Category Archives: Uncategorized

Politics in Nineteenth Century California

Posted on October 20, 2019 by nancyleek

I am working on a presentation for an OLLI class on Local History. (OLLI is the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute — basically retirees teaching other retirees whatever they feel like teaching. It’s a fun and easy way to keep your … Continue reading →

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For California’s Gold

Posted on October 10, 2019 by nancyleek

I enjoy reading historical fiction, but only if I know it is as authentic as possible. Nothing makes me more testy than to have an anachronism intrude into a good story.  I remember one where two young men arrived by … Continue reading →

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Ghosts of Gold Mountain

Posted on October 8, 2019 by nancyleek

Ghosts of Gold Mountain, by Gordon H. Chang, is “the epic story of the Chinese who built the transcontinental railroad,” a book that combines faultless scholarship with compelling storytelling. (published by Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt, 2019; available at your public library.) … Continue reading →

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I’m Back!

Posted on October 8, 2019 by nancyleek

And you probably didn’t even know I was gone. I’ve been silent here for the last couple of weeks because I was on vacation. My husband and I went on a trip to Scotland, to see the land of my … Continue reading →

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Kit Carson

Posted on September 20, 2019 by nancyleek

I have enjoyed riches and suffered the pangs of poverty. I saw General Grant when he was little known. I baked bread for General Fremont and talked to Kit Carson. Nancy Kelsey When Nancy Kelsey was remembering her adventurous life, … Continue reading →

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California Admission Day

Posted on September 8, 2019 by nancyleek

Here’s Cuffy in a cartoon from 1850, reading the news of California’s admission into the Union.  The drawing comes from the Society of California Pioneers, but I don’t know anything else about the source of this picture. The SCP has … Continue reading →

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A Visit to the Haggin Museum

Posted on August 30, 2019 by nancyleek

I travel quite often from our home in Chico to our son’s home in Livermore (because that’s where the grandchildren are). Traveling down I-5 we pass through Stockton. I have never had any reason to stop in Stockton, until I … Continue reading →

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A Quick Visit to Rough and Ready

Posted on August 28, 2019 by nancyleek

If you drive along Highway 20 from Marysville to Grass Valley, you see a sign that points left and says “Rough and Ready 2 miles”. I have meant to take that turn for a long time now, and last Friday … Continue reading →

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August 27, 1847

Posted on August 27, 2019 by nancyleek

John Sutter needed lumber. He was always building — on his fort, around the fort, up at his farm. He also planned to sell lumber to the settlers who were coming into California  in increasing numbers. He needed a sawmill. … Continue reading →

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The Grass Valley Museum

Posted on August 26, 2019 by nancyleek

I don’t think I have to tell California readers that Grass Valley is a beautiful place to visit. Gold Rush history, the homes of Lola Montez and Lotta Crabtree, the historic Holbrooke Hotel, a handsome and well-preserved downtown, a grand … Continue reading →

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