Thursday, August 7, 2014

One Day Only! Historic Document Preview

Holabird Western Americana Collections
Presents a preview of a recently discovered archive
of Calaveras County Historical Documents,

This fabulous archive was recently discovered.  It contains upwards of 10,000 documents from dozens  of the mining camps in and around Angles Camp, c 1880-1915. We were surprised to find illustrated letter sheets, a huge whiskey archive, a fantastic archive from Mitchler's Murphys Hotel, including colorful lithographed business cards.  A remarkable archive from the assay department of the Utica mine is accompanied by an excellent document record of the mine's activities.

 This fabulous collection will go up for auction later this year, so don’t miss your chance to

stop by and see these outstanding historic artifacts for yourself.


One day only,   Saturday, August 30th.  


10:00 am – 4:00 pm,  Heritage Museum

Friday, August 1, 2014

Bells, Bells and more Bells!

The Bells are in!


Yes, we have a collection of bells in that Mr. Kautz found at an estate sale. They are all for sale with prices ranging from $5 - $25.

I was going to do a nice short little history of Bells ... but, going back to the beginning around 4000 BC in China and ending up here at Ironstone with a room full of little china, glass & pottery bells doesn't make for a short story!

Besides, these don't really fit the search engine's descriptors of musical instruments as they are nice but not fine tuned enough for the orchestra, nor do they lend themselves to the "calling workers from the field to meals" category as I doubt anyone can hear them even from the next room.  

However, they are quite nice little bells with cheery sounds that can remind someone you are stuck in your room in a full lower body cast and need a drink of water or they would fit nicely in someone's bell collection.

In any case, they are charming with nice sounds and great prices.  Come check them out. 

If they are still here in December, you may be subject to a complimentary tasting concert featuring our very own bell choir!  (Save us all and come buy some now!)

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Utica Mine Archives

Just received word that Ironstone's Heritage Museum will be hosting a one day preview of an outstanding historic find, Saturday, August 30th.

Memorabilia from the famous Utica Mine of Calaveras County. Direct from Holabird & Assoc., will be available for viewing with representatives from Holabird here to answer any questions you may have.  Word is this collection may go up for auction later this year, so now is your chance to come out and see for yourself this great historic archive.  

Now a word from Holabird & Assoc...

Utica Mine Find
The word “archive” is often thrown around to describe items for sale. But this true archive contains thousands and thousands of billheads, assay receipts, advertising envelopes, letters, business cards, river shipping receipts, whiskey and cigar related ephemera, etc. It is the complete record of the Utica Mine and nearby mines and towns associated with the Utica Mine.
You will find names like Frank Mitchler, George Stickle, and Charles Lane, places like Knights Ferry and Sheepranch, assays done by the Utica Mill, assay receipts and bills for rolled silver from Selby, hundreds of records hauling ore and lumber to the Utica Mill, and many more.
Learn about the Angels Dam breaking, the use of Union Water Works ditches to fight fires, the two fatal Utica Mine accidents and the 22 deaths associated with it, which companies in Stockton, Sacramento, and San Francisco were frequented and what was purchased.
Small towns and places can be found throughout the archive: Soulsbyville, Robinson Ferry, Bear Valley Station, Ranch Flat, Monarch Ville, French Canon, Bunds Ranch, and Valley Springs. Find references to forgotten mines and leases named new Discovery, Essex, Juneau, Egan, Union Copper, Ilex, Oriole, New Brunswick, Dolling and many more. Spend hours in 1918 and 1919 as the West Point mines are mapped and described and the business of the mine is laid out. The owner is attempting to market the mine for sale.

Most of these documents are mining related! There are many stories ready to be uncovered and told from this archive! Too many to even begin exploring in this short describing.