This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Westward to California fever and family migration 1909
In 1909 a Oklahoma family followed realtor H. J. Martens to California after a shared dream of a better life. They loaded a freight car with all they owned including livestock and furniture, moved to Lerdo near Shafter, built a tank-house dwelling, and faced growing distrust as payments and land deals remained unsettled. Disappointment followed optimism as they resettled near Martensdale and then Rosedale, enduring hardships, minimal payment, and reliance on faith to persevere.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dad
Mom
H. J. Martens
Kansas
Fairview
Weatherford
Oklahoma
Martens
California
Grandpa Fast
Marie
Mr. Martens
Alwys
Calorale
Lerdo
Southern Pacific
Shafter
Lerdo Station
Martensdale
Rosedale