Dear Members & Supporters,
We wish you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season and we look forward to the time that we can celebrate together once again.
Merry Christmas!
From your Fresno County Historical Society
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Photo Credit: Claude Laval with Christmas tree circa 1913. Image courtesy of the Pop Laval Foundation
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Dearest Friends and Supporters,
First, just let me wish everyone a very happy and healthy holidays from all at the Fresno County Historical Society. No matter what is happening around us, the joy of so many aspects of December brings a magical rebirth of hope that we can certainly wrap our arms around right now.
There are few words left to describe 2020 - historic, challenging, groundbreaking, life-changing - and we are proud to have captured so much of what has happened for the Archive to be there for the generations that follow ours to learn from and, with time, garner understanding.
Despite all of the struggles, this year brought wonderful miracles as well – beautiful babies were born, loving marriages took place (including my own son), and people across the globe rallied to assist and protect those who needed them most – at hospitals, elder care facilities and our school districts. Unpredictable as the world is, and with sadness in our hearts at the loss of so many, not only to the pandemic, but to other causes as well, we can only look forward to a brighter 2021.
This seems like a perfect time to share a story about a very special "archive;" one that records history not in photographs or documents, but in the very rings of the giant Sequoias that grace our own backyard. In fact, one of the most majestic of these has towered over us for centuries - the General Grant Tree - our Nation's Christmas Tree.
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Carolers perform at Nation's Christmas Tree in Grant Grove. Image Courtesy of Pop Laval Foundation. |
Charles Lee of the Sanger Chamber of Commerce was visiting the Grant Grove area in 1924. As he stood at the base of the huge General Grant Tree, one of the oldest and largest growing things on earth, a small girl approached. Looking up at the tree in awe, she stood for a moment in silence. Then she said quietly, "What a lovely Christmas tree that would be!" She turned and left.
Lee returned to Sanger but could not forget her words. He wrote to President Calvin Coolidge telling him about his experience. Four months later, on April 28, 1926, President Coolidge officially designated the General Grant Tree as the Nation's Christmas Tree.
The people of Sanger sponsored a religious service at the base of the General Grant Tree in 1925. As the years progressed, hundreds made the trip to the “Nation's Christmas Tree.” The service that is held here on the second Sunday of each December is broadcast throughout the country. In 1956, the General Grant was given added significance when President Eisenhower named the tree our only living national shrine; a symbol dedicated to the memories of those who have died serving our country, a tradition that continues today.
As this very difficult year for so many comes to a close, please consider (seriously) supporting your Fresno County Historical Society with a year-end donation. Even better, become a History Hero with a small, ongoing monthly contribution. We really need you.
With warmest wishes,
Elizabeth Laval
President
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Roots of the Valley:
The History of
Christmas Tree Lane
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Christmas Tree Lane - December 18, 1953. Image courtesy of Pop Laval Foundation. |
The story of Christmas Tree Lane is one that people in our area never tire of learning about and, particularly in 2020, this drive-through wonderland is likely to have more charmed visitors than ever. |
Christmas Tree Lane looking north from Lansing on March 23, 1920. Image courtesy of Pop Laval Foundation. |
Let’s go back to see how it all began 100 years ago when a new development was opened north of Fresno, called Fig Garden. Developers J.C. Forkner and Wylie Giffen hired landscape architect Horace Cotton to design the plantings for the tract. Cotton’s plan featured a main street lined with deodar cedars.
In December 1920, Mrs. W.P. (Mae) Winning, wife of local dentist William Winning, lighted the cedar tree in front of her Van Ness Boulevard home in memory of her young son, William “Billy” Hobart Winning who had tragically passed away at the age of 14 in an accident on the property. After admiring Mrs. Winning’s beautiful tree, members of the Fig Garden Woman’s Club and other residents of the boulevard took up the idea of outdoor decorations as a project and decided to light their trees. By 1928, ten families participated. In 1930, Dr. W.W. Leslie saw outdoor decorations used in Altadena, Los Angeles County, as a community project. With some other members of the Fig Garden Men’s Club he came to the woman’s club and volunteered to help organize displays throughout the neighborhood. In December 1930, the first official Christmas Tree Lane opened with thirty lighted trees stretching one quarter of a mile along the boulevard. Each year, the number of lighted trees grew.
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Christmas Tree Lane in 1933. Image courtesy of the Pop Laval Foundation. |
For ten decades, the deodar cedars, have grown in size and beauty. So, too, has Christmas Tree Lane, which now extends for nearly two miles and includes over three hundred lighted trees and decorated yards. An annual trip down Christmas Tree Lane by vehicle or on foot (not this year) is among Fresno’s most anticipated traditions for residents of all ages. |
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TODAY IS GIVING TUESDAY
Make Your Year End Donation Now
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During this unprecedented time, your Fresno County Historical Society, like so many other non-profits across the country, has experienced a deep reduction in revenue. On this Giving Tuesday - we ask that you choose to support the work that the Society does to record and preserve not only this historic year but to ensure that we are here to capture the memories from all of the years yet to come.
Make Your Donation to support the Fresno County Historical Society Now >>>
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In recognition of the victims of the Creek Fire, we are highlighting the beautiful landscapes of the Sierra Nevada with the fifth installment in our Archives Outreach Initiative. These photographs of Bass Lake, Big Creek, Huntington Lake, Ockenden, Pine Ridge, Shaver Lake and Tollhouse are from our Fresno County Collection, a part of our general Photograph Collection that includes images of towns and communities throughout the county. These photographs, taken by early Fresno County photographers like A.C. Mudge, later of Maxwell & Mudge Studio, R.W. Riggs and Robert A. Parker, remind us of the rich history of eastern Fresno County. From logging to cattle ranching to recreation, the people of these communities worked hard to thrive in an often challenging landscape. This winter, we encourage our members to support the mountain communities to help them recover from the devastating Creek Fire. Take a day trip to play in the snow and patronize local businesses to support our Fresno County neighbors as they recover.
Stay tuned for more news from the behind-the-scenes projects of the Fresno County Historical Society Archives. Check valleyhistory.org for updates on reopening the archives to in-person research. We are accepting research requests via email at archives@valleyhistory.org.
Photo Credit: Shaver Lake store and post office in snow, circa 1930. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California.
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CELEBRATE THE SEASON AT A VIRTUAL HOLIDAY TEA PARTY |
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Join us for a virtual Holiday Tea Party on December 19th and enjoy a seasonal and lavish experience from the comfort and safety of your own home.
This unique event includes your Tea Party in a Box complete with keepsake china tea cup and saucer, English tea, honey, clotted cream, scones, cookies & petit fours - just add hot water.
Our virtual program features experts in etiquette and gift wrapping as well as a chance to bid on a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Don't Miss It!
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THE FRESNO COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
valleyhistory.org
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