Lake County Historical Society

Here is where we recap some of the recent events in which the Lake County Historical Society has participated.

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June 22, 2008: Everyone had a fine time at the annual LCHS picnic, which was held at the Lakeside County Park on June 22. Starting at 1 p.m., the several hundred attendees enjoyed good company, good food, a good raffle, and the usual good guest speakers.

Skies hazy with smoke from the recent Northern California wildfires, however, fairly much blocked the view of the topic of those speakers — Mount Konocti and the possible acquisition thereof. After an interesting and informative talk on the geology of the mountain by Geologist David Adam, Lake County Supervisor Rob Brown and Analyst for the Public Works Department Jacque Armstrong explained the acquisition process and outlined possible county plans for the property once it is acquired. The audience paid rapt attention and asked many questions about this important project.

A pictorial account of the picnic is below.

Welcome to the picnic!

LCHS booths.

Raffle prizes.

One view of the event.

Another look.

A fine spread of food was on hand.

Geologist David Adam explained the geology of Mount Konocti.

Historical Society President Randy Ridgel.

Rob Brown and Jacque Armstrong.

Brown and Armstrong with a map of Mount Konocti.

A raffle prize being drawn.

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April 27, 2008: The LCHS held its most recent meeting for general members at the new clubhouse in Nice. The meeting was very well attended and the clubhouse was filled almost to capacity.

The featured speaker was Bob Lossius, Assistant Director of the Lake County Department of Public Works, who gave a very interesting lecture on the history of the levees on the north edge of Clear Lake. The construction of those levees resulted in the destruction of much of the natural wetlands in the area, and an extensive effort is now underway to restore a large portion of those natural areas. Mr. Lossius provided the rapt audience with a thorough progress report on the current status of that effort. He also made several handouts available which provided information additional to that given in his talk.

Also on hand was local author K. C. Patrick, who spoke about (and sold!) copies of her new book The Pomo of Lake County. This book is an entry in the “Images of America” series, and anyone who is interested in the history of the local Native Americans should get a copy.

Ample refreshments were available to the crowd, and several lucky attendees went home with prizes won in the raffle.

The meeting was additionally siginificant — even historical! — in that it was the first assembly of the general membership of the Lake County Historical Society ever to be held in our very own building!

See below for a photographic summary of the meeting.

Temporary signs assure attendees that they’re at the right place.

The clubhouse parking lot was close to overflowing.

Society President Randy Ridgel addresses the crowd.

It was almost a full house at the new Nice clubhouse.

Bob Lossius describes the progress of the project to restore wetlands to the northern part of Clear Lake.

K. C. Patrick discusses her book The Pomo of Lake County.

A lucky raffle winner selects the next prize winner.

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April 19, 2008: The Society had a booth at the the Earth Day Event at the Calpine Geothermal Visitor Center in Middletown. The weather was great (if a bit windy) and attendance was fine too, as hundreds of spectators enjoyed the activities and presentations. Among the many booths at the fair was one set up by the Lake County Historical Society to solicit memberships, sell books, and answer questions. Many people stopped by the booth to express interest in the Society and its projects.

The LCHS booth.

Books on sale at the Society’s booth.