A Day Trip Into the Past

My sister Susan, brother Jeff, and I went on a day trip to areas from our childhood that were mostly in Tuolumne County. Our grandparents lived there during our growing-up years, and we recall years of memories during that time that were special to us. We surprised each other with our different recollections.

Part of what we remembered had to do with the route from our homes in Merced and Bakersfield to our grandparents’ home in Moccasin. Below are some of the sites that we remember.

Snelling

Snelling had a population of 230 in 2010. Our parents used to stop at the local bar on the way to Moccasin while us kids waited in the car (well, yes, that’s what happened). Bud’s Place, where they stopped, is currently described as “one of the best Dive Bars near Snelling.” I remember that there was a dome home on one of the Snelling properties, and I was quite intrigued with that.

Old La Grange Bridge

Constructed in 1913, this old one-way bridge over the Tuolumne River had a traffic light on both sides to control the access. We would bet on which color it would be (red or green) when we were able to see it. The light pole was still there. The bridge was converted into a pedestrian-only access in 1987. Directions to the bridge are on this birding website.

Chinese Camp

What’s to say about Chinese Camp? I never saw any Chinese people when we passed through it, but in the mid 1800’s there were around 5,000 Chinese people there. It is the remnant of a notable California Gold Rush mining town (Wikipedia). In 2010 there were 126 people living there, according to the census taken that year.

The Dips

Once we passed through Chinese Camp, we looked forward to The Dips. They are still there … on Old Fire Road (Red Hill Road on some maps) off of Rt 59 LaGrange Road. It is no longer traveled, except perhaps by fire fighting vehicles, and there is a trail in the area that’s used for recreation. This road dipped and turned and was quite beat up … even when we traveled it back in the 50’s and 60’s. We kids loved those dips … some of them gave us stomach tickles! We looked for the signs and eagerly anticipated the tickle.

It was a beautiful day to experience this old road again. The area was green with wildflowers and the creek was filled with water. Sometimes, when we traveled through there back in the day, the dips were flooded which caused braking issues … and that was scary! Remember … we were little kids …..

The Fish Hatcheries

Our grandfather worked for the California Department of Fish and Game. He was the manager at Basin Creek Fish Hatchery and later at Moccasin Creek Fish Hatchery. Our recollections were primarily from time spent at the Moccasin Hatchery, where we enjoyed many years of tramping through the countryside, visiting the hatchery, swimming, listening to the rushing water of Moccasin Creek, and spending quality time with our grandparents.

Basin Creek Fish Hatchery

My siblings don’t have any childhood memory of Basin Creek, and mine are limited. I was probably 4 or maybe 5 when our grandparents moved from it to the Moccasin fish Hatchery. My brothers were able to visit the site of this hatchery with my grandfather before he passed, and they acquired some information about the area.

The hatchery, located in Twain Harte, was at the confluence of Basin Creek and the North Fork of the Tuolumne River. It was in place around 1930, and WPA worked on the site during this time. Fishing enthusiasts might appreciate that the Kokanee was introduced to California here in the 1940’s. The hatchery closed in the early 1950’s, after the Moccasin Creek Hatchery opened. On the 29th of August 1960 the Tuolumne Park and Recreation District purchased and was granted title to the property. It then became the River Ranch Campground.

My grandfather was there during the very early 50’s. He transferred to Moccasin Creek Fish Hatchery either right before or when it opened in 1954.

I remember a very high rock wall with a lot of grass at the top. I used to tramp all over the place there, and because of the time period, I was only a preschooler. It's a miracle I didn't step on a snake. Here is that rock wall behind the home where my grandparents lived. I recall that the house was white, but it's obviously been refurbished several times since then. — I remember a very high rock wall with a lot of weeds at the top behind the house where my grandparents lived. I used to roam all over the place, and because of the time period, I couldn’t have been more than 4 or 5. So no wonder the wall seemed high to me! It’s a miracle I didn’t step on a snake. The rock wall is behind and to the left of the house, which still stands. I recall that the house used to be white, but it’s been refurbished several times since then, or perhaps even rebuilt. Only remnants of what used to be the hatchery remain.

I recall driving with my parents on a dirt road to get to this hatchery. There was a lumber mill a few miles from the hatchery, and I will never forget the fragrance of the freshly-cut trees. I also recall a time when we came upon a rattlesnake in the road. Someone, probably my grandmother or maybe my father, walked back to the hatchery to get help. I remember looking out the back window of the car and seeing my father and grandfather battle this snake, eventually cutting the writhing snake in half with a shovel. My mother sat in the front seat with her head in her hands. She was petrified of snakes until the end of her life.

More Basin Creek Photos

Jeff explains some of the history of the area to us

Heading back from the creek area over to the site where the hatchery used to be

Yes, it's just a creek. But more than that, to us. — Yes, it’s just a creek. But more than that, to us.

Jeff and Susan listen to the sound of the rushing water. That sound will always resonate with us.

Moccasin Creek Fish Hatchery

As it is today. The main buildings still stand, although alterations and additions have occurred. There is only one of the original fish ponds.

moccasin-hill — My brother and sister walking up the hill to the state housing area

My grandfather was manager of this hatchery from approximately 1954 until early 1964, when he moved to the district office in Fresno. Our family situation (not good) was such that we moved to Fresno with my grandparents (very good). This is how we all ended up in Fresno. A new life began for all of us.

Those ten years when the grandparents were in Moccasin were the highlight of our childhood. They lived in an 1100 sq foot state-provided house with 1 bathroom that is still there and occupied. How we all managed (and later on to live for a time) in this house is a mystery, but we did, and none of us kids remember feeling crowded.