roeding Jr.'s "Uncle Bill."

Here are some scraps and bits from his life in an attempt to get the whole picture of his life. Always updated and fact-checked.