Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Historic Trivia from the Gold Country

 This wonderful old safe has been here in the Heritage Museum for several years now.  Showing signs of wear with a lock that has been drilled open, this old boy seems to have an awful lot to say.  But finding the time to search out his voice has always been lacking.

Well, with a short concert season, we have found ourselves with a little bit of time on our hands and what an amazing story is emanating from this old timer!

We know it came out of what had been the Wells Fargo Office in Angels Camp, California, just down the road from us. Each of the Wells Fargo Agents that either worked or owned that office had signed the door of this safe with the dates they had been the official Wells Fargo Agent.

(Note: we had to wrap plastic over the door where the signatures were to protect them from being rubbed off by a curious on looker. Why someone would do that is beyond me, but, luckily we caught the offending finger before it could do too much damage! A Plexiglas cover is being designed to replace the plastic wrap.)

The first signature belongs to a J. C. Scribner who was the first agent from 1856 to 1892.


Having seen that name before, it was time to dig. In the back office reference library is a reprint of a book printed in 1885 titled "Calaveras County, Illustrated and Described 1885."
Page #72 ... 

"At Angel's, J. C. Scribner keeps a general merchandise store, and a good line of drugs. He also acts as agent for Wells, Fargo & Co.'s express. He came to Calaveras County as early as 1849, and purchased the business formerly conducted by Mr. Angel, the founder of this camp. The wooden building occupied first by Mr. Scribner was burned in 1855, and he replaced it by a very substantial stone building the following year (1856). He has remained in business at this place ever since."

This lovely book also has an etching of said store as it looked in 1885.

At the California Historic American Buildings Survey website, we found the photo below of a later version of Scribner's store & Wells Fargo Express office taken prior to 1941 when the building burnt down and became what is now a parking lot across the street from what was the old Angels Hotel. 

According to the Survey card, J. C. Scribner was: 

"Dear to hearts of Angels Camp citizens because of folk lore around Scribner, practical joker of old school. Said to have been the one who furnished the grapeshot that decided the race in Mark Twain's famous story "Jumping Frog of Calaveras County."

Now, this story was an actual event that occurred downtown Angels Camp sometime between 1856 and 1865. Samuel Clemens heard the folklore while socializing in the Angels Hotel, just across the street from Scribner's store. Maybe we will have time for that in another blog.

May, 1892, the Wells Fargo agency was taken over by R. Rasmussen.  At this time, I am still looking to see what happened to J. C. Scribner. If I find anything interesting, I will most certainly post an update.

Hope you have enjoyed this little bit of historic trivia.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Trivet Time for the Holidays!

Coinciding with the current "History of Iron" display, Ironstone's Junk Junkies have just received bags full of vintage trivets!

These go on sale this weekend for $5 each!  Research on just the first bag revealed value of just one of the trivets to be around $25.00.  

Many of these are collector pieces, so best come on in and gather up the deals.

This is a one time opportunity as well. From a recent estate sale, the collector's heirs don't see any value here, so the catch is yours.


While you are in, take a look at the "History of Irons" display as well.

Those are all available for sale as well. An outstanding value for the collector or just those of us who remember the doorstop at Grandma's house, and want to emulate the connection for our kids.

Remember, with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, these can also be great White elephant gifts or nostalgia mementos for your loved ones.

At the very least, stop in when you are out to put a smile on your face!

Updates to come from the Junk Junkies!

Monday, September 16, 2013

Fiona & Trysette Visit Ironstone

Today Dan Sokyrka, of Diamond Concepts over the river in Sonora, played tour guide to friends Fiona & Trysette.  The Ladies are here in California on tour and took time out for a little sightseeing.

Here you see Dan explaining the intricacies of the Crystalline Gold Formation here in the Heritage Museum.

And Now, trying to talk Dan into creating one of his jewelry design masterpieces with a chunk of the Gold!

GO GIRLS!

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Call to Artists, Plein Air Painting Day at Ironstone!

Great opp for all you plein-air painters out there. 

The Concours Foundation has invited plein-air painters to join the fun on Saturday, Sept. 28th from 10 am to 3 pm. 

Participating artists will receive complimentary entry to the event and the Hospitality Room for a luncheon buffet. 



You will need to be registered with Chris at 209-728-1251 or cgomez@ironstonevineyards.com for the complimentary entry pass. Please touch base by 4:00 PM, Wednesday, Sept. 25th to make sure you are on the list.




Send a bio and we can feature you on this blog as well as some of the on site event promos.





Bring your easel, paints and canvas and have a great day painting classic autos, tear drop trailers, motorcycles, vintage race cars and more!

For more information about the event, check out their website at:

http://www.ironstonefoundation.org/

Friday, August 23, 2013

Rim Fire Donation Station at Ladies Nite Out tonight!

We will be collecting donations that are needed for the Rim Fire Evacuees at Girls Night Out tonight in the parking lot outside of the Breezeway here at Ironstone Vineyards.  Donations needed at this time are on the list below.  Any questions please direct to Kerry Keeney at 209 728 1251.  People do not need to attend Girls Night Out to drop off donations.

Gatorade
Non-sugary children's drinks
Diapers
Travel Sized Deodorant 
Femine Hygiene Products
New Pillow Cases
Shave Gel
Small Kleenex packets
As well as monetary donations to the Red Cross


There will also be a card station where you can bring cards with words of encouragement to the people at the shelter. 

Friday, August 9, 2013

New Arrivals! Vaughn Pottery

Stunning new arrivals!

This breathtaking platter is one of the largest we have seen from Vaughn Pottery. Five large turquoise stones fit serenely in a deeply carved path emanating from the centered fossil.
Textured accents highlight the horsehair patterns on the natural light pottery face.
Priced at $950.00, this piece found it's new home before I was able to post!



Smaller Platter with Horsehair design and abalone shells.  Deep carved design and a footed base.  Priced at $375, this piece stands equally well on the stand or resting on its footed base.

This tall elegant lidded vase with side details matched on the lid is a must see piece. Standing at 26" tall, the deeply carved sides evoke a sensuality and elegance of form.  Priced at $900. this piece will not stay on the shelf long!   
  

This new form playfully charges the eye back and forth between the dark, deep carved forms and the brilliant colored natural stones.  Two sided, each side has evolved different elaborate imagery.  Priced at $700.00

Monday, August 5, 2013

Big & Rich Play at Ironstone This Saturday, August 10!

Big & Rich


Big & Rich Play at Ironstone 
This Saturday, August 10!
Country superstars Big & Rich are bringing their "Party Like Cowboyz" tour to Ironstone Amphitheatre this Saturday, August 10! With special guests Cowboy Troy and Whiskey Dawn, it's going to be an unforgettable evening of live music. A limited number of seats are still available,

Tickets start at just $45 and the show begins at 7 p.m.
__________________________________


Now, lets step back for a moment and take a close look at Big & Rich's promotional photograph.  I'm thinking that photo is as "SteamPunk" as it gets!

Here at the Museum, we've been doing some studying up on "SteamPunk". 
After a wild photo session here at Ironstone Vineyards by a Bay Area Photographer with her dressed to the hilt models, our curiosity was spiked. Promoting "Steampunk" Weddings, she spent the better part of the day posing her bride & groom throughout the beautiful grounds with a variety of props.  

To say the least, I was intrigued!  LOVED the feel and mood of the outfits! (I will post as soon as we receive permission to share... )  This drove me to investigate what was behind this "SteamPunk" phenomena.  

Think Victorian, creative science of movement, the wild west ... yes, the "Wild Wild West" TV series with all the innovative weapons they used is considered by many pure "Steampunk".  Throw in a heavy dose of Fantasy with some goth and you have the basics of "Steampunk".

If you check out www.steampunk.com, "Steampunk's" roots are literary, laying claim to many of the world's great classic books, (one of my favorites, H.G. Wells, "The Time Machine" being only one).  This website defines Steampunk as a "subgenre of science fiction and fantasy" utilizing steam engines and the technology of the 19th. century while rebelling against the same.

Springing forth from these humble beginnings, is music, art, science and a world of fashion wrapped into an entire lifestyle.  A lifestyle rich with a unique creativity enveloping one's entire environment. Morphed into a thought pattern, craving & functioning in the pure science of a Fantasy Victorian. 

Fascinating, mysterious, marvelous, frightening and very romantic all at the same time...  

As we delve deeper into this unique world, we will give you updates on our discoveries... Until then, we leave you with one question ....

Is Big & Rich Steampunk? Lets go Saturday night and find out!