Adventure 173-Capture A Squirrel

The squirrel and Sherri

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 173-Capture A Squirrel

Team: YOLT

Date:  October 31, 2013

Location: Fresno

Description:
Our house and the park close by us is littered with squirrels. So how hard can it be to shot a squirrel-that is with a camera? Well it isn't. So why did it take so long to capture one? Well, when some things are too easy, you put it off. So this afternoon, Sherri and Gary had the realization that we needed to do this. So we went for a walk and shot our squirrel.

Adventure 005, Hike 066-Lewis Eaton Trail

Sherri at the end of the Lewis Eaton Trail

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 005, Hike 066-Lewis Eaton Trail

Team: YOLT

Date:  October 29, 2013

Location: Woodward Park, Fresno

Hike Info:

Trail: Lewis Eaton Trail

Distance: 5.0 miles

Duration: 1:20 Moving

Elevation Rise: 140'

Description:
It is late, actually almost dark when we start to walk this trail. But it is paved so this is not a problem. Several people, like us, are wrapping up training for this weekend Two Cities Marathon. The trail has small rolling hills with some flat ways. It goes on the bluffs above the San Joaquin River. We walk most of it before turning around.

Adventure 082-Lemur

Sherri and her three lemurs

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 082-Lemur

Team: YOLT

Date:  October 18, 2013

Location: Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Fresno

Description:
The Fresno Chaffee Zoo has a rich history of bringing nature to Fresno. Even when our children were small, there was elephants to see, lions to watch, flamingos to find, and lemurs to laugh at. So when we saw this adventure, we said it was time to take advantage of our Zoo pass and see our lemurs. The Chaffee Zoo currently two types of lemurs: Red-Ruff and the Ring-tailed. The zoo has one ring-tailed in a cage, frankly looking a bit lonely. But the three red-ruffed lemurs were lounging around, enjoying the cool morning sun. Later on in the day, they will run around their island.

Red-Ruff Lemur

RingTailed Lemu

 

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Adventure 220, Event 06-Fall Colors

Sherri Kicking Up Leaves

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 220, Event 06-Fall Colors

Happy FACEBOOK FRIDAY! Enjoy this beautiful fall day by jumping or crunching in a pile of leaves!

Team: YOLT

Date:  October 18, 2013

Location: Woodward Park, Fresno

Description:
Fall may be in the air throughout the great state of California, but someone forgot to tell Fresno that! We went to two of our city's major parks, Roeding and Woodward and experienced the finest weather Fresno has to give. But there was nary a leaf fallen there. Either the groundskeepers are doing a spectacular job of raking or we still have several more weeks of fine weather before we see leaves falls.

So you do what you can and let your inner child come out and stomp and kick around what leaves you can find, enjoying our fine warm weather.

Adventure: 003, Site 097-SITE OF FIRST JUNIOR COLLEGE IN CALIFORNIA

Sherri at the Site of the First JC in California

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 003, Site 097-SITE OF FIRST JUNIOR COLLEGE IN CALIFORNIA

California Landmark Number: 803

Team: YOLT

Date:  October 18, 2013

Location:

Coordinates: N 36° 44.530 W 119° 47.385

Address: Stanislaus St. & O S, Fresno

Description:
Last year when we playing Capture California, we searched high and low for this plaue, but could not find it. There used to be a car dealership at this site after it was finished with its educational function. But about ten years ago, Fresno Unified school District re-established the education component to the site and made the site into an Adult School.

Original Fresno High Cornor Stone-Predated Fresno JC

But what happened to the California Historical Landmark plaque? We asked a local history person who is a friend of ours where we would find it. He told us to go inside the school and there is a plaque there. Sure enough, this year we found a plaque stating this site was California's First Junior College. But this was not the California plaque. We asked the staff at the site and no one knew. So we submitted this current historical plaque.

NO. 803 SITE OF FIRST JUNIOR COLLEGE IN CALIFORNIA - Constructed in 1895, the school was known as Fresno High School from 1895-1921. Established as the first junior college of California in 1910, in 1911 it became a normal school, forerunner to Fresno State College. From 1921 to 1948 it was called Fresno Technical High School, and Fresno Junior College from 1948 to 1959. Plaque placed by the Fresno Tech Alumni Association.
Location: NE corner of intersection of Stanislaus and 'O'Sts, Fresno

Current Plaque On Site Reads:

• The Plaque Reads:
  Historical Landmark Commemorating
  Fresno Technical School
  Constructed 1895
  Known as The Fresno High School
  from 1895-1921
  Established As The First Junior College of California 1910
  Normal School, Forerunner To
  Fresno State College
  1911 Fresno Technical High School
  1921 - 1948
  Fresno Junior College
  1948 to 1959
  Fresno Tech Alumni Assn.

References:

• Wikipedia
  
• Noehill
  
• Waymarking
  
• California State Historical Landmarks
  
  

Overall Landmark References:

• David Schmitt's California State Historical Landmark (Schmitt)
  
• State of California's California Historical Landmarks (CHL)
  
• Wikipedia: California State Landmarks (WCSL)
  
• State of California Historical Resources (CHR)
  
• Noehill (NOE)
  
• Historical Marker Database (HMDB)
  
• WayMarking (WAY)
  

Adventure 117-Mushrooms

Mushrooms and Flag

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 117-Mushrooms

Team: YOLT

Date:  October 12, 2013

Location: Fresno

Description:
Mushrooms, they grow everywhere, even in Fresno where it is warm. What kind of mushrooms are these? We do not know and we are not eating them.

Adventure 008, Doggie 04 – Walk around Neighborhood

Twittering Tuesday Walk with Ritto at University Park

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 008, Doggie 04 – Walk around Neighborhood

Team: YOLT
Date:  September 17, 2013
Location: University Park, Fresno


Description:
Team YOLT loves to take their dog Ritto for a walk.  When we were doing the Twitter Tuesday on walking into the Day’s End we thought why not take our dog.  It was a win-win situation.   We walked to one of Ritto’s favorite places.  We did a lap around a park  in our neighborhood.  What better way to end a day in Fresno that was only in the 80’s.

Adventure 221, Event 4 – Day's End Walk

Ritto, Sherri, Flag in park at sunset

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 221, Event 4 – Day's End Walk

Team: YOLT
Date:  September 17, 2013
Location: Fresno


Description:
We almost missed the Day's End Walk. Sort of hard to blame on work or too hurried of a schedule since we are retired. But just more we do a lot of fun stuff and sometimes that crowds out the occasional requirements of life, such as Capture California.

But what we did was to do a walk around our neighborhood to our local park, enjoying the setting sun, walking our dog and talking with our daughter. Of course, something which was enjoyable is the evening air was only in the upper 70's—pretty cool for Fresno at this time of year.

Adventure 003, Site 063-Liberty Theater

In Front of the Liberty Theater

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 003, Site 063-Liberty Theater
Local Registry ID: 171


Team: YOLT
Date:  September 15, 2013
Location:

Address: 944 Van Ness Avenue, Fresno

Description:
Date Built: 1917
Architect: W. D. Coates & H. B. Traver


The Liberty Theater opened in November 27, 1917 with a showing of “When A Man Sees Red”. Most recently, it housed the Spanish Evangelical Church. But in May 2011, the Grand Old Opry came to town and played here. So whether Fresnans know the theater as Liberty, Hardy or the Mexicalian, it has seen some pretty classing productions.

Liberty Theater

Liberty Theater (1917)

944 Van Ness Avenue
W. D. Coates & H. B. Traver, Architects
Renaissance Revival

The oldest surviving movie theater in Fresno, the building still displays signage for all three of its names: Liberty, Hardy's, and Mexico.






References:

• Guide to Historic Fresno
  
• Cinema Treasures
  
• KFSR FundRaiser
  

Overall Landmark References:

• Guide to Historic Fresno
  

Adventure 003, Site 058-Fresno Republican Printery

Sherri in front of the Printery

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 003, Site 058-Fresno Republican Printery
National Registry of Historic Places ID: 79000474
Local Registry ID: 5


Team: YOLT
Date:  September 15, 2013
Location:

Coordinates: 36°44′01″N, 119°47′11″W

Address: 2130 Kern Street, Fresno

Description:
Date Built: 1919
Architect: Glass & Butner,



Last year, we found out that Fresno at one time had two thriving newspapers. That the Republican was a mover and shaker in this town—to the point where its editorials helped to ferment the Free Speech demostrations and massacre—one the side of business. Even William Sarayon was involved with the Republican-delivering newspapers.

The Building

Last year the building housed the Kern Coffee House and the Downtown Club. Both establishments have been disolved-even though the Downtown Club may have new life as an open eating establishment, rather than a private club. For more on the building, see last year's blog.

Fresno Republican Printery (1919)

2130 Kern Street
Glass & Butner, Architects
Mediterranean Revival

The Fresno Republican Printery building was designed to accommodate the job printing division of the Fresno Morning Republican newspaper. Published from 1876 until 1932, the Republican was a major force in the social, cultural, and publishing history of early California. Control of the printery later was assumed by William Glass, and then in 1925 by Leon Camy. Changing technology eventually rendered the printery obsolete, and it was closed in the 1970s. In 1982 the building was converted into a private dining facility known as the Downtown Club.






References:

• Guide to Historic Fresno
  
• NoeHill
  
• National Registry of Historic Places: Documentation and Pictures
  
• Fresno Republican site
  

Overall Landmark References:

• National Registry of Historical Places (NRHP)
  
• NoeHill (NOE)
  
• Guide to Historic Fresno
  

Adventure 003, Site 064-Kern Kay Hotel

In front of Kern-Kay Hotel

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 003, Site 064-Kern Kay Hotel
Local Registry ID: 172


Team: YOLT
Date:  September 15, 2013
Location:

Coordinates: 36°44'2"N 119°47'16"W

Address: 906-912 Van Ness Avenue

Description:
Date Built: 1912
Architect: H. A. Hansen, Builder



Not much can we say about this building, except that it was looking pretty well maintained. Saw in one report from a few years ago that it had a 20% vacancy rate—pretty low for this area of town. Now the one mystery is way the name Kern-Kay? But after thinking about it, it became obvious. It is located at the corner of Kern and Van Ness Strees. Van Ness is between J and L streets. Obviously Van Ness was K St at one time.

Kern-Kay Hotel

Kern Kay Hotel (1912)

906-912 Van Ness Avenue
H. A. Hansen, Builder
Commercial Brick

This early downtown rooming house was adapted for use as a commercial office building.









References:

• Guide to Historic Fresno
  

Overall Landmark References:

• Guide to Historic Fresno
  

Adventure 003, Site 084-F.K. Prescott Home

Prescott House and Sherri

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 003, Site 084-F.K. Prescott Home
Local Registry ID: 129


Team: YOLT
Date:  September 15, 2013
Location:

Address: 2983 Tulare Street, Fresno, CA

Description:
Date Built: 1906
Architect: Eugene Mathewson
When comparing this house, with the Martin which is right across the street, you are left with a mixed bag. At one time, the Prescott house must have been spectacular with its brick work and columns. But now, it still shows its dignity, but like an aging actress with a facelift, you sort of think about what the building once was. It currently is the Palm Funeral and Cremations building.


This ended Sherri and Gary's Sunday walking tour of the St John's Cathedral historical district. What a good time it was. We got a walk in and gained a little bit of insight into Fresno's past.

2983 Tulare Street
Eugene Mathewson, Architect
Colonial Revival

This home was built for F. K. Prescott, a pioneer in the Fresno lumber industry. It is one of grandest and most imposing houses from a period when downtown was still a major residential area. Unfortunately, the home has been severely modified with a sliding aluminum entry door and two very unsympathetic additions. The building has for many years been used as a mortuary.






References:

• Guide to Historic Fresno
  

Overall Landmark References:

• Guide to Historic Fresno
  

Adventure 003, Site 83-Martin Home

Sherri and the Martin House

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 003, Site 83-Martin Home
Local Registry ID: 133


Team: YOLT
Date:  September 15, 2013
Location:

Address: 1002 T Street, Fresno CA

Description:
Date Built: 1912
Architect: Lee Duncan


So what do you do with a stately older home? You turn it into a mortuary. In this case it is one of the better known mortuaries in Fresno, Yost and Webb. We do not enter, but look at what used to be the main enterance and enjoy the view of the house.

Martin Home (1912)

1002 T Street
Lee Duncan, Designer
Craftsman Bungaloid

This is one of the largest homes in the "bungalow" style in Fresno. It is a particularly fine example of the use of river rock as a decorative element. Such "natural" decorative features were a common element of Craftsman design. This home has been a mortuary since 1960.



References:

• Guide to Historic Fresno
  

Overall Landmark References:

• Guide to Historic Fresno
  

Adventure 003, Site 062-Hotel California

Sign and Sherri

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 003, Site 062-Hotel California
National Registry of Historic Places ID: 04000333
Local Registry ID: 174


Team: YOLT
Date:  September 15, 2013
Location:

Coordinates: 36°44′03″N, 119°47′17″W

Address: 851 Van Ness, Fresno, CA

Description:
Date Built: 1923
Architect: R. F. Felchlin & H. Rafael Lake



This building is one of those sights you see throughout the downtown area of Fresno It pokes its head through the trees or down a street. The hotel which used to be the place to be in Fresno, now is only remanent of its former self. To know more about it, see our blog from last year.

Hotel California

Hotel California (1923)

851 Van Ness Avenue
R. F. Felchlin & H. Rafael Lake, Architects
Italian Renaissance Revival

The Hotel California was constructed in downtown Fresno as a luxury hotel for city visitors and as a meeting place for city residents. Designed by H. Rafael Lake and constructed by R. F. Felchlin & Company, the building immediately became a symbolic landmark for the growing prosperity of the City of Fresno. In the ensuing years, the Hotel Californian gained a reputation as the best hotel between San Francisco and Los Angeles, and hosted many famous individuals and important events. It remains emblematic of Fresno’s prosperity in the 1920s and is an outstanding example of the type of development that occurred in California’s Central Valley cities wishing to promote a strong sense of their success and urbanization during this period.

Back of the Hotel California

References:

• Guide to Historic Fresno
  
• Wikipedia
  
• NoeHill
  
• National Registry of Historic Places: Documentation and Pictures
  

Overall Landmark References:

• State of California Historical Resources (CHR)
  
• National Registry of Historical Places (NRHP)
  
• NoeHill (NOE)
  
• Guide to Historic Fresno
  

Adventure 003, Site 082-Gundelfinger Home

Gundelfinger House and Sherri

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 003, Site 082-Gundelfinger Home
Local Registry ID: 132


Team: YOLT
Date:  September 15, 2013
Location:

Address: 1020 T Street, Fresno, CA

Description:
Date Built: 1910



As we get closer to the end of the St Johns Cathederal walking tour, we now come to some of the more classier homes. The previous house on the tour, the Goldman House, and now this one shows a couple graceful columns. While not quite as elegant house of a house as the Goldman house, it is still a pretty nice looking one. By the way, there are three different Gundelfinger Homes in Fresno, all on the local registery. This one is our first.

Gundelfinger Home (1910)

1020 T Street
Prairie, Colonial Revival influence

Built for Henry Gundelfinger, a prominent business and civic leader in Fresno for many years.









References:

• Guide to Historic Fresno
  

Overall Landmark References:

• Guide to Historic Fresno
  

Adventure 003, Site 070-St John's Cathedral Catholic Church

Sherri in front of St Johns

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 003, Site 070-St John's Cathedral Catholic Church
Local Registry ID: 86


Team: YOLT
Date:  September 15, 2013
Location:

Coordinates: N 36° 44.446 W 119° 46.961

Address: 2814 Mariposa Street, Fresno

Description:
Date Built: 1902
Architect: Thomas Bermingham

St. John's Cathedral Catholic Church (1902)

2814 Mariposa Street
Thomas Bermingham, Architect
Gothic Romanesque

St Johns

This is the oldest remaining Catholic Church in Fresno. It was located outside of the city when it was first constructed.









References:

• Guide to Historic Fresno
  
• St John's Cathederal Web Site
  
• Wikipedia
  
• St John's Weeping Tree
  
• Cathederals of California Site
  

Overall Landmark References:

• Waymarking (WAY)
  
• Guide to Historic Fresno
  

Adventure 003, Site 057-Old Post Office Substation

Sherri, Flag and Galleria

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 003, Site 057-Old Post Office Substation
Local Registry ID: 22


Team: YOLT
Date:  September 15, 2013
Location:

Coordinates: 36°44'8"N 119°47'4"W

Address: 2404 Kern Street, Fresno

Description:
Date Built: 1921
Architect: R. F. Felchlin



Sherri and Gary were surprised when we saw that this building was on the local historical registry. We had eaten here on occasion when we were still working, about a block away, knowing it as the Galleria-a collection of restaurants. Nice to know that this building is being used after living out its live as a Post Office.

Old Post Office Substation-Now the Galleria

Old Post Office Substation (1921)

2404 Kern Street
R. F. Felchlin, Architect
Period Revival (Spanish Revival influence)

This was the first postal substation in Fresno. The Neo-Art Deco Moderne details on the interior of the building were added when it was adapted for use as commercial space.



References:

• Guide to Historic Fresno
  

Overall Landmark References:

• Guide to Historic Fresno
  

Adventure 003, Site 081-Goldman Home

Goldman House with Sherri

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 003, Site 081-Goldman Home
Local Registry ID: 131


Team: YOLT
Date:  September, 2013
Location:

Coordinates:

Address: 1060 T Street, Fresno, CA

Description:
Date Built: 1906
Architect: Eugene Mathewson


This is one classy house. We are glad to have seen it and know a bit of its history and who Goodman is.

Goodman Home (1906)

1060 T Street
Eugene Mathewson, Architect

Goldman House

Colonial Revival

An excellent example of the Colonial Revival style with Georgian detailing. The decorative chimneys add an interesting note. Sol B. Goodman was in the clothing business in Fresno for over fifty years. He was a charter member of Temple Beth Israel and largely responsible for its construction.






References:

• Guide to Historic Fresno
  

Overall Landmark References:

• Guide to Historic Fresno
  

Adventure 003, Site 080-Van Valkenburgh Home

Van Valkenburgh Home

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 003, Site 080-Van Valkenburgh Home
Local Registry ID: 092


Team: YOLT
Date:  September 15, 2013
Location:

Address: 1125 T Street, Fresno, CA

Description:
Date Built: 1903


Right across the street from the Anderson house, we find this Dutch built house. It looks almost fairy talish. With the roof steeples and the bluish-gray coloring, you dream of a different time. Today, it houses a group called the Women's Medical Clinic.

Van Valkenburgh Home (1903)

1125 T Street
Dutch Colonial Revival

Its unusual roofline and juxtaposition of forms set this house apart from other residences in downtown Fresno.






References:

• Guide to Historic Fresno
  
• Historic Houses of Fresno
  
• Downtown Fresno Historic Plans
  

Overall Landmark References:

• Guide to Historic Fresno
  

Adventure 003, Site 079-Anderson House

Anderson House and Sherri

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 003, Site 079-Anderson House
Local Registry ID: 130


Team: YOLT
Date:  September 15, 2013
Location:

Address: 1120 T Street, Fresno

Description:
Date Built: 1913


When we saw this house, we thought, how cute. Wonder how much this house is for sale for. It is pretty nice to see a house how the downtown probably looked a hundred years ago.

Anderson Home (1913)

1120 T Street
American Foursquare

This very simple home is severely plain except for jig sawn applique on the pediment of gabled front porch. Downtown Fresno once had many such homes, but very few remain today.



References:

• Guide to Historic Fresno
  

Overall Landmark References:

• Guide to Historic Fresno