HISTORY
The Links below lead to Historical information for Cascadel Woods,
North Fork and nearby areas. If you have other useful Links, please
E-mail the URL to: Webmaster - Harvey M. Fischer
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cascadel Woods Archives
Interview with Bill Ellis - 1965
Letter from June English - 1968
Cascadel Pines Recreation Area - Circa 1980
Cascadel Ranch Brochure - Circa 1940
Letter from Barbara Turrell - 1992
Interview with Andy & Muriel Encinas - 1992

 

 

 

 

 

 






Cascadel PO was opened 4 miles east of North Fork P.O. in 1892 and closed in 1896; it was named for Cascadel Ranch on Whisky Creek, which in turn was named for Cascadel Point.

 
note from - Madera County Gazetteer

 

 

 

 






Off Hwy 41, 4½ miles from Yosemite Forks on Northeast shore of lake. PO at Pines Village opened in 1912. A dam flooded Crane Valley in 1895 and was enlarged in 1910. It was named after the reservoir was stocked with bass.

note from - Madera County Gazetteer
more on Crane Valley

 

 

 

 

 




On the south shore of Bass Lake near the dam and the Minaret and Western Railroad. The Wishon P.O. was opened in 1923. The name commemorates A. Emory Wishon of San Joaquin Light and Power Corporation, later vice president of Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

note from - Madera County Gazetteer

 


 

 

 

 



  North Fork Journal      
Page 4 10-3-68    
 
  THE HISTORY of NORTH FORK  
    by bud klette
Part XI    
 
 

Probably the greatest problem that faces anyone doing a historical column are the differences of opinion that you find while doing your research. sometimes the writer is dependent upon the memory of persons who were present at the time. In other cases, he must study yellowed newspaper clippings and records, some of which are not any too accurate either. In both cases, stories can be colored or discolored by personal prejudices and feeling of the speaker or writer.

 

As an example, I recently attended a meeting at which four old timers, two in their 70's and two in their 90's, almost came to blows over a certain event. All four had been present, but had a different story to tell.

 

To do a job, the writer must take some facts, and leave others. He must consider his sources and try to hit a medium. But some times, he seems to fail.

 

The enclosed letter from Mrs. June English, of Fresno is Interesting because of her differences of opinion regarding certain events that took place many years ago. We are printing it in its entirety and hope it will be interesting to any student of this area.

 
Dear Mr. Klette:
 

Thank you for sending the back issues of the JOURNAL. I'm enclosing payment for same, plus postage. I'm sorry you didn't have an extra copy of Chap. 1. of your story on North Fork.

 
 

One of these days when you and I both have the time, I will prove to you that Browns was the "deadfall" and small store as well as voting precinct of Herrick N. Brown, at Cascadel. He built the first store, planted the apple orchard, and later sold it all to Charles Strivens. Strivens was the son-in-law of William Parker, of Sycamore, on the San Joaquin.

 

Herrick was the brother of Billy Brown and the half brother of Walter Brown who had a saloon at Fresno Flats. I know the source of your information, but his is reminiscence while my material is documentary.

 

Hugh Graham or Grahame, of the Mariposa Batallion, was the earliest permanent resident of record in the North Fork region. He, Joe Kinsman, and others had quicksilver claims, and he evidently continued to stay there.

 

Herrick, Walter and Billy Brown, were sons of Jerry Brown who was the first settler on what is now known as the Wide Awake or Hildreth Ranch. Jerry Brown sold out to Ernphrey Hildreth in 1866 or 1867.

 

As I told you before, I do a lot research. History is a lot of fun and the early history of this region is fascinating.

 

Thanks for the information and the chuckles.

 
Sincerely,
 
Signed; June English