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Bears, Cougars, and Wild Animals of Pacific Valley
Winter in Pacific Valley meant bears in the stock pens and cougars in the hills.
Today’s featured story
From Mabel’s pen
Willey Cruikshank - Mining Was His Life
The boy who watched Chinese miners pan Salmon Creek struck the Last Chance mine — and vanished into the Lucias in 1937. His life, told by a woman who knew him.
Family spotlight
Samuel Plaskett (1784-1858) 1784–1858
Samuel Plaskett, born 1784 in Trenton, New Jersey, son of William Plaskett Jr. and Elizabeth [--] Plaskett. He was among the six children who accompanied his parents on the 1791 river voyage from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania to Ohio. The family arrived at Columbia, Ohio in March 1791 after sur…
From the album
More to explore
mabel article
Pacific Valley Gold Claims Still Producing
A dozen mining claims on Plaskett Ridge — including the arrastra her husband's grandfather built — and the gold still waiting in the family's hills.
mabel article
Parishioners’ Labor Has Built St. Luke’s
In 1884 three Plaskett brothers rode horseback from Pacific Valley to Jolon to raise a church — St. Luke's, built by its parishioners, standing yet.
mabel article
People From Every Walk of Life Lured by Coast Magic
Gorda: a handful of buildings against the pines, and a cast of characters from every walk of life — including an instant-portrait artist in the hills.
mabel article
Plaskett Creek Campground Is Popular Vacation Spot
The campground at Plaskett Creek sits on the family's first homesite — Mabel tells how the pioneers came over the Indian trails from Jolon.
mabel article
Plasketts Among Early Coast Settlers
How the valley was settled: William Lucas Plaskett's family clearing lilac 'grown to the dimension of small trees' — her classic account of the family's beginning.
mabel poem
Poems by Mabel Plaskett
A small gathering of Mabel's verse, opening with her poem for Mary Kirwan.
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