Tag Archives: Pony Hill Ranch
Wordless Wednesday: California Cow Chrome
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Wordless Wednesday: Second Spring
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Wordless Wednesday: So Much Smoke
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Wordless Wednesday: Baby Blues
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Wordless Wednesday: Brockle Baby
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Throwback Thursday: December 6, 1946
This week’s throwback post is fascinating to me because I love this woman’s nickname! Jinks!!
I found this picture among Sammie Brown Jr’s pictures. I can tell by the corral and mountains this was taken on the Pony Hill Ranch, in Indian Valley. The writing on the back says this is:
Silvergold Dick
March 31, 1944
Jinks Retzlaff
January 14, 1926
December 6, 1946
Most of Sammie’s pictures are of horses. I have over a hundred black and white photos of beautiful horses from this time. I know he was very well know for his horsemanship and taught many, many people lessons. In fact, I occasionally get emails from people that knew him back in the day. I love it because they often have interesting stories and tidbits for me.
I did a little digging and found out that indeed Jinks Retzlaff, aka, Frances Marion “Jinks” Retzlaff Velasco was a local Indian Valley girl. It appears that she and Sammie went to high school together. Jinks sounded like a really fascinating woman and according to her obituary it sounds like she had an interesting and fulfilling life. I know she still has family living, so if any of my readers know how I could contact them to get them this picture, that would be great!
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Wordless Wednesday: The Secret Lair
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Throwback Thursday: Little Brown’s
I thought this would be an appropriate time to post a picture of some my Dad’s family. This is a rare picture that has lots of information on the back. The top says “Little Brown’s Dec. 1956” then a list of names and birth dates. I know by the background is was taken in the Family house on Stampfli Lane.
From left to right:
Sandra D.
Carl E.
James E. (Jim)
Gary L.
Linda I.
Fletcher L. (Larry)
It’s also noted on the picture that “ALL have BLUE eyes”. It’s funny because the Brown family blue eyes are totally a thing. I have them, my Dad obviously has them, my Grandfather had them as well, but past that point I don’t know. All the pictures past my Grandfather are in black and white.
I think it is worth noting my Dad is the last surviving Brown brother.
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Throwback Thursday: The Browns
I’m excited about this Throwback Thursday. It’s one of the few photo’s that have names on the back and comes from my direct line of relatives. This is Sammie Jr., Hazel, Samuel and Fletcher Brown. My Great Uncle, Great Grandparents and Grandfather, respectively. They are standing in front of the family home on Stampfli Lane in Indian Valley. I would say this photo was probably taken in the late 1930’s or early 1940’s, based on Sammie Jr.’s age here.
After my Grandfather’s death, we briefly lived in this home for a few summers. I can safely tell you it was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. Between the family history and the varmints living in it, I screamed like a girl often. In addition to that, the water was from a hand-dug well – so it smelled like sulfur and turned my hair and nails red if I showered in it. I either had to bribe neighbors with food or go down to the campground to find a decent shower where I would actually smell better after.
Sadly, everyone in this photo has died. I was lucky enough to know my Grandfather and my Dad does have memories of his Grandparents, so stay tuned for some future blogs about them. This whole family is buried at Memorial Park Cemetery, Oroville, Butte County, CA, 5646 Lincoln Blvd, CA 95966.
- Hazel (Lucas) Brown born Feb 2 1890 died May 18 1967
- Samuel F. Brown born Mar 14 1883 died Oct 21 1960
- Samuel F. Brown born Sep 3 1926 died Aug 21 1954
- Fletcher Lucas Brown born 1921 died Nov 9 1995
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