Behind Bars in LaGrange and Hornitos-

Old Jails Still Standing-

The old Stanislaus County Jail in LaGrand. Photo: Steve Newvine

We have an opportunity in the Central Valley to touch history many times and in many ways. . That opportunity comes anytime we care to hop in our cars and drive a relatively short distance.

Two jails in former gold rush towns are of special interest. While neither no longer houses inmates, these former jailhouses remain in place thanks to the thoughtful preservation by area history buffs.

What is known as the Old Stanislaus County Jail stands at the intersection of Yosemite Boulevard and La Grange Road just over the county line.  

According to the description on the website NoeHill.com, the jail was built in 1900 to replace a jail that burned earlier that year.

When exploring it up close, the inside looks as though it might be the last place someone would want to be. It’s cramped, and in the days before heating and air conditioning, it was probably even more uncomfortable in extreme weather.

A look inside the Old Stanislaus County Jail. Photo: Syd Whittle, hmdb.org

The Old Stanislaus County Jail was in use for just six years, from 1856 to 1862. A new jail opened in Modesto and all functions surrounding the incarceration of inmates centered on that facility.

It is also interesting to note that the Old Jail was made of wood. All the other California jails recorded in the NoeHill website from that period were made of stone.

The building was restored by volunteers from the group E Clampus Vitus in 1976.  

The Hornitos jail in a black and white photo from the Library of Congress website.

Another old jail that still stands is in Hornitos, Mariposa County. Hornitos was a thriving gold rush town in the 1800s, and while those days are long past, several historic buildings remain including the jail.

The Historical Marker Data Base (HMDB.org) states the jail was built in 1854 around the same time as the Old Stanislaus County jail. According to the database site, it was likely built by Chinese labor living in the area. Stone blocks quarried in the nearby hills were used.

We can assume there were some dangerous characters spending time behind the bars in both jails. While the gold rush brought prosperity to the region, it also brought crime, criminals and the need for a place to hold the people who found themselves on the wrong side of the law.

There is a large ring of iron embedded in the center of the floor inside. It is believed this ring was used to shackle prisoners. There are iron rings attached to the inside walls presumably for the same purpose.

Hornitos Jail. Photo: Steve Newvine

Both jails are fascinating points of interest in the region. Both are relatively close to downtown Merced. While these former jails no longer keep inmates locked up, they stir the imagination as to what incarceration might have looked like back then.

Behind bars was a place no one wanted to be, then or now.

Steve Newvine lives in Merced.

His new book Beaten Paths and Back Roads is available at Lulu.com

Historical Marker Database, HMDB.org

NoeHill, NoeHill.com

Hallowed Ground at Never Forget Lane-

The California 9-11 Memorial in Clovis

The World Trade Center statue in the California 9-11 Memorial in Clovis. Photo: Steve Newvine

The California 9-11 Memorial in Clovis honors the victims of the attacks and the first responders who answered the call on September 11, 2001, in New York City, the Pentagon, and in western Pennsylvania.

The memorial started as an act of respect by the Chief Executive Officer of Pelco, David McDonald.

Pelco manufactures rescue camera equipment. The company provided hardware and support that was used to find the remains of many who perished on that day at the World Trade Center.  

Touched by the cruel attacks and the inspiring bravery of the first responders, McDonald set aside a conference room in Pelco’s headquarters to display icons retrieved from the rescue scenes and tokens of appreciation received by the company in the aftermath of the recovery efforts.

This soon led to the dedication of an outdoor memorial in front of the company’s main building.

The California 9-11 Memorial was noted for its large American flag.

The entrance to the California 9-11 Memorial. Photo: Steve Newvine

Change took place in the years following the initial dedication of that flag and the bronze plaque at its base.

Pelco was sold to Schneider Electric, David McDonald retired, the National 9-11 Memorial opened in New York City and most of the collection once held in Clovis was shipped east to be preserved by that new organization.

But back in Clovis, some folks would not let the idea of a permanent California Memorial pass. A non-profit was formed and funds were raised to enhance the outdoor memorial.

The mission statement of the California 9-11 Memorial is to never forget the civilians, first responders, and military personnel who died in the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

The California 9-11 Memorial never really closed.

Cook Land Company established a permanent monument site assuring that the Memorial will endure.

New features at the Memorial were dedicated in 2019 with additional features coming online in succeeding years.

A depiction of survivors from the attacks on the Pentagon at the California 9-11 Memorial. Photo: Steve Newvine

The new features include the 9/11 Memorial Monument, monuments from the three locations where the terrorist strikes took place, a spot honoring first responders, and a tribute to our armed forces.

All of this sits on a small piece of land with the address now known as Never Forget Lane in Clovis.

A person can spend a good deal of time walking around the memorial park.

Individuals and families can come to the site anytime. Arrangements can be made on the non-profit California 9-11 Memorial & Museum website for larger groups.

The vision statement of the group states “Through honor, education, and remembrance we are committed to memorializing those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.” 

But the most telling statement is the one a visitor reads upon entering the site. It reads: “Please enter the memorial with respect.”

Engraving on the step of the Flight 93 section of the California 9-11 Memorial. These were the words of one of the passengers in the flight that stopped the hijackers from attackers from a planned assault in Washington. Photo: Steve Newvine

The words are carefully chosen because they carry a lot of meaning throughout the park.

Whether it is the event timeline that depicts what was going on at various locations during the morning of September 11, or the explanations of why certain types of flowers were planted at the site, or even the heart-stopping mantra “Let’s roll” of the brave citizens on board Flight 93 as they moved ahead to stop the terrorists, words make a powerful impact.

The California 9-11 Memorial naturally gets a lot of attention every September.

But throughout the year, the non-profit encourages visitors. The organization engages young visitors with a writing, poetry, and art competition that awards prizes including trips to the National 9-11 Memorial in New York.  

The organization’s website captures some of the feelings of honor and respect for the victims of the attacks.  

The annual 9/11 Ceremony honors the brave and in 2023, the event brought in a first responder who survived the attack on the World Trade Center.

But the Memorial is open every day. It is easy to find, there’s plenty of parking, and there is no cost to attend. 

While people are encouraged to find the time to visit, the next best thing is spending some time browsing through the organization’s website.

Photographs and narratives help tell the story of how the state of California, through the initial dedication of one individual encouraged the volunteer spirit of the community, to create this sacred space.

Most folks from California will likely never get to New York City, let alone see the National 9-11 Memorial. This special place, about an hour’s drive from downtown Merced, is the next best thing.

Steve Newvine lives in Merced

His new book Beaten Paths and Back Roads, is available at Lulu.com

The California 9-11 Memorial website is California911Memorial.com