Hey Jeff! Thanks for stopping by our town. I’m a local up here, born and raised. I’ve lived on this hill for 29 years and I absolutely love our history up here. If you ever come back, I’d be happy to show you many other sites of historical significance. We have so much, it’s hard to just fit in one video. There is lots of Graves of original Miners from the gold rush, and lots of Native Mi Wuk grind stones in bed rock still around, Even the Chinese Graveyard, well hidden by over grown brush now. Again, thank you for covering some of our history!
Thank you for taking abuse to film this gem. I loved everything that you showed and talked about. And as for the guy yelling at you to get out of the road - that was his 15 minutes of fame - the annonymous yeller in History Hunter's Big Oak Flat episode.
Jared ; 👍😀😄😅 You really made my day here. It's quite possible that the "yeller", was from out of the area. In my many trips to Big Oak Flat, every person I met came across was polite and very friendly. There are exceptions though.
Hi Jeff.So appreciate the meticulous research into each of the episodes.Always so interesting🌟Unfortunately rudeness along with lack of common sense seems to be a growing trend in humanity😔
The Odd Fellows Hall had a door open one time when my daughter and i went to get gas at the Minors Mart and we looked inside: There was a dusty old warped wooden floor with a big heavy Safe that had collapsed partially through the floor on one corner. All the light fixtures were old white porcelain with the old exposed wires. Really cool looking inside. So cool you guys came again to our stomping grounds but I am disappointed you were treated so rudely! Wish I could have met you guys love the channel!
Thank you, Jeff for braving the tourist haters who probably make a good portion of their income from those “dirty” tourists. Lots of interesting buildings that were simple, but more importantly fire resistant. Jeff, you are willing to risk life, limb, and local resident scorn to bring us the the best history videos! I appreciate that.
I used to drive through here from Modesto to Yosemite and never noticed the town lol I just thought there were some old barns . The doors I remember because I thought I wonder if those were barns for horses. Or places for people to park their carriages. It’s been years and years since I’ve been to Yosemite. So I haven’t passed through these parts in years. Thanks for showing us this town. Sorry about the rude people. We appreciate you. 🙏
I don't watch TV much When I do its Andy Griffith, anything to do with the old west or its my favorite thing to watch "The History Hunters" So much history and places I would never know or get the chance to see if it weren't for your videos The love and passion for all you do is clearly seen in every video you create to share with us all. Thank you guys for all the wonderful videos and the happiness and smiles you always create for myself and so many others You guys are truly wonderful folks and best folks on youtube! I need an autographed pic for my wall of autographs
Thank you Jeff for a great episode of History Hunters. Thank you for taking the abuse and hurting your ankle just to give us a nice story. Hope your ankle gets better, and looking forward to the next episode.
Outstanding Jeff! History Hunters production quality just keeps getting better and better. I hope your ankle is better, thanks for taking one for the team. :)
@@jbenziggy It is hell when you get older. LMAO I am 67 now and have had 9 spinal operations by 6 different surgeons and in total they have all cause minor nerve damage. But all of that minor damage adds up to living on borrowed time and a ton of morphine being pumped into my spinal cavity. But with all of that morphine I am able to walk and talk and keep living. Otherwise I would have passed away about 15 years ago. No BS in what I said. So Jeff, you just keep on going and doing the great videos that you do! I think that we all have learned so much from you and your wife and son. Thanks!!
Thank you for doing this Jeff. I love the history of these old mining towns. Seems to me that a lot of people don’t care about this history and these old buildings any more. I love these old buildings and wish there was more interest in preserving them.
Oh man, nice job. You brought back a lot of fond memories. When I was in high school, I remember driving Priest Grade as I visited relatives around Sonora and the area. It was a fun drive for sure. I chuckled as I have driven by the building in Big Oak Flat, but never stopped. Its remarkable, with the building so close to the road, nobody has crashed into that building and knocked it down. Or maybe they have, building won. :)
I lived full time in Groveland for a year and let me tell you, it’s a completely different place in the winter! There really are mountain people that come to the grocery store to pick up essentials, they hunt for their meat, can most of what they grow and live like homesteaders. I’ve seen many men who look just like old miners coming into town for coffee and flour! You’re absolutely right though, plenty of rude people up that way, during 2020 was the worst! A home and land owner, who pay the huge taxes that give them water, electricity and especially the schools that educate the young are so conveniently forgotten when it suits them. Although, most people are kind and helpful, it’s the minority’s voice that you remember as the loudest! I have used plenty of those rocks on our property as I tried my hand at that skill, it’s hard work but the result is absolutely amazing! Thanks so much for your wonderful episode!
Idk what year you lived up here but we shopped for essentials only cause it's so over priced! Drove to Sonora for major shopping and every town has some special old timers
@@leannengle5771 hi, that would be about 10 years ago. I was mostly in awe of the fortitude the homesteaders especially because we had a lot of snow that year. We still have our place up there and we go mostly in the months that are cooler. Holy cow though, it is so busy now, it’s amazing, looks like they are building some sort of resort there off Ferretti road now.
@@nena4215 Yes it's so bissy many homes are vacation rentals in pine mountain lake. The resilience center is gonna be a community center , if power goes out they offer charging stations or air conditioning or fires there will be enough space for everyone its huge. Iv been up here for 28 years the cobden house we moved in when I was 14. The winters have changed and this has been one of the hottest summers yet or I am getting older with hot flashes
@@leannengle5771 yes, that’s where our place is, PML and yes, the weather has really changed, no more snow like we used to get! We’ve been up there for 26 years, that’s good to know it’s going to be a community center!
Went to second grade in Big Oak School. The street across the road called School St. lead right up to it was a two room school. Now it’s a private residence. Thanks for the history. Further up 120 a couple miles at the top of the grade going down into Groveland is Memorial Drive where you’ll find the Divide cemetery. My Grandparents are buried there Charles B DeGraff and Georgia M DeGraff born in 1882 in Arkansas and 1903 in Missouri. They brought their family out to this area from Locus Grove, Oklahoma in the 1940s where they worked picking cotton around Porterville until finding work in the timber industry and settling in Harden Flat, California.
They were better at 🔥technology than today's buildings, much better. It's funny how most talk about the good old days and clean life and real normal food, until you go see the graveyards. Fourfive-Years was a long life back in the day.. Thanks again for sharing your work! Awesome, it truly is.
Thank you very much! Yeah at times we think they were less advanced back then but sometimes I think we are regressing. Look at the buildings of long ago compared to the slop that goes up today. Plus our culture seems to be rotting quickly these days. I appreciate your feedback! Thanks very much again!
Boy, this one wasn’t easy for you! People being mean and physical injury. Hope you’re feeling better. I sure enjoy the details you give us that we would never know if we just visited these places. Thanks Jeff!
My old stomping grounds! We lived on La Grange Rd from 2006 to 2013. We would visit Sonora often and Groveland once or twice a year. You are right...we never stopped at Big Oak Flat! LOL
Thank you, you post great videos, Sunday morning breakfast viewing. I was thinking a great idea for a series is the California Missions. I was baptized at Mission San Jose in Fremont, CA and there's rich history with the Ohlone Indians.
Another wonderful video Jeff. We've been through this area many times on our Sojourn to Yosemite. My late father-in-law was in the Labor's Union where up to his retirement worked in construction. His Union Hall was located in Modesto. Many businesses in the area were partially built by the Labor's Union members. Dad usually worked as a foreman on these jobs. One such job was working on one of the roads leading to Yosemite. My wife has shown me pictures of her family camping close to the construction site so Dad wouldn't have to drive all the way back to Yosemite. The Hershey plant in Oakdale, and the Pamper plant in Modesto are just two of the jobs he worked on. Modesto J.C. West on Bluegum is another. This is a very beautiful area where much of California's History began. Thanks again Jeff for sharing another informative video with us. Stan
Thank you Stan! If I ever moved I don’t think I’d find a place with more history with the exception of the east coast. Thanks for sharing your dad’s interesting experiences!
Thank you again for another great and informative video 😊 I love your narrative which gives me an understanding of what it was like to live back than…. 🇳🇿
Like you I have been through there several times but was never able to stop. You noticed I have been blowing through your videos.. it’s because what you do is my favorite.. your format is unprecedented!! I am off work and down with back problems.. got an MRI today and was surprised when the doctor called a few hours later to tell me I severe nerve damage and she’s done an urgent referral to the surgeon.. so waiting to hear from them as the pain meds and History Hunters help manage the pain
Awesome video Jeff, I’ve lived up here my whole life and you’ve showed me things I was not aware of, also 100 apologies for the disgusting behavior of some of the locals, they DO NOT represent the whole, keep up the great work!!
Thanks, Jeff for sharing your knowledge....really enjoyed the video...we too have passed this many times...next time we go to Yosemite...we will stop....and your video will be the reason.
I've noticed people being very angry and uptight with the pandemic restrictions getting renewed time and again. I sympathize because I've had trouble keeping my equilibrium and have to practice meditation to center myself. I try to remember some people are really having a rough time in all ways and to respond to hostility in kind means the enemy wins and we as a civilization lose. I've never been to Tuolumne County or Big Oak Flat so your video was very informative and interesting. I try to go to places in the off-season to stay away from people and traffic. When I see you two in crowds, you are where I will never be, so it's cool. I'm so glad you are interested in all this stuff and love watching your videos.
Thank you again! Yeah I think locking down free people like caged animals is bound to cause some folks to lose their cool very easily. I also think it's affected the driving skills of some folks judging by what I see on the road. So glad to hear that you like our videos! Much appreciated!
Thank you for sharing the stories of these buildings. I can't tell you how many times I've driven past them and wondered about them. I would love to see inside them some day.
Thank you so much for doing the leg work on this history. I myself have driven passed these monuments millions of times and have always wondered yet never stopped. Love it! Come to Markleeville, California! The back side of Lake Tahoe ♥️ Kelly Carlson
Priest Station Cafe is at the top of Priest Grade. Take the old grade to see how steep they had to climb with horse and buggy, it’s hard today with automobiles. I lived and worked in Yosemite Hodgden Meadows and loved all the history leading up to the Park. Millions RACE up that road every year and ignore what they’re driving through. Good history video , glad you liked the area.
Hey Jeff awesome video that's a neat looking place I like them old mining towns alot of history outthere I really enjoy your videos you and Sara are awesome randy from Kentucky God bless.
Sarah was not feeling well that day. It was shot the day after our Yosemite visit and if you saw that she had a bad headache on this, the day home. Thanks for mentioning missing her!
The historic places you find are so interesting.These buildings are quite beautiful! That sure is a busy little highway! Sorry for your ankle and the rough way you had!
Hello Jeff and Sarah, I like to thank you for sharing and teaching us this part of California. It's amazing how rude people can be especially while filming no respect. Have a Wonderful day 🌞
another great video jeff,it brings back a lot of memories.thank you for all these videos of california.i have been living in nashville tennessee since 69.this is my wifes channel.c.t.h.
Thanks! Love the comment. We went through that little town a few weeks ago and I couldn’t help but think about the guy who got irate because we parked on his flat dirt lot (thinking it was an undeveloped park.)
Those old buildings and old graves are always fun to see. It brings you back in time for a moment. Thanks for the work you put in with research and narrating, and editing. I really enjoy your channel and videos. Sorry those guys were so grumpy towards you. Life is too short to spend time being miserable. I hope they realize that before it’s all done.
As always, I learned more watching your video than via any other source I've previously looked at! My father's father's side of the family had ancestors who mined at Dutch Flat off of I-80.
Another great video. It is sad how people now-a-days are so....so.....nasty/angry when it comes to seeing a person with a camera walking around older buildings. I remember how people here in Texas would always wave when you drove by. If you stop and went into their small stores you were always greeted with by all the local people and the store's owner. Friendly, just plain friendly. But just like you experience Jeff, those days are long gone. I have waved to police in their cars and have them turn around and stop me to ask if I had just flipped them off. Fortunately you continue on with your amazing videos with so much History in them. Many thanks.
I'm not daunted by rudeness. I realize how people are. Now my subscribers are all very encouraging and supportive people --- among the best people! Thank you for your encouragement, David!
Really cool nugget of history! I love these old towns and the history behind them! You guy’s are doing awesome work! Thank you as always for all the hard work you do and look forward to the next one! Take care now! Frank from Philadelphia, PA.
@@jbenziggy your very welcome! And yes a little later than usual. Up late making sure I have everything ready for the kids start back to school tomorrow. It’s that time of year again!
Harry cobden was my great uncle and I lived in that house for years! Camped in the old jail spent alot of time in those buildings .The cobdens donated to historical society in 2007
Thank you for this interesting video! I’ve been on Oak Flat Road dozens of times but never stopped here. I usually go into Yosemite via 140 though, so I’m on Oak Flat Rd sometimes, but not going through Oak Flat. Will make it my mission to stop here next time I go to Hetch Hetchy. Another foothill town that has a similar vibe is Hornitos. I just found your channel. Wow, so many episodes. I’ll be busy for a while! It always amazes me. One can live in an area for decades and never know some of it’s history. Until one stumbles into a certain UA-cam channel! 😀
Welcome! Glad you found our channel sooner than later. We have done about 140 episodes since starting four years ago. They sure steal a lot of my time with all the editing! Please leave comments when you are led to!
Another excellent presenetation! My grandmother's good friend (a Stevenot of Murphys) from San Jose (California State) Normal School (a teachers' college) began her years at the Groveland Elementary school beginning circa 1900. Coming down Priest Grade you can pretty much burn out your brakes.....take the re-route.
In defense of the locals, 90% of the Highway 120 traffic through here is Yosemite visitors and not locals. Also, it is a concern when someone when someone parks a hot car on a vacant lot, most of which have very dry grass right now. Not sure if that was the case but so sorry about your two bad experiences. I am from Groveland, and Big Oak Flat is a little rough on the edges but most are very friendly. If you wave, they usually wave. So looking forward to your upcoming video on Groveland, which was recently published in one of the "Images of America" books. More cemetery's for you to check out and don't miss the Museum!
No, the lot was completely a dirt lot, no chance for fire hazard. I thought it was being prepped for a park because there was a sign on it. The man could have politely said it was his property and could I move the car. No, he was angry, gave Sarah a death stare in the car and came around and barked, "Is that your car on my property? Get it out of there." Very abrasive. Thanks for enjoying our channel.
I think we have some of his houses in Sonora & Columbia as well. The house next door to our old house I grew up in on Stewart St. in Sonora looks just like the yellow house you just showed us.
Thank you again for another great history hunt.. As was previously commented ,sorry about the bad experience that you had from the land owner.. never mind, good resulting video. hope Sarah is ok..
Thanks very much. Sarah wasn't feeling good that day so our visit was cut short but we shot other video that day which will be out soon! Sarah is often plagued with bad headaches so prayers are always appreciated!
Hi Jeff. Love your You Tube videos. Keep up the good work. I am an overseas subscriber living in South Wales in the UK and would really appreciate if you could put a map of California at the start of your videos tagging the towns that are in the video. Many thanks. Ron Chalmers.
Thank you so much for the visit to Big Oak Flat! How we miss Tuolumne County! Highway 49 was always a favorite of ours to drive when visiting Gold Country! In fact I’m sitting here looking at a ring I have made with placer gold from Coarsegold. Thanks Jeff & Sarah for all you do to bring these pieces of “home” to us each week. We really look forward to the trip down memory lane!
Yeah, the town I am going to retire in hopefully, there are a few unfriendly characters. There is this one guy who builds fences and I have seen his work, so I have been trying to say "hi" to him when he comes walking done my street and he doesn't even look at you. I don't think I am going to hire him to build one of my fences. His loss, not mine. If you hadn't grown up there, you are an outsider. Most people I have found friendly and warm and that is why I am retiring there. It is what it is. I do like your details, you really research most of the stuff you talk about, thank you, I have and will keep enjoying your channel!
Thanks! I look forward to your next Arlington video. Last time I was there was in 2001 right after the terrorist attacks. Bad time to go but that’s what happens when you book a month ahead of time. Who would know?
Love your channel ❤️ Just a suggestion, you should do an episode on Henry Miller (cattle king). Los Banos and Gilroy have some history of him. His summer home ruins are in Mt Madonna County park. Beautiful park for hiking or trail running at Gilroy.
Sorry for you're bad experience, Jeff; but the resulting video was another good one for us. I am sure the subscribers like me thank you for that.
My family rented the old yellow house you showed for the summer when I was nine. It was soooo haunted!
Hey Jeff! Thanks for stopping by our town. I’m a local up here, born and raised. I’ve lived on this hill for 29 years and I absolutely love our history up here. If you ever come back, I’d be happy to show you many other sites of historical significance. We have so much, it’s hard to just fit in one video. There is lots of Graves of original Miners from the gold rush, and lots of Native Mi Wuk grind stones in bed rock still around, Even the Chinese Graveyard, well hidden by over grown brush now. Again, thank you for covering some of our history!
Thank you for taking abuse to film this gem. I loved everything that you showed and talked about. And as for the guy yelling at you to get out of the road - that was his 15 minutes of fame - the annonymous yeller in History Hunter's Big Oak Flat episode.
Jared ; 👍😀😄😅 You really made my day here. It's quite possible that the "yeller", was from out of the area. In my many trips to Big Oak Flat, every person I met came across was polite and very friendly. There are exceptions though.
The "yeller" is another example of that quality that humans excel at, hypocrisy. I'm sure he's been an inconvenience at least once in his life.
Hi Jeff.So appreciate the meticulous research into each of the episodes.Always so interesting🌟Unfortunately rudeness along with lack of common sense seems to be a growing trend in humanity😔
The Odd Fellows Hall had a door open one time when my daughter and i went to get gas at the Minors Mart and we looked inside: There was a dusty old warped wooden floor with a big heavy Safe that had collapsed partially through the floor on one corner. All the light fixtures were old white porcelain with the old exposed wires. Really cool looking inside. So cool you guys came again to our stomping grounds but I am disappointed you were treated so rudely! Wish I could have met you guys love the channel!
Thank you, Jeff for braving the tourist haters who probably make a good portion of their income from those “dirty” tourists. Lots of interesting buildings that were simple, but more importantly fire resistant. Jeff, you are willing to risk life, limb, and local resident scorn to bring us the the best history videos! I appreciate that.
I used to drive through here from Modesto to Yosemite and never noticed the town lol I just thought there were some old barns . The doors I remember because I thought I wonder if those were barns for horses. Or places for people to park their carriages. It’s been years and years since I’ve been to Yosemite. So I haven’t passed through these parts in years. Thanks for showing us this town. Sorry about the rude people. We appreciate you. 🙏
Hello Jeff and Sarah, I enjoy your presentations. I am a history graduate myself from Australia.
So thank you both, very interesting.
You said, "Leave a like." I always love your videos. Thanks
Awesome but there is no “love” button on UA-cam! LOL
Love the history, thank you Jeff! Enjoyed watching this episode. 🇺🇸🚜👍
I don't watch TV much When I do its Andy Griffith, anything to do with the old west or its my favorite thing to watch "The History Hunters" So much history and places I would never know or get the chance to see if it weren't for your videos The love and passion for all you do is clearly seen in every video you create to share with us all. Thank you guys for all the wonderful videos and the happiness and smiles you always create for myself and so many others You guys are truly wonderful folks and best folks on youtube! I need an autographed pic for my wall of autographs
Enjoying watching these older videos as well as the current ones. Thank you for bringing us pieces of California history.
Thank you for taking me places I would love to see.
Most people just pass through this little village on their way to Yosemite National Park. Glad you liked this historical stroll!
Thank you Jeff for a great episode of History Hunters. Thank you for taking the abuse and hurting your ankle just to give us a nice story. Hope your ankle gets better, and looking forward to the next episode.
How have I overlooked this episode?! Awesome. Thanks History Hunters!
Our pleasure! Thanks, Ricky!
Jeff, top-notch as always... The research, the legwork, the pics, etc. are all so appreciated... This was so interesting. 👏🤠👏
I loved this Jeff. Thanks for tolerating the abuse from the locals for us.
Outstanding Jeff! History Hunters production quality just keeps getting better and better. I hope your ankle is better, thanks for taking one for the team. :)
Thanks. I had to suspend running since then because I think I sprained my ankle and the doctor said it could take months before it heals!
@@jbenziggy Oh no... Sorry to hear that. Godspeed.
@@jbenziggy It is hell when you get older. LMAO I am 67 now and have had 9 spinal operations by 6 different surgeons and in total they have all cause minor nerve damage. But all of that minor damage adds up to living on borrowed time and a ton of morphine being pumped into my spinal cavity. But with all of that morphine I am able to walk and talk and keep living. Otherwise I would have passed away about 15 years ago. No BS in what I said. So Jeff, you just keep on going and doing the great videos that you do! I think that we all have learned so much from you and your wife and son. Thanks!!
Dinner time!! Sitting down to enjoy my meal and your great videos....TV dinner tray ready now just push play...Thx..Every Sunday...
It's Chef Boyardee pizza and History Hunters every Sunday night!!!
Thank you for doing this Jeff. I love the history of these old mining towns. Seems to me that a lot of people don’t care about this history and these old buildings any more. I love these old buildings and wish there was more interest in preserving them.
Oh man, nice job. You brought back a lot of fond memories. When I was in high school, I remember driving Priest Grade as I visited relatives around Sonora and the area. It was a fun drive for sure. I chuckled as I have driven by the building in Big Oak Flat, but never stopped. Its remarkable, with the building so close to the road, nobody has crashed into that building and knocked it down. Or maybe they have, building won. :)
Sunday morning, cinnamon roll, coffee and History Hunters !
Thanks again
Although it's 3 years later I still appreciate the channel Jeff.
It's been 49 years since I stopped at Oak Flat. Thanks
The Old Wells Fargo building with all the business inside, sounded like the first indoor mall..another interesting video! Love those old pictures!!
Jeff you do a great job of the history hunters videos I enjoy tham all keep them coming 👍👍
The perils of being a history hunter lol, thanks Jeff, a super video.
I lived full time in Groveland for a year and let me tell you, it’s a completely different place in the winter! There really are mountain people that come to the grocery store to pick up essentials, they hunt for their meat, can most of what they grow and live like homesteaders. I’ve seen many men who look just like old miners coming into town for coffee and flour! You’re absolutely right though, plenty of rude people up that way, during 2020 was the worst! A home and land owner, who pay the huge taxes that give them water, electricity and especially the schools that educate the young are so conveniently forgotten when it suits them. Although, most people are kind and helpful, it’s the minority’s voice that you remember as the loudest! I have used plenty of those rocks on our property as I tried my hand at that skill, it’s hard work but the result is absolutely amazing! Thanks so much for your wonderful episode!
Idk what year you lived up here but we shopped for essentials only cause it's so over priced! Drove to Sonora for major shopping and every town has some special old timers
@@leannengle5771 hi, that would be about 10 years ago. I was mostly in awe of the fortitude the homesteaders especially because we had a lot of snow that year. We still have our place up there and we go mostly in the months that are cooler. Holy cow though, it is so busy now, it’s amazing, looks like they are building some sort of resort there off Ferretti road now.
@@nena4215 Yes it's so bissy many homes are vacation rentals in pine mountain lake. The resilience center is gonna be a community center , if power goes out they offer charging stations or air conditioning or fires there will be enough space for everyone its huge. Iv been up here for 28 years the cobden house we moved in when I was 14. The winters have changed and this has been one of the hottest summers yet or I am getting older with hot flashes
@@leannengle5771 yes, that’s where our place is, PML and yes, the weather has really changed, no more snow like we used to get! We’ve been up there for 26 years, that’s good to know it’s going to be a community center!
Went to second grade in Big Oak School. The street across the road called School St. lead right up to it was a two room school. Now it’s a private residence. Thanks for the history. Further up 120 a couple miles at the top of the grade going down into Groveland is Memorial Drive where you’ll find the Divide cemetery. My Grandparents are buried there Charles B DeGraff and Georgia M DeGraff born in 1882 in Arkansas and 1903 in Missouri. They brought their family out to this area from Locus Grove, Oklahoma in the 1940s where they worked picking cotton around Porterville until finding work in the timber industry and settling in Harden Flat, California.
They were better at 🔥technology than today's buildings, much better.
It's funny how most talk about the good old days and clean life and real normal food, until you go see the graveyards. Fourfive-Years was a long life back in the day..
Thanks again for sharing your work! Awesome, it truly is.
Thank you very much! Yeah at times we think they were less advanced back then but sometimes I think we are regressing. Look at the buildings of long ago compared to the slop that goes up today. Plus our culture seems to be rotting quickly these days.
I appreciate your feedback! Thanks very much again!
Boy, this one wasn’t easy for you! People being mean and physical injury. Hope you’re feeling better. I sure enjoy the details you give us that we would never know if we just visited these places. Thanks Jeff!
Yeah I left there thinking, man, that was a bad experience. LOL. On top of that, Sarah wasn't feeling well and we had to make a quick visit that day.
All of your videos are amazing and interesting. Thank you‼️👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks very much! It’s a thrill hearing that!
My old stomping grounds! We lived on La Grange Rd from 2006 to 2013. We would visit Sonora often and Groveland once or twice a year. You are right...we never stopped at Big Oak Flat! LOL
Thank you, you post great videos, Sunday morning breakfast viewing.
I was thinking a great idea for a series is the California Missions. I was baptized at Mission San Jose in Fremont, CA and there's rich history with the Ohlone Indians.
Another wonderful video Jeff. We've been through this area many times on our Sojourn to Yosemite.
My late father-in-law was in the Labor's Union where up to his retirement worked in construction. His Union Hall was located in Modesto. Many businesses in the area were partially built by the Labor's Union members. Dad usually worked as a foreman on these jobs. One such job was working on one of the roads leading to Yosemite. My wife has shown me pictures of her family camping close to the construction site so Dad wouldn't have to drive all the way back to Yosemite.
The Hershey plant in Oakdale, and the Pamper plant in Modesto are just two of the jobs he worked on. Modesto J.C. West on Bluegum is another.
This is a very beautiful area where much of California's History began.
Thanks again Jeff for sharing another informative video with us.
Stan
Thank you Stan! If I ever moved I don’t think I’d find a place with more history with the exception of the east coast. Thanks for sharing your dad’s interesting experiences!
Love California history! Been through there many times! Great video! Thanks Jeff!
You bet! Thank you!
Thank you again for another great and informative video 😊 I love your narrative which gives me an understanding of what it was like to live back than…. 🇳🇿
Like you I have been through there several times but was never able to stop. You noticed I have been blowing through your videos.. it’s because what you do is my favorite.. your format is unprecedented!! I am off work and down with back problems.. got an MRI today and was surprised when the doctor called a few hours later to tell me I severe nerve damage and she’s done an urgent referral to the surgeon.. so waiting to hear from them as the pain meds and History Hunters help manage the pain
Hope you will heal, friend! Sorry for your medical problems. Glad we are helping in some small way.
Thank you again for great video and information on sites I have seen many times too without stopping.
Love your channel , So much info 12min, Will keepon watchen. Thanks Jeff/Sarah,.... Peace
Thank you! We appreciate the support!
Awesome video Jeff, I’ve lived up here my whole life and you’ve showed me things I was not aware of, also 100 apologies for the disgusting behavior of some of the locals, they DO NOT represent the whole, keep up the great work!!
No worries! I didn't let it deter me. I am glad you liked our video! Thanks for the encouragement!
Thanks, Jeff for sharing your knowledge....really enjoyed the video...we too have passed this many times...next time we go to Yosemite...we will stop....and your video will be the reason.
I've noticed people being very angry and uptight with the pandemic restrictions getting renewed time and again. I sympathize because I've had trouble keeping my equilibrium and have to practice meditation to center myself. I try to remember some people are really having a rough time in all ways and to respond to hostility in kind means the enemy wins and we as a civilization lose. I've never been to Tuolumne County or Big Oak Flat so your video was very informative and interesting. I try to go to places in the off-season to stay away from people and traffic. When I see you two in crowds, you are where I will never be, so it's cool. I'm so glad you are interested in all this stuff and love watching your videos.
Thank you again! Yeah I think locking down free people like caged animals is bound to cause some folks to lose their cool very easily. I also think it's affected the driving skills of some folks judging by what I see on the road. So glad to hear that you like our videos! Much appreciated!
Really enjoy your vids. Love the history you research and provide to your viewers. Thanks so much!
We really appreciate your words of affirmation and are delighted in knowing that you enjoy our episodes of History Hunters!
Good one Jeff. I love those old buildings!
Thanks for putting up with mean people to bring us another Great video!
Thank you for sharing the stories of these buildings. I can't tell you how many times I've driven past them and wondered about them.
I would love to see inside them some day.
Love the histories of all these places.Since l can’t travel this is wonderful!
Thank you so much for doing the leg work on this history. I myself have driven passed these monuments millions of times and have always wondered yet never stopped. Love it!
Come to Markleeville, California! The back side of Lake Tahoe ♥️
Kelly Carlson
Stay safe. I've been monitoring the River Fire and the Caldore/Dixie ones. Yikes. So glad Grover Hot Springs intact.
Thanks Jeff! Great little piece of history
Very much enjoyed this and all the History this video gave us Very well done Jeff loved it Thankyou for sharing it
Thank you Lindsay! You have a card in the mail!
Priest Station Cafe is at the top of Priest Grade. Take the old grade to see how steep they had to climb with horse and buggy, it’s hard today with automobiles. I lived and worked in Yosemite Hodgden Meadows and loved all the history leading up to the Park. Millions RACE up that road every year and ignore what they’re driving through. Good history video , glad you liked the area.
I work for preist station cafe . Big oak flat definitely has a lot of neat history thanks for the video
Great video as usual! Had no idea about this place, as soon as the smoke clears we'll drive over to see it1
Will be doing videos on Groveland as well. I think there’s more in Groveland to see. Thanks for watching!
Hey Jeff awesome video that's a neat looking place I like them old mining towns alot of history outthere I really enjoy your videos you and Sara are awesome randy from Kentucky God bless.
Thank you once again! We have a great friend in Kentucky! God bless you too!
Another interesting, informative and entertaining video. Loved it! Did not see Sarah with local animals though. Thanks Jeff😊👍
Sarah was not feeling well that day. It was shot the day after our Yosemite visit and if you saw that she had a bad headache on this, the day home. Thanks for mentioning missing her!
Jeff your a good guy . Take care my friend.
This video was so interesting 😊 We really enjoyed this wonderful video. Thankyou Jeff 🤩🤩
My pleasure!
I always wanted to know about that area, I've been passing through there for more than 40 years without knowing about the little jail, thank you!
I have been to Big Oak Flat in the early 1980's, had a relative who lived in Mocassin. Love Love Love your channel!
Awesome reporting Jeff. Howell Howser would be very proud. You sure have picked up where he left off.
Thanks only I’m not on PBS and probably never will be.
The historic places you find are so interesting.These buildings are quite beautiful! That sure is a busy little highway! Sorry for your ankle and the rough way you had!
Thanks very much! The ankle is doing better but it’ll be awhile before I feel I can run without injuring it more.
Hello Jeff and Sarah, I like to thank you for sharing and teaching us this part of California. It's amazing how rude people can be especially while filming no respect. Have a Wonderful day 🌞
another great video jeff,it brings back a lot of memories.thank you for all these videos of california.i have been living in nashville tennessee since 69.this is my wifes channel.c.t.h.
Thx Jeff your vids are truly awesome! Lots of b holes in small towns !
Thanks! Love the comment. We went through that little town a few weeks ago and I couldn’t help but think about the guy who got irate because we parked on his flat dirt lot (thinking it was an undeveloped park.)
Thanks Jeff for another interesting segment. I found it interesting how the graves were terraced on the hill.
Another wonderful video! Love how you tell the stories of these sometimes forgotten towns.
Thank you very much, Jennifer! We aim to please!
Those old buildings and old graves are always fun to see. It brings you back in time for a moment. Thanks for the work you put in with research and narrating, and editing. I really enjoy your channel and videos. Sorry those guys were so grumpy towards you. Life is too short to spend time being miserable. I hope they realize that before it’s all done.
As always, I learned more watching your video than via any other source I've previously looked at! My father's father's side of the family had ancestors who mined at Dutch Flat off of I-80.
Another great video. It is sad how people now-a-days are so....so.....nasty/angry when it comes to seeing a person with a camera walking around older buildings. I remember how people here in Texas would always wave when you drove by. If you stop and went into their small stores you were always greeted with by all the local people and the store's owner. Friendly, just plain friendly. But just like you experience Jeff, those days are long gone. I have waved to police in their cars and have them turn around and stop me to ask if I had just flipped them off. Fortunately you continue on with your amazing videos with so much History in them. Many thanks.
I'm not daunted by rudeness. I realize how people are. Now my subscribers are all very encouraging and supportive people --- among the best people! Thank you for your encouragement, David!
Good one jeff i really enjoyed this episode. And be safe out there 👍
Really cool nugget of history! I love these old towns and the history behind them! You guy’s are doing awesome work! Thank you as always for all the hard work you do and look forward to the next one! Take care now! Frank from Philadelphia, PA.
Thank you again, Frank! I always look forward to your input. You must be watching later than normal! LOL
@@jbenziggy your very welcome! And yes a little later than usual. Up late making sure I have everything ready for the kids start back to school tomorrow. It’s that time of year again!
Just got done watching the one on big oak flat
Loved it
Keep up the good work
I've probably gone by these places a few times and didn't give them any thought. Thanks for filling in the blanks...
It's nice of you to visit history , awesome job
We appreciate you watching and “tagging” along with us! Thanks for the comment too, Andrea!
Always love learning from your vids Jeff! Thnx again for your insights!
Harry cobden was my great uncle and I lived in that house for years! Camped in the old jail spent alot of time in those buildings .The cobdens donated to historical society in 2007
Thank you for your videos. Be safe out there.
Thank you for this interesting video! I’ve been on Oak Flat Road dozens of times but never stopped here. I usually go into Yosemite via 140 though, so I’m on Oak Flat Rd sometimes, but not going through Oak Flat. Will make it my mission to stop here next time I go to Hetch Hetchy. Another foothill town that has a similar vibe is Hornitos. I just found your channel. Wow, so many episodes. I’ll be busy for a while! It always amazes me. One can live in an area for decades and never know some of it’s history. Until one stumbles into a certain UA-cam channel! 😀
Welcome! Glad you found our channel sooner than later. We have done about 140 episodes since starting four years ago. They sure steal a lot of my time with all the editing! Please leave comments when you are led to!
Thank you for another great video! Hope your ankle is ok. That looked like a dangerous road to be on. Be careful out there, people can be crazy!
Another excellent presenetation! My grandmother's good friend (a Stevenot of Murphys) from San Jose (California State) Normal School (a teachers' college) began her years at the Groveland Elementary school beginning circa 1900. Coming down Priest Grade you can pretty much burn out your brakes.....take the re-route.
Thank you Jeff! I always look forward to your videos keep up the good work!
Enjoyed watching this episode Thanks
Great to hear! Thank you!
Always professional joy to have new vids
Thanks Jeff, another great video.
In defense of the locals, 90% of the Highway 120 traffic through here is Yosemite visitors and not locals. Also, it is a concern when someone when someone parks a hot car on a vacant lot, most of which have very dry grass right now. Not sure if that was the case but so sorry about your two bad experiences. I am from Groveland, and Big Oak Flat is a little rough on the edges but most are very friendly. If you wave, they usually wave. So looking forward to your upcoming video on Groveland, which was recently published in one of the "Images of America" books. More cemetery's for you to check out and don't miss the Museum!
No, the lot was completely a dirt lot, no chance for fire hazard. I thought it was being prepped for a park because there was a sign on it. The man could have politely said it was his property and could I move the car. No, he was angry, gave Sarah a death stare in the car and came around and barked, "Is that your car on my property? Get it out of there." Very abrasive. Thanks for enjoying our channel.
I think we have some of his houses in Sonora & Columbia as well.
The house next door to our old house I grew up in on Stewart St. in Sonora looks just like the yellow house you just showed us.
People can be so grouchy. Thanks for the video.
That was great Jeff. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it, Melissa! We appreciate the nice compliment!
Thank you again for another great history hunt..
As was previously commented ,sorry about the bad experience that you had from the land owner..
never mind, good resulting video. hope Sarah is ok..
Thanks very much. Sarah wasn't feeling good that day so our visit was cut short but we shot other video that day which will be out soon! Sarah is often plagued with bad headaches so prayers are always appreciated!
That’s Sad to hear. But please accept my family’s thoughts for Sarah and you of course.
And hopefully she will be speaking to the animals soon xx
Hi Jeff. Love your You Tube videos. Keep up the good work. I am an overseas subscriber living in South Wales in the UK and would really appreciate if you could put a map of California at the start of your videos tagging the towns that are in the video. Many thanks. Ron Chalmers.
Glad i found this channel
Wow! We’re glad you found us too! Thanks so much!
Unbelievably great research.Terrific!
Thank you so much for the visit to Big Oak Flat! How we miss Tuolumne County! Highway 49 was always a favorite of ours to drive when visiting Gold Country! In fact I’m sitting here looking at a ring I have made with placer gold from Coarsegold. Thanks Jeff & Sarah for all you do to bring these pieces of “home” to us each week. We really look forward to the trip down memory lane!
Makes my heart glad that we are helping lots of folks who miss California! Thanks guys! Hope all is well in Tennessee!
@@jbenziggy we’re hunkered down waiting to ride out whatever Ida decides to do. Thanks!♥️
@@jbenziggy and we are so grateful for your program! Keep up the awesome work!
Your the man!!!!! Great stuff once again👊🏻
Yeah, the town I am going to retire in hopefully, there are a few unfriendly characters. There is this one guy who builds fences and I have seen his work, so I have been trying to say "hi" to him when he comes walking done my street and he doesn't even look at you. I don't think I am going to hire him to build one of my fences. His loss, not mine.
If you hadn't grown up there, you are an outsider. Most people I have found friendly and warm and that is why I am retiring there. It is what it is.
I do like your details, you really research most of the stuff you talk about, thank you, I have and will keep enjoying your channel!
Thanks very much! What town are you retiring in?
@@jbenziggy I'm sorry Jeff, someone or UA-cam keeps deleting my replies...
@@concerned1313 they can’t delete your replies. Only I can and I haven’t.
@@jbenziggy I just put 3 or 4 up and they are already gone. I know it isn't you. Did you get my e-mail address?
@@concerned1313 no I didn’t get your email address.
This was so cool!!!! Thank you for taking all the abuse it takes to get a good video.
Thanks! I look forward to your next Arlington video. Last time I was there was in 2001 right after the terrorist attacks. Bad time to go but that’s what happens when you book a month ahead of time. Who would know?
Yes, it's getting better and better!
Love your channel ❤️ Just a suggestion, you should do an episode on Henry Miller (cattle king). Los Banos and Gilroy have some history of him. His summer home ruins are in Mt Madonna County park. Beautiful park for hiking or trail running at Gilroy.