In Part 3, we saw John “Charles” Fremont sent to California in 1845 by President Polk under the guise of doing topographical studies, but in reality to lead revolts against the Mexican government. Fremont was sent to gain control of the territory. The motivation for the United States government was the discovery of gold in the “Alta California” area. Fremont became Acting Governor of the territory of California. He purchased half interest in the San Emigdio Land Grant, just north of today’s Pine Mountain Club and running into the southern San Joaquin Valley. He passed through these Mountain Communities on his regular trips through the state. While co-owner of that rancho, Fremont ran for president of the U.S. against James Buchanan. Our region hosted a presidential candidate, but not a president.

By Bonnie Kane, Ridge Route Communities Museum Historian

A Pioneering War Pilot

Moving forward to the 1900s, it was difficult to find records of local residents serving in World War I. We do, however, have stories from a number of WWI veterans who settled in Lockwood Valley.

With a war in Europe pending, a future Lockwood Valley resident, Lewis Plush, became one of the first to enlist in a student aviation training program at the University of California. He quickly advanced to the…(please see below to view full stories and photographs)

Photo captions:

Lewis Plush (center) stands by his plane with two fellow soldiers in the newly formed Army division that would later become the United States Air Force.

The Fast brothers (l-r) Tom and Pennington (‘Penn’), c. 1917, visited Lewis Plush in Lockwood Valley and settled there a few years later.

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This is part of the August 6, 2021 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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