Saturday, December 20, 1980

1980s Part I Fred conducted tours of Northwest US


Fred started out being in the touring business by taking small groups of college students with his family
on vacation tours. Eventually he thought that travel study tours for college students would be a neat way for students to learn history and obtain college credits at the same time. He drew up plans for month long trips (28-30 days) for the summers that would be 4 credit courses. He submitted a syllabus for each one to the Social Studies Division, which in turn recommended to the Academic Council, then to faculty, and then finally to the College Board of Control. A geography instructor usually went along and drove the second van. Students were given background handouts for each site ahead of time to make the sites more meaningful --  and more time could be used for observation instead of lecture.  Discussion sessions were held in the evenings. At the conclusion of the trips essay type exams were given.  Transportation vehicles were provided by the athletic department, usually two vans that could accommodate a total of twenty people. Most meals were family style picnics held in scenic places -- with students doing all the shopping and food preparation.




Historic sites and places of interested will be touched on by geographical areas from map as listed below. Obviously this will include only sampling and then with abbreviated  treatment. These sites were visited over many school years and sites were often revisited on later tours.

PART I

The first area touched on will be the NORTHWEST shown in BLUE on the map above.
This includes (in this order): Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Colorado,
Nevada & California.

NORTHWEST

Montana
Virginia City sprang up with the discovery of gold at Alder Gulch, 1863. 
A number of buildings from the gold rush still stand,
Virginia City, Montana


Nevada City Hotel was one mile from Virginia City. 
 Nevada City, Montana

A little narrow gage railroad was built to connect them. 
We rode the train from Virginia City to Nevada City.

 Notice the double decker outhouse in the backyard of this building.
Virginia City, Montana

College students stayed in these cabins.
They are fronted with logs from the old miners' cabins.
Virginia City, Nevada

Old wagon remains
Virginia City, Montana

Authentic plays were performed at the Opera House by the Virginia City Players.
 Virginia City, Montana

Nez Perce National Historical Park
Defeat of Chief Joseph as he attempted to reach Canada, 1877. He said:
"From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever"
 Bear Paw Battlefield, Glasgow, Montana


Battle of Little Big Horn   Defeat of Custer forces.
Our guide was a Crow and had little use for Sioux or Cheyenne
Crows fought with whites because opposed intrusion of Indians
Crow Reservation, Montana




James J. Hill's Northern Pacific opened the Glacier wilderness for tourism
Northern Pacific Glacier Park railroad depot
Montana

Glacier Parkrail station built by the Great Northern RR
Glacier, Montana

From Glacier Park we moved northward in Glacier Park

Many Glacier Lodge, built 1914-1915
Many Glacier, Montana

The interior of Many Glacier Lodge had rustic flavor
Many Glacier, Montana

When the students walked around Swift Current Lake we had a nice view
of Many Glacier Lodge from the opposite shore.
Many Glacier, Montana

Mountain climbing was next on the agenda. Looking down
we could see just how much we had climbed. Hiking is a
major recreation at Many Glacier
Montana

Naturally, we had to drive the Highway to the Sun.
Glacier, Montana

We spotted bears along the way.
Glacier, Montana

Wyoming
Burial place of Sacagawea
Shoshone and Arapaho Indian Reservation
She served as a guide for Lewis and Clark expedition
Lander, Wyoming

Sutler with fur pelt from Indians
Fort Laramie, Wyoming

Oregon Trail
Wyoming

Independence Rock, Wyoming
Our students climbed to the top

The Oregon Trail did not go through Devil's Gate
They went to the right where present day highway goes
Devil's Gate, Wyoming

Oregon Trail
Devil's Gate, Wyoming

Oregon Trail
South Pass, Wyoming

South Pass City was  laid out in 1867 when gold was discovered in the region.
Some gold was found in the Willow Creek (tributary of Sweetwater River).
South Pass City, Wyoming

More gold was found in the rocks. Among the mines opened colorful names were 
assigned, like Summit, King Solomon's, Northern Lights, Jim Crow and so on. 
Here a guide is showing us one of the mines.
South Pass City, Wyoming

We also roamed around on our own.
South Pass City, Wyoming

 Some of the false fronted stores date back to the 1860's. 
A handful of people still reside in town.

 South Pass City became well known in the women's suffrage movement 
because of a woman named Esther Morris. Women out west were more self-reliant.
South Pass City, Wyoming

Our DMLC women are sitting on the foundation of an old building. 
The site honoring Esther Morris is in the background 

Fort Bridger
Jim Bridger's Trading Post erected in 1843
He led Brigham Young to Salt Lake, Utah
Outfitting point for overland travelers
Fort Bridger, Wyoming

Union Pacific Train Depot
Cheyenne, Wyoming

The railroad station at Cheyenne opened the lands of Wyoming
Large ranches were establish in the wilderness
Our study tour group lodged at the Diamond Dude Ranch, Wyoming
Cheyenne is located on lower right on map
Diamond Dude Ranch was situated north of Cheyenne

After a long drive on a rough unpaved road ewe reached the Diamond Guest Ranch, Wyoming.

To tour in the immediate area around the ranch we were
given a ride on a horse drawn wagon.


To reach out into the rattlesnake wilderness we used riding horses
and left the bunk houses very early in the morning.
Diamond Dude Ranch, Wyoming

After a couple of hours our wrangler set up camp
for our breakfast of steaks and eggs
Diamond Dude Ranch, Wyoming

After our dude ranch experience, we headed back to Cheyenne for Stockade Celebration.
From Cheyenne we headed westward to Laramie and beyond (see map).

Our group pulled over at the Ames Monument
located on what had been called the Lincoln Highway.

The Medicine Bow Mountains brought us into contact with snow.
Medicine Bow Mountains, Wyoming

Our vans pulled over so students could see the snow banks up close.
Medicine Bow Mountains, Wyoming

Utah
Anasazi Indian Village, Utah

 Taking notes
Anasazi Indian Village, Utah

Walking tour
 Anasazi Indian Village, Utah

Narrow doorways and cramped space
Anasazi Indian Village, Utah

Information Center
Anasazi Indian Village, Utah

Oregon Trail
Rest Area
Echo Canyon, Utah

Oregon Trail
Echo Canyon, Utah

Great Salt Lake, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

Sea Gull Monument
Sea gulls helped Mormons survive cricket plague
Salt Lake City, Utah

Mormon Temple in the background
Here the Mormons have baptisms for the dead
Public not allowed to enter temple
Salt Lake City,Utah


Missionary layman explains Mormonism
Mormon Tabernacle is in background
Salt Lake City, Utah

 Students attended Tabernacle service as observers
Famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir on the left
Salt Lake City, Utah

Students had spontaneous discussion after the service
Sermon was on fathers (Mormons strong on family life, weak on theology)
Salt Lake City, Utah

 The Bee Hive House
Home for the many wives of Brigham Young
Salt Lake City, Utah

Burial site of Brigham Young
When we asked a Mormon if it was walking distance he said, 
"Yes for the men, but not for the women."
Salt Lake City, Utah

Thorvaldsen's Christus in the information center
Gives the impression that Christ is central to their teachings
But they teach Jesus is a god, not the God of the Trinity

Mud slide cleanup
Mormon neighbors helped clear mud
Salt Lake City, Utah

WELS  Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
Salt Lake City, Utah

When the Union Pacific construction crews laid tracks in the middle of nowhere,
"Hell on Wheels" camps were set up to provide prostitutes, gambling and other vices.
Here in the reconstructed Sunny Side the students were taught card games.

The Union Pacific Railroad had quite a construction challenge here at Echo Canyon.
Echo Canyon, Utah

At Echo Canyon the Oregon Trail, the river and the railroad line were side by side.

Ogden Union Station 
Union Pacific Railroad bypassed Salt Lake City & established a terminal here
Station man weighing students with original scale
Ogden, Utah

The railroad lines opted for higher elevation above the great Salt Lake.
Thus they chose Promontory Point.
Salt Lake can be seen in the distance.
Promontory Point, Utah

The tracks should have met much earlier, but both companies continued to lay roadbeds
There were many miles of parallel tracks until the government threatened an investigation
Our college students are walking on one roadbed; the parallel road bed is to the left
Promontory Point, Utah

The Central Pacific was at a disadvantage for laying tracks (see map below)
because they had to contend with the Rocky Mountains and progress was very slow.
Hence they continued laying unnecessary tracks for government grants.

Wedding of the Rails, 1869
Transcontinental RRs -- Union Pacific and Central Pacific
Promontory Heights, Utah

Reenactment of Wedding of the Rails
Our students and tourists were the crowd watching the event.
Promontory Point. Utah

Pounding in the last spike
At actual ceremony, pre-drilled hole w/gold spike
Representatives of both lines missed the spike
(heavy drinking for occasion)
Promontory Point, Utah

Cases of champagne had been shipped for celebration.
One bottle was saved unopened on display at Union Pacific Headquarters.

End of the ceremony
Shaking of hands
Crowd (us) were encouraged to cheer.
Promontory Point Utah
...

Drive through Zion Canyon National Park
College van
Utah

Rest stop at Zion Canyon

Zion Canyon

Map with Bryce Canyon


Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Lake Powell, second largest man-made reservoir in America
Lake Powell, Utah

Not all areas of Utah are beautiful. When the US government removed
Japanese-Americans of California to remote regions during WW II they chose the desolate
region of Topaz, Utah for internment. Today there are only foundations and remains of streets
to remind us where the 10,000 people lived in the desert.
Topaz, Utah


Idaho
 Oregon Trail, Idaho


Orofino, Idaho (see map above)

Orofino, Idaho

Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho

 Students may be seen walking down below in crater (center).
Orofino, Idaho

 Lewis and Clark Trail
Snake River, Idaho

Lewis and Clark Trail
Snake River, Idaho

Old Oregon Trail
Boise, Idaho (far left on map)

Old Oregon Trail 
Boise, Idaho

Bonneville Point
Idaho

Bonneville Point
Idaho


Washington

After visiting the rainforest we crossed Puget Sound on a ferry to Seattle.
Seattle, Washington

We browsed through Pike Place Market and watched fish being tossed in the fish market.
On the street corner old times played music and did a little tap dancing for donations.

One of the best ways to see Seattle is on the skyway built for the World's Fair.
Seattle, Washington


Walla Walla Mission, 1836
Cayuse Indians killed  the Whitmans and 11 other missionaries in 1847
Attack provoked by Indians who had no resistance to white man's disease
(see lower right corner on map for Walla Walla)
Walla Walla, Washington

Oregon
End of the Lewis and Clark Trail
Seaside, Oregon


Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park
Clatsop County, Oregon
Oregon

Haystack Rock on bottom of map

Fort Clatsop
Lewis and Clark wintered 1806-1806
Clatsop County, Oregon
Oregon

Graves of Missionary Henry Spalding and his wife
the first missionaries to the Nez Perces, 1836
They did not get along with the Whitmans.
Oregon


Colorado
Mesa Verde, Colorado

 Cliff Palace
Mesa Verde, Colorado

Mesa Verde, Colorado

Grinding corn just like Anasazi women
Mesa Verde, Colorado

 Carbon sooted ceilings from cooking fire still evident.
Mesa Verde, Colorado

Female student exited kiva used by men for religious ceremonies.
Mesa Verde, Colorado

Buffalo Bill's Grave & Museum
Lookout Mountain, above Golden, Colorado


 Lebanon Mine Tour at Silver Plume Colorado with Laurie
Georgetown was the most important mining town in Colorado
starting in 1849 with gold. In 1964 a rich lode of silver was discovered.
Silver Plume, Colorado


Laurie  showed us how a 4 pound hammer and bit 
were used to make holes for explosives
Silver Plume, Colorado

Engine #8 was our tour locomotive. 
Here it is taking on water at Silver Plume, Colorado

Students inside train car
Silver Plume, Colorado

Lunch time for college students
Georgetown, Colorado


Nevada
The Strip
In the Depression year of 1931 casino gambling legalized
for raising tax revenues
Las Vegas, Nevada

Bonnie and Clyde's bullet ridden car
Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas Entertainment Show
Las Vegas Nevada
1859
Virginia City,Nevada

Mackay Mansion
Mansion of one of the rich and powerful.
Virginia City, Nevada

The Savage Mansion, 1860
21 rooms, Mansard roof, 14 foot ceilings
Virginia City, Nevada

Red Light District
Virginia City, Nevada

Virginia City, Nevada

Hoover Dam
Harnessed the  Colorado River
40 minute tour of dam and powerhouse
Boulder City, Nevada
California
La Brea Tar Pit
Archeological Site
Los Angeles, California

Cabrillo Monument
Spanish Exploration
San Diego, California

Cabrillo Monument
Spanish Exploration
San Diego, California

Historic Mission Santa Barbara
Mission Trail
Santa Barbara, California

Historic Mission Santa Barbara
Padre confers with Indians
Santa Barbara, California

Historic Mission Santa Barbara
Inner Courtyard
Santa Barbara, California

Historic Mission Santa Barbara
Students take lunch break
Santa Barbara, California

Sutter's Fort, about one mile from the American River, 
was established in 1840. Now filly restored.
John Sutter came to America with a dream. 
In 1839 he established a settlement at the confluence of the Sacramento 
and American Rivers. He hit gold in 1848 and his world changed. 
Yet, he died in poverty back east in 1880
Sacramento, California

Sutter's saw mill (replica) where gold was discovered in 1848.
Coloma National Historic Landmark
Columba, California

John Marshall bronze statue points from his tomb on the hill above Columba
to the very spot where discovered gold in 1848.
Marshall worked for Sutter.

Mormon Cabin replica
Workers constructing sawmill were Mormons.
Columba, California

We panned for gold ($2 each).

Columbia, California on Highway 49

Columbia, California on Hwy 49

Restaurant where we ate lunch in Columbia, California

John Steinbeck Country
Inspiration for his writings
Monterey, California

Study Tour took a tour boat to Alcatraz Island
Former prison for most hardened prisoners 1933-1963
San Francisco, California

Students were allowed to visit cells, including one without any light.
Alcatraz Island, San Francisco

Famous Cunard Queen Mary Ocean Liner
During World War II it was used for Troop Transport.
College students stayed over night aboard this ship.
Long Beach, California

Queen Mary
Long Beach, California

Spruce Goose
Howard Hughes' all wood 200-ton flying boat
Special platform allowed us to view flight deck and cockpit
Long Beach, California


Universal Studios
Stimulated Flood for Movies
Universal City, California

 Chinese Theatre
Walk of Fame for Stars
Hollywood, California

This cowboy at Knotts Berry Farm told me to take off my hat,
 but I did not do so fast enough.
Knotts Berry Farm Park
Los Angeles, California

Square Dancers
Knotts Berry Farm, California


Calico Ghost Town, 10 miles north of Barstow, California
Visitors can roam the tunnels of silver mines or visit original old buildings.
The Knott family purchased the townsite.
Calico Ghost Town, California

Lil's Saloon (one of 8 saloons in Calico)
is one of many original buildings out here in the desert.
Calico, California

Mariposa Grove
Yosemite National Park, California

Giant Sequoias
Yosemite National Park, California

Cabins used for student lodging
Yosemite National Park

Students moving into tent cabins
Yosemite National Park
California

Exploration
Yosemite National Park

Exploration
Yosemite National Park
California

Rhine House, 1883 
Napa Valley's oldest continuously operating winery
Tour of the cellar, wine tasting
Beringer Vineyards, California