Big Pine 1

Big Pine in the early 1900s

All photo cards on this page courtesy of Rich McCutchan archives unless otherwise noted.
The photographs of early residents are from two personal scrapbooks of Big Pine residents which Rich recently acquired.

Main Street Big Pine Circa 1900

Some of the residents of Big Pine, circa 1910.

Top row (L to R):	Frank Inman, Bertha Chrysler Inman, Great Aunt Libly Hamilton (Grandma's sister), Grandpa Chrysler, Grandma Chrysler, Aunt Clara Mitchell, Aunt Alice Robinson, Bob Roginson, Ester Tate (Mother), Thomas Tate (father), Mary Smith with Fay Smith on her lap, Bud Smith (with flag)
Bottom row (L to R):	Howard Smith (with hat), Eloa Tate, Dorothy Inman with Clarice Tate in front of her (with curls), Robert Smith with Enid Robinson in front of him, Bessa Robinson, Dot Robinson (Wilson), Gerte (Mitchell) Smith, Alvina Smith (young girl on Aunt Clara's lap), George Mitchell, Bertha Mitchell, Mark Mitchell, Robert Smith (Gertie's son)
Front row (L to R): (Middle of picture)	Frank Mitchell, Bernice Mitchell, Mildred Mitchell

Leo LeGoy of Reno, Nevada writes

Ray,

What a surprise!

In looking at the presentation "Big Pine in the early 1900s", I found a picture of a large family. It was so
small on your page I really did not look at it too much. I did, however, read the caption. Surprise, among the names listed was that of my mother. The picture was headed with "Some of the residents of Big Pine, circa 1910".

Your notation of circa 1910 must be close to correct as my mother (Enid Robinson) appears to be about 12 years old. She was born in 1898 which would fit closely, I'm sure.

Among she and two of her sisters: Bessa Robinson and Dot (Willson) Robinson are both my grandparents: H. H. Bob Robinson and my great grandparents Joseph Freeman Chrysler and wife Jane. It is the first picture I
have ever seen of my great grandparents.

Most of the names of these in the picture I have heard and some I knew but some I cannot make the connection. I know I am related to all of them but I do not know all the abc's.

I am Leo Robert LeGoy and am 79 years old. I live in Reno, Nevada

Do you have any other pictures or stories about the Robinsons, Mitchells, Smiths or Tates?

Thanks for helping me put these people together.

Bob

(July 2004)

"The First High Horse Trip"[pdf]
by Anita Day Hubbard

Glimpses of Big Pine residents

Aunt Edith and Russell(dog)	Big Pine flume iced over in the winter.	Henry Bartels (top) and Robert Smith
Chicken farming in Big Pine.	George Crocker	Jake Miller in Rossie's butcher shop.

"Paiute Life"[pdf]
by Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins

Cowboys, Packers and Pioneers

Joe Valdez

Johnny Valdez and family

May Crowell Smith

Marnee Durgin writes:

Ray,

I just wanted to thank you for running such an awesome website on Owens Valley History. I am a student at Cal State Long Beach working on my teaching degree and had to give a presentation on the plight of the Valley residents as a result of the Aqueduct being built. The information and pictures you provided were invaluable! Needless to say, I received an A+ on my presentation and everyone was impressed. My husband and I own some property in Cartago and the Owens Valley has always interested me.

On a side note, while searching your website, I believe I found a possible long lost ancestor! May Crowell Smith was featured in your Early Big Pine section and she is the spitting image of my father's side of the family. I showed the picture to my mother and she looked May's name up in our family book. There is a May Crowell in our book who's lifetime fits the time frame given in your site. We are curious as to where you got the picture of her from. If you have that information, would it be possible for you to forward it to us so we can continue our family history research? I know my mother would be eternally grateful to you if you have any information on May or her family that could help us out.

Thank you again for making such a wonderful resource available. I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Marnee Durgin
May 2004

Pete Garner packing up.

Pete Garner with guest.

Sarah, Pete Garner and Gwen

Unknown Big Pine resident

Unknown Big Pine resident

Unknown Big Pine residents

"The High Sierra: the Journey Ends"[pdf]
by Willie Chalfant

	One Packer's High Sierra Experience
	Vintage Eastern High Sierra Brochures
	Cerro Gordo
	More, Early Big Pine
	Early Bishop Residents
	Mary Austin

Sign Guest Book	The Pigmy Packer		View Guest Book
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This page was last updated on 25 August 2007