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The Porterville Historical Museum was founded in 1965 and is housed in the old Southern
Pacific depot, constructed in 1913.
Prior to the arrival of early explorers, the San Joaquin Valley was occupied by the Yokuts Indians. The museum contains examples of their handiwork. |
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Representing the first pioneers are saddles, chaps, and other western
paraphernalia. Items used by the settlers include household items, furniture,
toys, and other accouterments of early Porterville life.
In the yard are examples of vehicles which serve to remind the visitor of the agricultural roots upon which Porterville's economy has been based. |
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Also featured in the yard area are a series of eight mosaics. Each mosaic
features a special place or event in the history of Porterville. These mosaics were
embedded in the Main Street sidewalk at various locations until their removal in 1996.
The Porterville Museum is located at 257 North D Street, and is open Thursday thru Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call (559) 784-2053. |
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The Zalud House is a nostalgic glimpse into the past. Built in 1891, it is one
of the few houses of that era that has not undergone extensive remodeling. The house
stands as it was built.
From the time the house was built, only the Zalud family lived in the home. It is furnished entirely with the original owner's possessions.
The Zalud House is located at 393 North Hockett. For more information, call (559) 782-7548. |
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#388 Tule River Indian Reservation
Text:"A reservation was originally established in 1857. Indians from a widespread area were brought here. The natives of this vicinity were the Koyeti tribe toward the west and the Yaudanchi tribe toward the east. Both were branches of the Yokuts indians that occupied the San Joaquin Valley. This location not proving satisfactory, the Tule River Indian Reservation was moved to its present location, ten miles south-east in 1873." Location: Alta Vista School, 2293 East Crabtree Ave, Porterville. |
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#413 Tailholt
Text:"Tailholt began as a gold mining camp about 1856 during the Kern River gold rush. Gold was obtained from placer and shaft operations. Mining has been carried on intermittently since the time of discovery. During periods of inactivity there has been a considerable settlement here. The name was changed to White River about 1870." Location: SW corner of County Roads M109 and M12, 8 miles South of Fountain Springs. |
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#471 Butterfield Overland Mail Route
Text:"This route, following an earlier emigrant trail, was laid out in the 1850s as part of the Stockton-Los Angeles Road. It was used by the Butterfield Overland Mail stages between St. Louis and San Francisco from 1858 to 1861. This was the first overland mail operated on a regular schedule." Location: SW corner of Hermosa Street and Highway 65, 1 mile West of Lindsay. |
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#473 Tule River Stage Station
Text:"Here Peter Goodhue operated an emigrant trail stopping place on the bank of the Tule River from 1854 until the river changed its course in 1862. This became a Butterfield Overland Mail stage station, 1858-61. It was kept in 1860 by Royal Porter Putnam who in 1864 founded Porterville, named for him." Location: SW corner of Main Street and Henderson Avenue, Porterville. |
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#648 Fountain Springs
Text:"One and one-half miles northwest of this point the settlement of Fountain Springs was established before 1855. It was at the junction of the Stockton-Los Angeles Road and the one to the Kern River gold mines. From 1858 to 1861 Fountain Springs was a station on the Butterfield Overland Mail route." Location: SW corner of County Roads J22 and M109, Fountain Springs. |
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