Local reads for Merced County history buffs, available at the Courthouse Museum

While curling up in your cozy blanket and sipping your hot cocoa, all you need is a good book for a cold winter Merced day.

Here are some of my recommendations for local history books that can be found in the Courthouse Museum Gift Shop.

“Snelling: First County Seat of Merced” by Delores J. Cabezut-Ortiz is the newest publication from Merced County Historical Society.

Covering the history of Snelling from 1850 to 1970, this interesting read of the colorful, sometimes violent, past provides insight into why Snelling was called the cradle of the County.

With many color photos, the book costs only $10. Delores is the author of several books, including “Merced County: A Golden Harvest” and “Merced Falls: Early Industrial Center.”

While Snelling was the first county seat, the building of the railroad led to Merced becoming the county seat in 1872 and the center of commerce. “Bik’s Picks: Midcentury Merced Revisited” ($12.95) by Mike Bik offers a nostalgic walk down memory lane. The Historical Society published this 72-page book with over 120 historical photographs in 2010. It takes a close look at the downtown businesses and places of interest that existed from the 1950s and 1960s. The author hopes that within the pages of this book, readers will find memories of how things were, where to shop, eat, watch a movie, or buy a car, and what one saw cruising the drag.

Southeast of Merced is a town called Le Grand, whose history is as rich as its soil. Released in 2007 by the Historical Society, “Le Grand History: Memories of Le Grand History Club” ($9.95) features over 45 historical photographs and 36 stories by former Le Grand Historical Club members. It explores the experience of Le Grand and Plainsburg communities in these subject headings: Native Settlement, Explorer, Pioneer, Farming, Transportation, Business, Education, Community, Church, and Disaster. Captivating stories, like Lydia Anne Kahl’s diary of her 1859 westward journey to California and John Samuel Wallis’ grain farming revolution, chronicle the life and exemplify the wisdom of the pioneers.

Moving on to the West Side, we have seven volumes of “Dos Palos High School Reunion Books: 2002-2008” ($10 to $20 each) by Docia Robinson. Released in 2009 by the Historical Society, each volume contains news articles from the Dos Palos Star, oral histories from family members, artwork by local artists, maps, and historic photographs of Dos Palos. It is an excellent compilation of Dos Palos’ early history from the 1890s to the 1940s. The author was a graduate of Dos Palos High School.

The most populous town on the West Side is Los Banos. For its early history, the following book is a must read: “The Road Over: Center Point - Old Los Banos - Pacheco Pass” ($15.95), edited by Charles Sawyer. Published by the Milliken Museum Society in 2002, this book illustrates the history of the Pacheco Pass from its genesis as a Yokuts Indian trading footpath to Lt. Gabriel Moraga’s exploration route and still later as a toll road operated by Andrew Firebaugh. Pacheco Pass opened the Central Valley to trade, provided a passage to travelers and settlers, and helped establish Henry Miller’s cattle empire.

To learn more about Henry Miller, one should also read “One Man Show: Henry Miller in the San Joaquin” ($25), edited by Charles Sawyer in 2003. As he did with “The Road Over,” Charles edited Ralph Milliken’s extensive research and presented an in-depth biography of Cattle King and Land Baron Henry Miller’s successful life. The book is “full of stories and tales told by the people who knew and worked with and for Miller. Some are characters, some are saints and a few sinners tossed [sic] in the lot. In many ways the story of Henry Miller is a morality tale,” according to the Milliken Museum Society, the book’s publisher.

Equally important to Merced County history is Charles Henry Huffman, the founder of Merced City. His biography, “Pioneer Genius: Charles Henry Huffman” ($14.95), was written by Colleen Stanley Bare and published by the Merced County Historical Society in 2003. Huffman was a teamster and wagon builder during the gold rush, the “Wheat King” of the Central Valley, and the instigator and builder of Merced’s irrigation system. Huffman’s influence was widespread and felt throughout the Valley. His adventurous and dramatic life makes this book a page turner.

Another exciting read is the biography of Joaquin Murietta, who frequently visited the region before Merced was even a county. “The Truth about Joaquin Murietta” ($25) by J. C. Cunningham was initially published in 1938 and was reprinted in 1997 upon the request of the author’s grandson Jim Cunningham. Since the death of Joaquin Murietta, the discussion continues as to the identity of the leader whose band was attacked and captured by the California Rangers on July 25, 1853. Taken from interviews with pioneers who had known or had contact with Murrieta, the author carefully examines his life, leaving the reader to make up their own mind concerning Joaquin Murrieta’s final days.

Also available for purchase in the Museum Gift Shop is the 2023 Merced County Historical Society calendar, which features the first 100 years of Merced County high school history (1895-1995).

The Merced County Courthouse Museum wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! The Museum will be closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.

Sarah Lim is director of the Merced County Courthouse Museum.