Let’s Talk Clovis: 1870 & 1880 Christmas at Academy
We share two Academy Christmas stories as remembered by sisters Jane Cole Estill, Harriet Cole Blasingame and Emma Cole Heiskell. Their parents, William T....
Let’s Talk Clovis: Clovis role model, Seferina Herrera Franco (1916-2018)
Seferina Herrera Franco was born on Aug. 26, 1916. We celebrated her 100th birthday at the Clovis Museum on Aug. 27, 2016. We are...
Let’s Talk Clovis: John Chambers, Academy Constable
Michael J. Chappell, great grandson of John Chambers, provided the following information based on family history and Paul Vandor’s 1919 “History of Fresno County.”...
Let’s Talk Clovis: Honoring local Gold Star heroes and all veterans
I began the “Let’s Talk Clovis” presentations in September of 2001. On Oct. 9 of that year, the following WWII veterans shared their war...
Let’s Talk Clovis: 1868 Academy Church – Part 2, Oldest Continuing Church in Fresno...
We continue the history of the 1868 Academy Church pioneers who spiritually and financially supported their Church. In 1872, they built the Academy school...
Let’s Talk Clovis: 1868 Academy Church, Oldest Continuing Church in Fresno County
This historic 1868 Academy Church is a small wooden one-room sanctuary. The majestic Sierra Nevada is visible from the front door. The church has...
Let’s Talk Clovis: The Clovis Independent; May 7, 1953
In 1953, the town of Clovis had a population of approximately 3,000. The city limits had not expanded from the 1912 (1.00 square mile)...
Let’s Talk Clovis: The Clovis Independent
In 1953, the town of Clovis had a population of approximately 3,000. The city limits had not expanded from the 1912 (1.00 square mile)...
Let’s Talk Clovis: 1915 and 1920 Clovis Sanitariums and 1944 Clovis Sierra Vista Hospital
Early Clovis pioneers relied on home remedies and traveling physicians to provide their medical needs. Doctors were on duty 24 hours, seven days a...
Let’s Talk Clovis: Clovis Oil Fields, 1909 & 1916
Fortune hunters turned their interest from gold nuggets to “liquid gold” in Fresno County in the late 1860s.
The City of Coalinga made its...
Let’s Talk Clovis: Kingen Family 5-10-15 Cent Store (1938-1946)
Dime stores evolved in the late 19th century. They became a major contributor to our economy. Frank Woolworth was the first to establish the...
Let’s Talk Clovis: Heroic pioneers and their amazing flume
Water, timber, mineral and the scenic beauty of the Sierra Nevada provided a significant economic base for early day Clovis. California was booming and...
Let’s Talk Clovis: Ernest Harwell (1885-1971) musician, inventor and Clovis mentor
We shared information in our last article on the talented Harwell family. In addition to being a talented musician and inventor, Ernest Harwell authored...
Let’s Talk Clovis: The Harwell Family
Jasper M. Harwell, a farmer and native of Tennessee, married Mary Logan in Murfreesboro, Arkansas on Oct. 24, 1876. They arrived in Santa Rosa...
Let’s Talk Clovis: Maude Kirkpatrick Bell, 1895-1959
Albert and Ella Kirkpatrick arrived in Clovis in 1895. They rented the upstair rooms of the 1891 Southern Pacific Railroad Depot east of Fourth...
Let’s Talk Clovis: ‘Clovis Rodeo Memories’
By Elaine Bell & Peg Bos, Clovis Museum
Elaine Bell is the granddaughter of Maude Kirkpatrick Bell, who was born in Clovis on April 19,...
Let’s Talk Clovis: Family of Francis Smith Estill
The spelling of the Estill name has been changed many times. The first record of the family name was “d’Estelle” in a 1525 marriage...
Let’s Talk Clovis: The Williams’ 1910 ‘house’ wagon trip to Monterey
We are sharing portions from a diary of a 1910 “house” wagon trip from Clovis to Monterey that was recorded by Mary E. Williams....
Let’s Talk Clovis: 1919 Clovis High School ‘Argus’
We believe the first Clovis High “Argus” was published in 1910 and ended in 1929. The school began publishing it’s Cavalcade in 1937.
WWI began...
Let’s Talk Clovis: 1924 Clovis First State Bank robbery
The First State Bank in Clovis was established in 1903 by Richard Norrish (1844-1939) a wealthy immigrant from England. The first bank was located...
Let’s Talk Clovis: Board of Trustees and Clovis Ordinances of 1912
The City of Clovis was incorporated on Feb. 27, 1912. Local merchants, civic leaders and churches had begun passionate civic discussions and demonstrations against...
Let’s Talk Clovis: ‘Humor in Sunday School’ by Arthur Chedister
Arthur Chedister wrote about the early history of Clovis. His articles were printed in the Clovis Independent from 1953-1954. He was born in Clovis...
Let’s Talk Clovis: 1917 Fresno County and Clovis
We want to share information that was published by the Fresno County Chamber of Commerce in 1917. It was titled, “Fruitful Fresno, The Superlative...
MUST READ
City of Clovis offers a sigh of relief for local federal employees
Due to the ongoing government shutdown, the City of Clovis is offering aid to local federal employees who are currently affected. On Wednesday, Jan....
Letter from the Publisher: Time for some R&R – Reflection and Resolution that is
Looking back at 2018 my first response is WOW! What haven’t we accomplished?
This past year has been the most substantial year for us since...
Hokit earns Bulldog Wrestling’s first-ever Big 12 Wrestler of the Week honor
IRVING, Texas - Fresno State junior 197-pounder Josh Hokit was voted the Big 12 Wrestler of the Week on Monday, as selected by the...
Three board members sworn in at Clovis Veterans Memorial District
The Clovis Veterans Memorial District Board swore in three members on Thursday, Jan. 10 at the Veterans Memorial Building. Incumbents Tom Wright and Susan...
