2013 Reunion

Above is the flyer for the 2013 Tagus Ranch Reunion. Hope to see many of you there.

2012 Reunion

I have been receiving calls and emails regarding a Tagus Ranch Reunion for 2012. It is usually held each year the Saturday before Father's Day; that would be June 16th for this year. I called the Tulare County Parks Reservations for Mooney's Grove but no reservation is made under the name "Tagus Ranch" for Father's Day weekend or the weekend before. There could be a reservation under a private name but I do not know who is organizing the reunion this year. Of course this is assuming that anyone is actually planning the event. If I find out any new information I will be sure to post it. Please call me or post on the blog if you have any information regarding a reunion for this year. Thank you and I always look forward to seeing everyone.

Still Working

An email reminded me that the inactivity on the blog may lead a person to believe that the project has been abandoned but this is not so. I have had great success and disappointment at the same time. Several individuals had declined to be interviewed. I think that some believe that what they do remember is unimportant and what they have forgotten is important but this is not true (as I always tell them). Two individuals that I know of have passed away and their memories with them. I am deeply saddened that I did not get to them in time.

I have conducted three very successful interviews, all of which produced information that can not be found in a newspaper or public records, only in a memory. I was overjoyed to learn that so many past Tagus Ranch residents have wonderful stories to share. Each interview makes it easier to create an image in my mind as to how it must have been to live on the ranch. I am currently seeking additional interviewees, with the help of Linda at the Tulare Historical Museum. I am working at full speed now that my draft thesis project is due in June. I know that no matter how many more interviews I am able to conduct I have at least documented enough to create a picture of the past. Social history is always so hard to capture once too much time has passed but this time, I believe I have succeeded with the help of many others.

The Big Day Arrived

Well I was there, at the reunion and so were many, many others. I was surprised at how many people lived on the Ranch after Merritt's death, well into the 1960s. Besides learning several valuable tidbits, I met quite a few interesting individuals that will make perfect candidates for the oral history program. I hope that as we develop a relationship, that they will grow comfortable with me and share all the valuable information stored in their memories.

Research Moving Forward

Well, my research is moving along. I just finished editing and enlarging several photographs that the Tulare Historical Museum was kind enough to share with me. I will have several poster size enlargements of Tagus Elementary School Class pictures at the Reunion. For those of you who do not already know, several of the past residents and school mates of Tagus Ranch meet each year and reminiscence. This year the event will be held on Saturday, June 21st at Mooney Grove in Visalia. I hope to see many of you there and have the opportunity to discuss your experiences at the Ranch.

Hi. I am so very excited to have started this project. As I conduct my research into the people who made Tagus Ranch the unique community in which it was, I become more and more anxious to begin meeting with individuals. I have several names already and hope that many others will come out of the woodwork over the next several months. Please feel free to post comments and tell me what your experiences were. I look forward to getting to know you and recording your important contributions.