Shafter Old Timers Recall Growth of Local Spud Industry
The article recalls Shafter's early days as a 135000 acre Poso Ranch owned by Kern County Land Co. and the potato boom sparked by Leach Caldwell & Tolan in 1914. It covers tiny acreages, first plantings, early shipments, and improvised farming methods leading to a large modern potato trade.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Shafter
Poso Ranch
Kern County Land Co
Kern County Land Company
Hitchcock Hotel
Central and
James
Central Ave
T. V. Little
General Shafter
Leach-Caldwell & Tolan
Southern Pacific Railroad
Scaroni Place
John Stone
Wood Stone
Colorado
Shafter’s Early Years From Post Office to Vineyards
The article recalls Shafter’s early development through the creation of its post office with Schumate and Shafter as first postmaster, delays in stamps and cancellations, the train-watching habit, a tennis court built by Harriett McManus, and Hazel Burns teaching eight children. It notes a church-like school near the Bank of America site, Martha and Wood Stone’s wedding, lack of a bank, local “credit” economy, a rare arrest by Koch, and F. E. Mannell’s 80 acres of vineyards and orchards with a $120,000 offer in 1919 that was refused, concluding with reflections on primitive life and expected future change.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Schumate
C.A. Barlow
Democratic Central Committee
Woodrow Wilson
Shafter
Shumaie
Gon
Neuman
Harriett McManus
Bank of America
Hazel Burns
Martha
Wood Stone
Thos E Army
Koch
S. A. Camp
Bakersfield
Sol
F. E. Mannell
Manuel
Shafterites Here on Pleasure and Business Trip
Mr and Mrs W A Livers formerly of Shafter are visiting the community this week. They have purchased a home in Escondido California and will make their home there.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Shafterites
W. A. Livers
Shafter
Escondido
Calif
Also Mentioned on This Page
West Ash
Mettler
Richland ‘Chevrolet
Shiffetts Trailer Court
F St
Wasco
Yarborough
Kindig Realty Co
18Th St
Jack Farley
Brother-Inlaw
Poplar
Santa Fe
Cotton’s Grocery
Fuller
George Bowlie
7Th Street
Cal
Puerto Rico
Spain
United States
Richland Chevrolet
al Thompson
W. Orange
Chevrolet
Navy Oil Station
Central Avenue
T. R. Darnell
Meyers Trailer Court
Harley Davidson
Nice
Lerdo
Los Angeles Ave
R. Monroe
Tfe
Wittenberg Poultry & Fish Market
Santa Fe Hwy
Tulare
Shafter High School
Mr. Hill
Jess K
6 Melodies
Ersfield
Joseph Robles
Taft Ave
Turalit
Tfc
Bob Burnquist
Palm Ave
Lerdo Rd
Army
Lufkin’s
Business College
L Street
Elmer F. Karpe
L—Real Est
Artet
KM41
Central
Renge
J. R. Friesen
Euclid St
Shafter Press Advertisers
Tulare County
Pixley
California
Bryce Sherman
N. K. Street
Tulare, Calif
Special Quartet
Wheeler Furniture Co
Maytag Washing Machine
E. A. Prickall Street
Shafter Ave
Eene F. Bergman
Traveleer
Johnnie Hamlin
D. M. Crocker
Beacon
Smith’s Corner
Shafter District
Valley Office and School Equipment Company
Professional Directory
J. J. Baerg
Vernon Pierce
James St
J. C. Penner
Notary Public—Tax Service
James B. Hahn
Optometrist
Pacific Street
Keith G. Musgrave
Kelly-Channeson Bldg
San Francisco
Opal Fry
Charlie Schumate
Billi Camp
Camp
Arizona
Maurer
Fry
Charlie Bell
Dick Eckman
Charlie Shumate
Shafter Press
Bill” Young
4 Radio & Appliance CO
Wayside Chapel
Robert L. Jones
Seventh Street
Supreme
Plymouth
Hudson
Buick
Sandstrom Motors
Chester Avenue
Frank Hornkohl
Truxtun
Clara
California Avenue
Bess Williams
Alma McQuilliams
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