Rare Vintage PHOTO of Sunset Rock Ockenden Lumber Camp Fresno County California for Sale

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Rare Vintage PHOTO of Sunset Rock Ockenden Lumber Camp Fresno County California For Sale

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Rare Vintage PHOTO of Sunset Rock Ockenden Lumber Camp Fresno County California :
$25.50

Item: Rare 1890s Vintage PHOTO of a girl standing at Sunset Rock at the town of Ockenden and lumber camp in Fresno County, California

The actual location of Ockenden has never been clear but these photos give clues, especially the one with the large rock. You can see part of the town in the background. One photos shows more buildings and another of a horse and carriage in what looks like the center of town.

Below the photo info I will paste what info I have found on this town.

Size: 5.50\" x 5.50\"

Date: c. 1895-1900

Condition: Very good

Location: Fresno County, California, USA

The story of Tom Ockenden and the original Ockenden Ranch represent major elements of our area\'s history. Unfortunately, though both have colorful and storied backgrounds intertwined with the central Sierra\'s and eastern Fresno County, documents, writings and first hand knowledge is sparse, somewhat fragmented and often times totally lacking. One of the best references of information is \"Reflections of Shaver Lake\", by Gene Rose (Word Dancer Press, 1987), the major source for the following.

The Beginning

A native of England, a graduate of Oxford University and proper English gentleman, Tom Ockenden came to the United States in 1886 after apparently spending some time in New Zealand. Some time after his arrival Mr. Ockenden settled in the town of Academy, near the present day Highway 168 a few miles east of Clovis. There he founded and operated a general store. At that time Academy was a way station stop and cattle ranching area adjacent to Tollhouse Road, a wagon and stage coach road serving the foothill and mountain areas of north eastern Fresno County

No doubt seeking to expand his business opportunities he then opened a second store in Tollhouse. At that time Tollhouse was a bustling community of 250 persons with a livery, 3 hotels, and reportedly, and equal number of saloons a combination that was no doubt popular with local cattlemen. But mainly it was a popular over night stop for those traveling farther up into the Sierras via Tollhouse Road, a privately constructed Toll Road built in the 1870\'s to serve the needs of lumber operations in the Shaver Lake and Pine Ridge areas.

Opening his second store in Tollhouse placed Mr. Ockenden in direct competition with the areas first, and previously sole, innkeeper and general store proprietor, Mr. Charles Yancey. (It should be noted here that the former Yancey Lumber Company in Shaver Lake, next to the hardware store, was until the late 1990\'s operated by descendants of Mr. Yancey).

Always seeking to further expand his opportunities, nor afraid to take on ever increasing debt to do so, and probably facing stiff competition from Mr. Yancey, a year or so later, Tom Ockenden went into business with his older brother, William. William Ockenden had previously entered into the lumber business with John Humphreys (the founder of Humphrey\'s Station on today\'s \"old\" Tollhouse Road) and near the site where the road forked to the Bretz and Musick sawmills that Tom Ockenden established the original Ockenden Ranch.

Trying to locate the exact site of the original Ockenden Ranch can be best described as \"difficult\". Several sources make general reference to it. One on-line source even provides GPS coordinates. Unfortunately the references and coordinates are sufficiently vague as to leave its precise location elusive. Suffice to say however that it is either on in very close proximity to, today\'s Ockenden Ranch subdivision.

Mr. Ockenden immediately foresaw the recreational and leisure time opportunities presented by the area, the same attributes we appreciate today. And for the next 30+ years, from mid April to early November each year, the original Ockenden Ranch became a haven for those working in the area, a welcome stop for people venturing into the higher Sierras and a respite for families seeking an escape from the valley\'s summer heat in the area\'s cool air, sparkling creeks, lush meadows and wind rustled pines.

At its peak, the Ockenden Ranch had a large hotel, cabins, tents on platforms, a dance hall, a general store and a livery. In 1914 a United States Post Office was established further solidifying the business. It was also the only establishment on \"the mountain\" that served alcohol, no doubt popular with local loggers and mill workers who would otherwise have faced \"dry\" weekends as liquor was not allowed in local lumber camps. And ever the shrewd marketer, the menu at Ockenden Ranch always included a low cost meal of chicken or beef tailored to local lumbermen who typically continued their evenings festivities drinking beer and spirits. Consumption that was no doubt enhanced by Mr. Ockenden providing \"gunny sacks\" so lumbermen could take a few bottles back to camp with them.

Beyond the business of Ockenden Ranch, Mr. Ockenden also entered a cattle enterprise, established a slaughter house serving his lower elevations stores and kept a butcher shop on site to serve the needs of his visitors, guests and local businesses. He also \"grub staked\" the start up of a number of smaller sawmills saying he always got his money back.

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