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Living History Day in Rancho Cordova

By
Real Estate Agent

Rancho Cordova History Day - May 2010
(Slide Show contains 9 images)

On Saturday, the Greater Sacramento Area experienced temperatures in the glorious 70s.  After spending an hour at a local Farmer's Market, I found myself in close vicinity of Rancho Cordova's First Living History Day. 

The event was held at one of the oldest buildings in Rancho Cordova.  The American River Grange No. 172, was formed in 1874, and the Grange Meeting Hall built in 1882, for the Patrons of Husbandry most commonly known as Grangers.  Most of the members were local ranchers and farmers concerned for the well-being of their livelihood.  The Hall was a central gathering place for the local community social events, dances, and potlucks.

The Grange Hall was the perfect place to host Living History Day.  The activities on site included Covered Wagon Rides, Historical Tours, Dancing, Food Canning and Dutch Oven Cooking Demos.  There was also a Pioneer Picnic, with Fried Chicken, Beans, Biscuits and Apple Crisp prepared by the Cordova High Culinary Academy.  The meal was served for a mere $5.00 donation.

The American River Grange Hall is located at 2720 Kilgore Road, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670, and is available for renting and hosting of social events.  For reservations, contact Shirley Thomas at (916) 806-7149.

Posted by

Myrl Jeffcoat ActiveRain Signature
  

Comments(16)

Suzanne Strickler
Realty Mark Associates - Havertown, PA
School is never out for the Successful.

Myrl - It looks like it was a fun packed day for everyone.

May 03, 2010 07:51 AM
Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

Myrl, I would find this facinating if I were there!  I love things like this!  Thanks for sharing!

May 03, 2010 08:49 AM
Brigita McKelvie, Associate Broker
Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd. - Lehigh Valley, PA
The Broker with horse sense and no horsing around

Myrl,

Wish I could have been there.  We have a Grange Hall in my area.  Unfortunately, it is up for sale.  The younger generation is not interested in continuing on and the older generation is slowly dying off.

Brigita

May 03, 2010 09:27 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Myrl, The secret key to our futuree has always been through the past. A wonderful event to remember and rekindle that past. It was probably never as good as we remember but it also was never as bad as portrayed by some. Love these wonderful ties to a very different era. Well done!

May 03, 2010 11:16 AM
Diane Daley
Caron's Gateway Real Estate - Northumberland, NH

Would love to see horse drawn wagon's traveling the streets... I was born in the wrong era...

May 03, 2010 11:51 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Suzanne - It was very relaxed and enjoyable.  There probably wasn't more than a couple hundred people present while I was there. 

Tony and Darcy - I was fascinated talking with a Japanese lady who had written a book, "Kiyo's Story."  She had gone to the one room school house that still exists in the community.  But, at age 19 was living in a Japanese Internment Camp during WWII.  She is 87 years old now, but doesn't look a day over 50. 

Brigita - The grange hall here was up for sale for a very brief time in the 1980s.  However, the grange members realized the mistake it would be to sell it.  I'm so glad they kept it as it is.

William - So true!  As I tell my grandkids - "Those that forget their history, are condemned to repeat it."

Caron's - I often think I was born in the wrong era too!

May 03, 2010 12:19 PM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Myrl - living history is the best way to learn ..... show don't tell ..... passing on our heritage to the younger generation, at least to those who have an interest, ensures that our heritage will live on.

May 03, 2010 12:46 PM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Myrl, our Grange's here are shrinking down, it is a shame. Love the photos, this was a great idea! Thank you!

And I am soooooo happy to be able to TELL you these things, LOL.

May 03, 2010 02:41 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Kathy - So true about passing on our heritage.  Believe it or not, even I learned the true definition of the Grange, on saturday. 

Andrea - Oh, I fully understand about being able to TELL me these things:-)

May 03, 2010 03:16 PM
Debi Boucher
Real Estate Showcase Photography - Woodland Park, CO
"Realtor Showcase" - Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours

Hi Myrl! I love events like these - but you know me, the consummate history buff. How nice that the weather cooperated, too - We had snow this weekend!!! Enough already! LOL

Debi

May 03, 2010 04:09 PM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Myrl, This looks like a lot of fun and a good turnout for the event too!

May 03, 2010 04:38 PM
Jim Cheney
Saint Francis Property Santa Rosa, CA - Santa Rosa, CA
Rincon Valley Realtor 707.494.1055

The Grange were a type of Agricultural Freemasons

May 03, 2010 05:40 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Debi - I do too!  They are usually relaxed and comfortable!  I never use to be that interested in history.  But the last decade or so, I have kicked it up a notch:-)

Mary - The turnout was just the right amount of folks to make this a great event!

Jim - That's my thinking too!  I had to laugh, they said the the railroad was their enemy.  Back in the 1800s when the railroad was being developed, agriculture, ranching, and farming often clashed with railroad development interests.

May 03, 2010 07:38 PM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Myrl, Living History Day looked like a great way to spend a day.  I think that the quilt makers are absolutely incredible.  It must take patience to work to make the quilts. I have a couple of handmade ones at home.

May 04, 2010 10:58 AM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

What great fun, but you should consider making the pictures smaller so that the complete picture will show up on the computer screens of people still using older monitors and different screen sizes.

May 07, 2010 01:27 PM
David Gabris
Gabris Real Estate - Rancho Cordova, CA
Professional Service with Excellence

Great job sharing about this event Myrl!  I have to admit I have never heard of a Grange Hall, but this looks like a wonderful event.  Thanks for the info.  Rancho Cordova has a lot of great history! 

Jul 28, 2010 04:40 PM