FRESNO COUNTY COLLECTION
The Fresno County Collection documents the many towns and communities throughout a county that covers 6,011 square miles. Between 1856 and 1893, Fresno County also covered Madera County to the north and Kings County to the south. This broad landscape is detailed through images from the mountain communities in the Sierra Nevada to Coalinga on the west side.
Cars in front of Armstrong's Store, Pine Ridge, circa 1925. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California.
The collection also includes photographs of schools, rivers, Fresno County Fair, and the Sheriff’s Department. These photographs were taken by early Fresno County photographers such as R.W. Riggs, Robert A. Parker, and A.C. Mudge, later of Maxwell & Mudge Studio.
The Society is always seeking to add to this collection with images that celebrate a broad range of activities. Contact the Archivist at archives@valleyhistory.org to with your donation request. We also welcome any additional information you may have about this collection. If you find an error with the name or date, or just want to add information for our records, we’d love to hear from you. Please email your comments about specific images to archives@valleyhistory.org.
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These images are available for academic or personal research use. Higher resolution scans can be ordered for use in books, magazines, film, postcards, advertising, television, web page, brochures, reports, and calendars. Commercial, publication, film, or media use requires permission from the Fresno County Historical Society. Contact the Society Archivist for cost options at archives@valleyhistory.org.
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FRESNO COUNTY MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES
Cha Day Store at Bass Lake in snow, circa 1940. N: J.M. Buswell, center. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Big Creek, circa 1950. N: Below Huntington Lake. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
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Big Creek Falls, circa 1950. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Cash Store, Pollasky, Cal., circa 1890. N: Dick Russell Cash Store[?]. Dick is standing with a foot on the buggy. [far right]. Postcard 2152 Western Card Co. Reedley, Cal. Likely R.W. Riggs, photographer. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Mt. Winchell, Aug. 1925. N: Photograph taken from the east with snow on the ground. Named in 1879 for Prof. Alexander Winchell. Also named at same time [as] "Agassiz Needles" and "Dusys [sic] Peak" Changed by Jos. LeConte to "North Palisades." Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Murrieta Rocks, circa 1940. N: Hideout of Joaquin Murrieta in the coast Coalinga foothills, near Cantua Creek. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Childers Home, Auberry, circa 1914. N: The Childers Home, near Auberry P.O. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Sulphur Spring, Auberry, 1919. N: All this timber was cut in 1919, clearing out for the bigger Shaver Lake. R.W. Riggs 625 N. Angus, Fresno, Cal., photographer. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Lakeshore Resort, Huntington Lake, circa 1925. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Summer house at Huntington Lake, circa 1930. N: Summer house, Huntington Lake on land rented from Forest Service. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Camp Edwards Hotel, Huntington Lake, circa 1930. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Lakeshore Resort, Huntington Lake, circa 1920. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Row of tents at Sierra Summer School, Huntington Lake, circa 1915. N: Before the convenience of an air-conditioned building, students and faculty at the Fresno State Normal School escaped the summer heat of the San Joaquin Valley by heading up to the Sierra Summer School. Beginning in 1914 and continued until the summer of 1950, the summer school was held for six weeks annually with a brief intermission during WWII. | Sierra Summer School, Hungington Lake, circa 1920. N: Postcard sent to Mrs Annie Mathews, Selma, Calif. Dear Mrs. Mathews, Surely am having a wonderful time up here in between studies. Give my best wishes to the dept. and them I hope to be home soon. Best Wishes, Olivia S. Mudge's Photo Art Store, Huntington Lake, Calif. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Lakeshore Resort, Huntington Lake, circa 1920. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Huntington Lake dam through the trees, circa 1920. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Huntington Lake, June 15, 1923. A.C. Mudge, Photographer. 326 Olive Ave. Fresno, Calif. Summer Studio - Huntington Lake, Calif. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Huntington Lake with boat, circa 1920. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Huntington Lake shore, circa 1920. A.C. Mudge, Photographer. 326 Olive Ave. Fresno, Calif. Summer Studio - Huntington Lake, Calif. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Huntington Lake with clouds, circa 1920. N: Postcard sent to Mrs. J. W. Bartlett 1708 E 15th Street, Portland, Oregon. Well, we are all up here and it is sure fine. Wish you were here to. Love from all, J.M. A.C. Mudge, Photographer. 326 Olive Ave. Fresno, Calif. Summer Studio - Huntington Lake, Calif. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Huntington Lake Lodge, Aug. 1915. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Dirt road along Huntington Lake, circa 1915. A.C. Mudge, Photographer. 326 Olive Ave. Fresno, Calif. Summer Studio - Huntington Lake, Calif. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Trees near Huntington Lake, circa 1920. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Family portrait in the snow at Huntington Lake Lodge, Feb. 1916. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Joe Bretz home, Pine Ridge, 1883. N: The old Joe Bretz home on Pine Ridge near Ockenden. Taken in 1883. Mrs. J. H. Burnett. R.W. Riggs, Photographer. Fresno, California 1881. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Ockenden General Store, circa 1920. Hollenbeck, photographer. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Road near Ockenden, circa 1920. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Caroline P. Webster and her children at falls below Ockenden's, 1896. N: Caroline P. Webster and here children, Eleanor and Donald. Part of MSS 075 Webster Family Papers. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Ockenden, 1910. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Ockenden, 1914. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Sunset Falls, Ockenden, 1882. John Rodd, B.G. [R.W. Riggs], Scenic Photographer. Fresno, California. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | View from Sunset Rock, Ockenden, Aug. 19, 1913. N: Sunset Rock near Ockenden. Taken from S.W. 8/19/1913. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California |
Pine Ridge School, circa 1940. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Armstrong's Store and hotel, Pine Ridge, circa 1910. N: Store built in 1880s by August Bering. Hotel built in 1908 by Kenyon and Jennings. Robert A. Parker Mountain Photographer. Bear Creek Studio, Huntington Lake, Calif. 1119 Franklin Ave. Fresno, Calif. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Armstrong's Store with motorcycles, Pine Ridge, circa 1920. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Bretz home, Pine Ridge, 1883. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Pine Ridge Panorama, circa 1910. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Pine Ridge store, circa 1910. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Old schoolhouse at Pine Ridge, Aug. 31, 1919. N: School House at Pine Ridge, Fresno Co. Calif. Photo taken Aug. 31, 1919 by Al Braverman, Fresno. Note saging roof and bulging side over stump. (New building wanted). Al Braverman, photographer. Fresno, Cal. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Old Pine Ridge Schoolhouse, May 25, 1920. Pine Ridge School District was formed by authority of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, on petition of T.J. Kirk, County Superintendent of Schools, and granted on April 3rd, 1894. On interesting bit of history in this connection is that under the same petition authority was also granted for the formation of Mercy School District - the two districts being at the time the fartherest [sic] districts east and west in Fresno, CA. |
Cars in front of Armstrong's Store, Pine Ridge, circa 1925. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Pine Ridge on Tollhouse Road, 1890. N: Kenyon's in the 1880s. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Visitors at Frank Bretz's shake camp, circa 1911. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Winter at Armstrong's Store, Pine Ridge, circa 1910. N: Bard at extreme left is oldest structure on Pine Ridge. Built in 1867 for August Bering by old French Louis. The store building was erected a year or so later. Bering bought possession of rights from J. W. Humpreys about 1870 and lived there until his death about 1883. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Bretz home, store and barn, circa 1915. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Ed Bretz's cabin, July 1915. N: Ed. Bretz's Rustic Bungalow. July 1915. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Armstrong's at Pine Ridge, Aug. 1913. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Bretz Shingle Mill, Pine Ridge, circa 1914. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Pine Ridge, circa 1915. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Shaver Lake Trading Post, circa 1920. N: Johnnie Harshman's 1st Trading Post @ Shaver Lake Heights. The Parker Studio on Huntington Lake, Cedar Crest, Calif. Robert A. Parker, photographer. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Michigan steam boat on Shaver Lake, 1908. N: Shaver Lake, CA 1908. Steam Tug Boat for hauling rafts of logs across lake, Andrew E. Weber engineer. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Outing on the Michigan steam boat, circa 1910. N: This is believed to be several members of the Shaver Lake Fishing Club, founded in 1905, and their guests on the Michigan, Mr. Shaver’s steam tugboat named for his home state. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Cattle in meadow near Shaver Lake, circa 1920. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | View of Shaver Lake, circa 1900. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Shaver Lake Mill, circa 1900. N: Lake. Mill & Kiln at Shaver. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Trees mirrored in Shaver Lake, circa 1910. N: Mirror effect - south end of Shaver Lake P.R. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Arch at Shaver Lake, circa 1915. N: Looking through the Arch at Shaver Lake. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Shaver Mill and flume, circa 1910. N: Mill, flume & yard with lake in the distance at Shaver. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Shaver Lake store in snow, circa 1910. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | View of Shaver Lake, circa 1910. N: Postcard that reads, "Dear Niece, Miss Mina Bryan I hope you had a pleasant Xmas and that the New Year may bring to you joys more lasting than these trying things of earth. Do you hear from Legahia[sp?] And may I ask where she is and what she is doing? And what and where is Stephen? Please hand him the enclosed card. This photo is one Phil took of the south end of Shaver Lake, one place we were the past summer. I shall hope to hear from you. Your Aunt, Flora" |
Shaver Lake store and post office, circa 1890. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Shaver Lake store, circa 1900. Shipp & Shipp, Photographers, Shaver, Calif. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Man on swing at Starkey cabin, circa 1930. N: Swing at Starkey Shaver Lake Cabin. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Family in front of Starkey cabin at Shaver Lake, circa 1930. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Shaver Lake in winter, circa 1930. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Man on ladder at Starkey cabin, circa 1930. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Driving up to Starkey cabin, circa 1930. N: On way to cabin @ Shaver Lake probably when I was in grammar school. Left to right: Clarence Starkey, Clarence Starkey, Jr. (son), Victor H. Buhler, Margaret Buhler. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Shaver Lake store and post office in snow, circa 1930. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Shaver Lake, circa 1920. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Looking across Shaver Lake, circa 1910. N: Looking west across Shaver Lake. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
View of Shaver Lake shore, circa 1900. N: Shaver near where we camped. From Bertha. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Faces in the rock near Shaver Lake, circa 1910. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Shore of Shaver Lake, circa 1900. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Shaver Lake shore in snow, circa 1900. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Meadow near Shaver Lake, circa 1920. Hollenbeck, photographer. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Barbed wire fence near Shaver Lake, circa 1920. Hollenbeck, photographer. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Trees near Shaver Lake, circa 1920. Hollenbeck, photographer. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Mountain scene near Shaver Lake, circa 1920. Hollenbeck, photographer. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Shore of Shaver Lake with logging debris, circa 1920. Hollenbeck, photographer. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Logs in Shaver Lake, circa 1920. Hollenbeck, photographer. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Shaver Lake shore with trees, circa 1920. Hollenbeck, photographer. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Sarver's Peak, Tollhouse, circa 1882. N: At right Yancey's Saloon. Shows beginning of old original Toll House Road along base of Peak. The wagon road was constructed by Woods Brothers with the help of John W. Humphreys and Moses Mock in 1866-67. John Rodd, B.G. [R.W. Riggs], Scenic Photographer. Fresno, California. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
View of Tollhouse, circa 1920. N: At Tollhouse. Taken from in front of hotel. Max Yancey's store in center front. Mrs. Frances Baley Yancey's home in background. Robert A. Parker Mountain Photographer. Bear Creek Studio, Huntington Lake, Calif. 1119 Franklin Ave. Fresno, Calif. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Wagon on Tollhouse Grade, circa 1900. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Road Saloon at Tollhouse, 1880. N: Sarvers Peak in background. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Toll Gate Oak, Tollhouse, circa 1920. N: Toll gate swung from the oak tree between 1868 and 1878. The gate was abandoned when Fresno County purchased the road in 1878. Looking south, fig trees in distance are in Yancey hotel yard. Robert A. Parker Mountain Photographer. Bear Creek Studio, Huntington Lake, Calif. 1119 Franklin Ave. Fresno, Calif. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
M.H. Yancey's Cash Store, circa 1915. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Tollhouse Hotel, Jan. 16, 1920. N: The old Yancey Hotel, the older portion of the Tollhouse Hotel, was built in 1868 by C.A. Yancey. The new part was built in the fall of 1881. During the days when cattle, mining and lumbering were the principal industries of the County, most of the prominent prople of this section were numbered among its guests. Robert A. Parker Mountain Photographer. Bear Creek Studio, Huntington Lake, Calif. 1119 Franklin Ave. Fresno, Calif. |
Tollhouse Hill, circa 1910. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Tollhouse scene, circa 1910. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Scene near Tollhouse, circa 1910. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Original Tollhouse Hotel, circa 1870. N: Built in 1868. First enlarged in 1881. Print copied from photograph in the possession of Mrs. Yancey. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Pleasant Vale Cemetery, Tollhouse, circa 1920. Robert A. Parker Mountain Photographer. Bear Creek Studio, Huntington Lake, Calif. 1119 Franklin Ave. Fresno, Calif. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Road near Tollhouse, circa 1900. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Approaching Tollhouse, Jan. 15, 1920. N: Shows bridge over Big Dry Creek. Sarvers Peak in background. Toll House Rock at upper right. In this view, showing the town of Tollhouse at the foot of the mountian, the famous old "Tollhouse Grade" is shown by the light line running up the side of the mountian. Photographed January 15, 1920 Robert A. Parker Mountain Photographer. Bear Creek Studio, Huntington Lake, Calif. 1119 Franklin Ave. Fresno, Calif. Fresno County Historical Society Archives. | Scene near Tollhouse, circa 1900. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Tollhouse from the hill, Jan. 16, 1920. N: This picture, showing Tollhouse in the valley, just at the foot of the mountains, shows how the early settlers located their towns - low enough to escape the severe winters of the higher mountians, yet close enough to be convinient for the cattle range, the mines and the lumber in summer. Photographed January 16, 1920 Robert A. Parker Mountain Photographer. | At the foot of Tollhouse Hill, March 1920. N: Brush piled along side of road was dragged down the hill behind wagons, to act as breaks. Robert A. Parker Mountain Photographer. |
Tollhouse, circa 1930. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Tollhouse fire, Aug. 3, 1931. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Tollhouse Hill, circa 1915. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Tollhouse Hill, circa 1920. N: The old Grade Hotel at lower left. Tollhouse, Fresno Co. Robert A. Parker Mountain Photographer. Bear Creek Studio, Huntington Lake, Calif. 1119 Franklin Ave. Fresno, Calif. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Snow at the top of Tollhouse Hill, circa 1930. N: Fire guard station on left. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Scene near Tollhouse, circa 1920. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
Tollhouse Rock, circa 1930. N: Tollhouse Rock, on old grade. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | Creeks below Tollhouse, circa 1920. N: Postcard sent from Tollhouse to Mr. & Mrs. A. L. Petrea Oilfields, Calif. Dear Friends, Please accept my heartiest congratulations and best wishes. I hope Ethel and baby are getting along fine. I would certainly like to see Lauraetta May and what does George think of her. Will write a letter soon. With best regards to all and lost of love to Ethel and the babies. Frances. This a picture of the creek as it was frozen over, taken below Tollhouse. |
Kutner Rock, circa 1920. N: On Toull House Road near the old James Urghardt place. Known as Kutner Rock. N.B. Profile[sp?] on outer edge of rock. Mrs. J.H. Burnett. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | M.H. Yancey's Cash Store, circa 1920. Robert A. Parker Mountain Photographer. Bear Creek Studio, Huntington Lake, Calif. 1119 Franklin Ave. Fresno, Calif. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
A view at Tollhouse, circa 1920. Robert A. Parker Mountain Photographer. Bear Creek Studio, Huntington Lake, Calif. 1119 Franklin Ave. Fresno, Calif. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. | A scene at Tollhouse, circa 1920. Robert A. Parker Mountain Photographer. Bear Creek Studio, Huntington Lake, Calif. 1119 Franklin Ave. Fresno, Calif. Fresno County Historical Society Archives, Fresno, California. |
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