Captions, Inyo’s kilos I. Wint Ford Ranch and silos north of Warm Springs road. Adele Reed photo 2, George McKay and silo he and brcjthers built. Adele Reed photo. 3. wonacott Silo on Dixon Lane. Adele Reed photo. 4. Charles Wonacott. Collection of Carrie Wonacott 5. The Wonacotts, Carrie and Bob - Collection of Carrie Wonacott. 6, The Trowbridge well-house • Adele Reed photo 7. 8. Someone’s home and ranch? The Ford milking barn was large Adele Reed photo and stood some distance from 9. the four silos. Map—Inyo’s Historical kilos Adele Keed photo By Adele Reed v UMM Historical bilos of Inyo by Adele Reed The tall graceful silos (feed storage) that we see here and there in Northern Inyo can be named markers of pioneer land. Granted, the silos were erected from 1898 into the 1920’s. However, memories bring forthhthe fact that so many times a ranch was handed down from •father to son or other relative. We find these silos in many cases, do represent the first pnesoiboto till the land. Let us think for a moment of the beautiful country the settlers found in the Owens River Valley after their long and arduous wagon travel. It was a vast area bordered by tall mountains, a wild and remote land. Waterways froln the snowfields abd?ve came cascading down to make mead ows of tall grass that became nesting places for the red-winged black bird and a host of other feathered friends. There were sand and sage flats and forests in higher elevations. The Gwens River found its way down the eastern side. Its winding course was marked by' growth of cottonwood, willow and wild rose. In 1862, according to the Homestead _\.ct, 160 acres of land were avail able. Under the Desert Act of 1877, 320 additional acres could be filed on. Land was cleared and tilled, no matter the long hard hours. Many crops were grown and homes, gardens and shade trees appeared. The town of Bishop Creek soon became the supply center for a great acreage where livestock of all kind wore seen. We began picturing the few (29) remaining silos several years ago and recorded dates, names and location. After gathering bits of memories from old-timers we now relate the stories of the silos. They have be come notable beings, standing e«.lone in this modern world and come in singles, pairs and a group of four. (Records that defy the tooth of time, ’’Young” ). 'sZ-oM (Lo^-Z-K^xZ^L, 0u- zQa^"* I • ."^uU. ^ct^-LKo^ccA' Lr £L £\ (jL^aMC^/ (^f. _ . &-0 --------------- ---------------------------------------------------- I ------ p4=L^< ^Z^O-xK-^ ___ _ / Cp i ,C^-£) ^tlL^Ma^WAa U Charles Wonacott Ranch lhe George Huckaby homesteaded acreage on Dixon Lane is noted by one white cylinder just off ,/6 north of Bishop. George and Emily Huckaby and family and Charles v.oaacott and wife Rachael (Huckaby) came from xk the east with a wagon train. They chose the Owens River Valley as their ultimate goal and arrived at the Love Bridge in 1874. Both families lived on the ranch, then the Huckaby family sold to Charles Wonacott and moved to land across the River until moving to Laws. George and Emily were* the parents of Florence (Huckaby) Smith. V'Onacott built a two story home on Wonacott Lane, as earlier known. He teamed between Candelaria, Carson City and Bishop Creek and also was busy as a carpenter helpng build several schools and some of the bridges over the Owens River. Recently a pretty, ornate medal the size of a dollar was discovered near the silo by use of a metal detector. Embossed words, ’’The medal of excellence awarded to Charles Wonacott for a cartridge loader, 1877.” s The historic piece indicates a sort of contest unknown in 1977- Charles and Rachael raised eight children, one son Don managed the farm in later years and built the silo.His name is noted in the Inyo Creamer^ papers. The Wonacott children had to hike across'/'&alt grass fields to A son, Albert W.I I attend the Riverside school to the north/ ’’Bob" ianjd Carrie Thomson were married in 1908. Their children were, Thomas, Thelna and Barbara Jean. This f«mily were known for their dairv business both near Bishon and at Mammoth Lakes. ’’Bob” liked to relate early happenings and tell how "In those days there were no fences from our place clear into town" as told by a son, Albert W. "Bob" Wonacott. Bob liked to tell of the few years he lived at Tonopah, Nevada. His father wasstheri the town under taker and Bob was employed as a teamster, making the long trip to and from Sodaville which was then the end of the railroad from Carson and points north. The route used by stages and teams was across the flats by Millers and over the Mont’ Cristo Range with two night stop-overs. Another interest told by Bob was a mode of transportation between Tonopah and Goldfield after the T. and G. railroad was completed. Autos were equipped with flanged wheels so they could run on the tracks be tween train schedules. Passengers were hauled at a cost of thirty dol lars per round trip. At holiday time parties would "charter" the rail traveling cars for a special event at Goldfield for a sum anywhere from thirty to fifty dollars. In 1908 Bob and Carrie Thomson were married. They raised three child- ''A'c• ren, Thomas, Thelma and Barbara Jean. The family was known for their dairy business near Bishop and also in the Mammoth Lakes area. Milk and cream were always delivered to the door with a cheerful greeting or a bit of news. Bob and Carrie were very hospitable people, Bob welcoming friends with a reminder of early days, "put your horses in the corral and bring in your bedroll." Family history from the late Bob and Carrie (Thomson) Wonacott. One of the sons, Albert W. "Bob” Wonacott and Carrie Thomson were married in 1908. Their children were, Thomas, Thelma and Barbara Jean. This family were known for their dairy business both near Bishop and at Mammoth Lakes. ’’Bob” like£ to relate early happenings and tell how 5^ it used to be ’’when there were no fences from our place clear into town,1* ’’Bob’’ reminded of early times when he’d welcome friends with, ’’put your horses in the corral and bring in your bedrolls.” Family history—notes from the late ’’Bob” and Carrie Wonacott INYO’S HISTORICAL SILOS Ova kecu Monuments^, or markers, are seen across our country, denoting famous or historical places and, or, objects. Our Owens River Valley has its own "somethings”, namely the long-overlooked silos, once so plentiful and useful on the dairy farms. The white cylinders that stand tall are now other the only landmarks of homesteaded land, ‘Since all/fdundations, a milk ing barn and' a silo cellar have been destroyed by owners, the DWP. We began picturing the few (29) remaining silos several'years ago and x recording dates, names and location and now use several directly con nected with pioneer history. The graceful cylinders, although erected in 1912 to the twenties, lead to the people who first tilled the soil. They are notable beings standing alone in this modern world and come in singles, pairs and a spectacular group of four. (Records that defy the tooth of time, "Young.” ) THE McKAY RANCH Wo visited George McKay in recent years and a drive to the Chas. McKay homesteaded ranch became important. Turning east on Warm Springs road south of Bishop, George waved to the right as he said, ’’there was Uncle John Bulpitt’s farm way over there and on the left, see those two cemenf pillars, that was the ’’Chicken Smith” place, all he did was raise chick~ ens. Further on, beyond the canal, that was the Kewley place.” The McKay ranch...now under lease...came into view to the right, a silo and corrals and small house. The silo was built by George and his bro thers in 1912 and he tells; "we hauled sand from the river area and mix ed it with cement to fill the three feet deep forms we built. Une for each section and a horse and derrick was used to lift the concrete to fill them, it was hard work!” Openings were left up one side and closed by boards so it could be emp tied ^-as needed, the openings were reached by ladder. The silage, usually i tf laizw i cd) wnnWN a\UOa j) °& U LL F I? 0 (P $ M /1J4 17 ft (\C & rf- £ O -'Lo \ rAHR.ini5 (WLOW^ 1 G-&OR.5-E / Wfi'wZW W (N T" © pftKd © SiloS © SHUE \M G-^T Li M E EftSt U N £. (SOi^oiE- SpEHVffS I7i>^ ©M^K^Stkow/mzi 13 (Q- Pi img. O-. SouV 1\ •£ 75 V7 fHoKEOA/ SvUC? ■«- l~f0Ml= y] z ; EMUW @ Vj dr ul FARR.iNfrTbN SiLO F! W>’mJ A>MS Rl2id&£ ,//aZ PISI4 © slLC’5@) Vvf/WE.f^SdixJ 11 N&Etl-t 2 ulz ■5 B LAr&OK/ r s,;lo too:,union is, or markers, are seen across our country, denoting famous or historical places, anc, or objects. Gur Gwens River Valley has it’s own objects in the long over-looked, silos, those tall, graceful store houses thht once held feed for livestock. They are, in most cases, the only indication of land homesteaded by pioneer people. Let us think for a moment ci the vast, remote end beautiful valley the settlers found, bordered by tall mountains. It was well wort!', the price of their long ano arduous journey, .aterways caru. cascading down from the snow fields to make meadows of bull grass. They became- nesting places for the red winged blackbird and a host of other feathered friends. There were sand and sage flats and forests in higher eleva tions. The Owens River found its way down the eastern side of the val ley. It’s winding course was bordered by growth of cottonwood, willow and wild rose. In 1862 land could be homesteaded. Go matter the long hours of herd work, the sagebrush was cleared, crops were grown and homes, gardens, shade trees appeared. It is told that our forsythia and lilac made the long trip from eastern states. Bishop Greek soon became the- supply center for a great acreage. We began picturing the few (29) remaining silos several years ago and recorded dates, names and location. We noted the cylinders vary between 55 to 65 years of age as found by the trademark of one A. 0. ...dams, cement contractor. His name and date of work wasfsaed on a. corner of cement floor of a milking barn and on cement steps (bo‘ a pump house. The silos are more plentiful in the Bishop area, al though some are seen from Hound Valley south to Fish .Springs. We find the cement bases of wooden silos near signs of activity, the wood long ago filled other u e e d s. by the time dairying became a growing industry, mueh o£ the e^rly housing was replaced by larger, comfortable homes, ma.ny two story. The silos and milking barns were then permanent additions. The alfalfa and corn fields were bounded by water ditches. Theii greenery... locust, willow and vivid flower life...marked the- ranch borders, oome of the old ditches cm be seen today among sagebrush. waterwheels were used as fish screens commonly seen in canal or creek outlets to contain the ti’out. ere it not for the silos it would now seem unreal that the fine ranches existed. The best time to view these ’’objects" is in early spring when the cottonwoods are showing green. They come in singles or a pair and one spectacular group of four. After After gathering bits of history here and there as to who first tilled the land and who came next, we relate the stories of the silos. They have become notable beings standing alone in this modern world. ’’Records that defy the tooth of time”, ’’Young’.’ hCj\AX r GCJi c visited George ricKay in recent years and a. drive t<- tie Carles r.cKay borne step, cod ranch become important. e turned cast on the arm oprings rot’d south of Bishop and George v.avcd to the right as he said; ’’there was Uncle John Bulpitt’s farm wav over there and on the left, see those two cement pillars, tha t was the ’’Chicken ^mith” place, all he did was raise chickens, rurther on, beyond the canal, that was the Kewley place.” rIbe McKay .Ranch...now under lease...came in view to the right, a silo and corrals and a hwall home. The silo was built by George and his brothers in 1912 and he tells; "we hauled sand from the river area and mixed it with cement to fill the three feet deep formd we built. q came across ;?n object of unique interest one day i.a a barren, dried up field across tie Owe/:’? ’Liver below tuc Gollins iioud* Iu was called a ell-house and nearby '•'ere house found-a Lieus and several uig trees, all marking the Trowbridge farm as told by friend Guu Jashoaugh. ibe one thousand acres o? alfalfa and other crops were watered from the .-ic bally hitch all the way from Five bridges- The wall-house supplied water for domestic use. Inside it we noted eight iron hooks cemented into the walls near the water pipes, perhaps used fur hanging meat. Chis indicates how early settlers had to make-do the best the-'’’ could vae for eacn section and a horse unJL derrick was used to lift the concrete to fill them, it was hard work!” /' silo chopper wus used to fill the silo through the openings j.p one side. sections of 8 or le jnan pipe carried the silage into each open ing ihen they v ere closed by hoards so it could t- emptied as .ceded, using t» 1 add c r. 111e si 1 agt uas u sua 11 y g r e en corn and provided wir ter I e e d f o i* :n i 1 k i n g c o w s . All kind oi crops vere raised on the r; :.ch and a garden nee r the two story home, George v.as one of seven cbildrei boic to rcotsm Claries richay anc wife Viola (Howell) and he attended tie arm ..crings school Gown the I’oad. I e told oj the heavy snow years and recalled a trip uith his father hunting dry wood; ”1*11 never forget, ve came across one ’chay ranch the School site was noted on t-'e left side just past tile old lane that branches north to the airport road. Next is seen the George Vatterson and Lun. Yandell farms to the right of ..arm springs road, one marked by old buildings and. a big corral. Continuin' east, is seen the "Case olcu-rh” area where water orce .as so p lo:.i tl i1 bl.it t sometimes the- roue- could :. r a pair and one spectacular group of four. After ^gathering bits of history here and there as to who .'•first tilled the land and who came next, we relate THE FORD MILKING barn was large and stood some dis- tance from the four silos. -Adele Reed photo >the stories of the silos. They have become notable -Adele Reed photo jhey were closed by boards so it could be emptied as needed, using a ladder. The silage was usually green corn and provided winter feed for milking cows. •; All kinds of crops were raised on the ranch and £ garden near the two story home. George was one of seven children born to Scotsman Charles McKay ^nd wife Viola (Howell) and he attended the Warm Springs school down the road. '• He told of the heavy snow years and recalled a trip with his father hunting dry wood; “I’ll never SOMEONis home and ranch? _Adele Reed photo built and his vast fields furnished silage. He owned some 1400 acres when he sold to the City of Los Angeles and left the valley. History, courtesy Gus Cashbaugh. THE CHARLES WONACOTT RANCH George and Emily Huckaby and family and Charles Wonacott and wife Rachael (Huckaby) came from the east with a wagon train. They chose the Owens River Valley as their ultimate goal and arrived in 1874 at what was then known as the Love Bridge, now Five Bridges. George home steaded acreage on Dixon Lane and one tall white silo cylinder is a marker standing just west of U.S. Hwy. 6 northerly of Bishop. Both families lived on the ranch, then the Huckaby family sold to Charles Wonacott and moved to land beyond the River until moving to Laws. George and Emily were the parents of Florence (Huckaby) Smith. Wonacott built a two- story home on Wonacott Lane, as earlier known. He teamed between Candelaria, Carson City and Bishop Creek and also was busy as a carpenter helping build several schools and some of the bridges over the Owens River. Recently, a pretty, ornate medal the size of a dollar was discovered near the Wonacott silo by use of a metal detector. The embossed words, “The medal of excellence awarded to Charles THE WONACOTTS. Carrie and Bob Collection of Carrie Wonacott. Wonacott for a cartridge loader, 1877.” The historic piece indicates a son of contest unknown in 1877. Charles and Rachael raised eight children. One son, Don, managed the farm in later years and built the silo. His name is noted in the Inyo Creamery papers. The Wonacott children had to hike across salt grass fields to attend the Riverside school to the north. “In those days there were no fences from our place clear to town” as told by a son, Albert W. Wonacott, “Bob” to all. He liked to tell of the few years he lived at Tonopah, Nevada. His father was then the town undertaker and Bob was employed as a teamster. He drove teams the long trip to and from Sodaville which was then the end of the railroad from Carson and points north. The route used by stages and rhe long teams was across the flats by Millers and over the Monte Cristo Range with two night stop-overs. Another interest of Nevada’s early days told by Bob was a mode of transportation between L GEORGE McKAY and silo he and brothers built. The well-house supplied water for domestic use. Inside it we noted eight iron hooks cemented into the walls near the water pipes, perhaps used for hanging meat. This indicates how early settlers had to make-do the best they could. 1 CHARLES WONACOTT -Collection of Carrie Wonacott MAP-INYO’s Historical Silos. By Adele Reed WONACOTT SILO on Dixon Lane. T (2 RofiERfS M-SQ-EE S.'lo© ID E ASt LtrJ £BlsHo pLive. u) & © PflLGtA £ 5 Si'LOS (§ Si u>s W/yrrE-i^A/ Wi/vT © Sfl-OS© ul 3 THOMSOA/S.'Lo© n AtfO HOM G. U SHuEU © ij(LOS © © SiU> 3 MRson' © MWtf C'OrArxie S'i'lo 3 § QI II(?) t r _ fHaifaG-Tdrf s;lo Davt 0^ fZfWcn -Adele Reed Photo. BuLL-FROfr" Sf-VtH S' Vos u IS I Sou+d ftAc-Ls Ref-J H^p '?$

Pioneer Days: Owens Valley Silos

Object/Artifact

Eastern California Museum

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Entry/Object ID

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Collection