April 25 - Wednesday "Are you there, Mrs. Larimore?"

Since the beginning of my research, the marriage of Solomon and Anna Flynn had been surrounded in mystery. One thing I knew for sure is that they began their life together in a very secluded spot on the edge of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We drove due east from Madera through some beautiful rolling country to find out more about the place. As we descended into the valley I began to understand how important the location had been for this town, now called Oakhurst. This little valley, with the former name of Fresno Flats, had been an important crossroads, the place loggers and miners came to get their mail, stock up on supplies or just have some fun.

1880 Directory

Solomon and Anna lived here in 1880 for a brief time. According to MC KENNY’S PACIFIC COAST BUSINESS DIRECTORY CALIFORNIA 1880-81
he had a dry-goods shop with a partner named Phil Schmitz, and he is listed in the phone directory for that year as the postmaster. The couple stayed together in Oakhurst for no more than two years because the record of his travels shows that Solomon spent most of the 1880's traveling and seeking his fortune.

Oakhurst today serves as the last stop before the rather long and winding road that leads to the south entrance to Yosemite National Park. It is an international point of interest with several large hotels along the main highway.

Unlike most of the visitors, Deb and I had a totally different agenda. We drove straight to the edge of town, to the living history museum, Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park, to see some buildings that have been preserved from our great grandfather's time. Unfortunately, it was nearly 4:00 PM when we arrived and the museum was officially closed.

Old Homestead and Jail Door

The late day sun was tinged with orange as we stepped out of the car and stood gazing at another world. On our right was a classic one-room school house. On our left stood a tiny two-story Victorian house painted yellow. Other buildings showed their age as well; a livery stable and a twin log cabin with thick square beams. Walking around a bit I came upon a mobile home behind the little town and knocked on the door. It was the home of the caretaker for the museum who, after hearing about our journey, was extremely gracious to us and offered to take us around.

Double Cabin with Wide beams

Two hours later we were still immersed in the tales of the town, its buildings, and its people. We also learned that our guide had insights into the buildings that went far beyond historical. Though she is legally blind, it turned out that she had been the host to several ghost hunters and had, on many occasions, seen strange signs. This was especially true in the Victorian house they call the "Larimore House." It had been the home of a well-to-do merchant, the same occupation as our grandfather, and I had been looking forward to this part of the tour the most.

Laramore House ( see website for more)

It was when we reached this point in our tour that it began to take on an otherworldly feel. As we entered the kitchen our guide had been telling us that the children who visit on class trips tend to upset the ghosts. She then spoke to Mrs. Larimore directly: "Hello Mrs. Larimore! Is it OK if we take a look around?" Deb and I shared a side glance. We weren't uncomfortable, but mildly taken aback. (Later we decide that we both agree that there isn't anything wrong with it. Many people believe in earthbound spirits.)

From noted biographies of Madera

It turned out that something really interesting did happen in that house. A picture hanging on an upstairs wall answered one of my questions about Solomon's connection to the town. It was a picture of Jake Myers, Solomon's old boss! It turned out that Jake and his brother Charles had lived here when they were youngsters and that Charles had married one of Larimore's daughters. Charles' picture was also upstairs along with a picture of the real estate business that Jake eventually owned in Madera many years later, thus connecting the dots between Firebaugh's Ferry, Madera and Fresno Flats!

Another interesting story comes from the Larimore legacy. Our guide told us that Jake and Charles, in a moment of youthful indiscretion, had held up a Wells Fargo stage. They got caught "red-handed" as they say and turned away from crime, but many of the people in that area never forgot.

From then on the names Fresno Flats and Myers had become irrevocably linked together and that situation didn't sit well with Mrs. Larimore, whose daughter had married Charles. She got so tired of hearing remarks about her son-in law, that she took it on herself to petition the courts to change the name. The funny thing is, research shows that she didn't get a single name from anyone living in or near that town on that petition.

Are you listening Mrs. Larimore? Nobody else wanted to change the name!

While we were still upstairs we all had a good laugh when we were startled by the sound of a cat's me-ew. It was Deb's cellphone ringtone, but for a moment none of us was sure if the doors were open or closed to the spirit world.

Dinner in the Room

After our tour, which included access into every wonderful corner of that museum’s collection, we headed off to find lodging. With our usual aplomb we disregarded our normal instincts to shop price and instead checked out the best hotel on the strip. Deb worked her magic on this one and got us a beauty of a spot with a great view, three beds and two rooms- at a reasonable price. Thus proving one of her mantras: it never hurts to ask!

We didn't have plans for our next move, all we knew was that we were going to stay there for a while and think about it. And what a place to be! We didn't know it yet but the highlight of our trip was just around the corner, in a place perfect for honeymooners, just like our great grandparents must have thought when they came here as newlyweds.