Tulare County History of
Farm Labor and Agriculture Museum

Although the official opening of the Tulare County History of Farm Labor and Agriculture Museum isn't scheduled until Dec. 17, the 17,000-square-foot, two-story barn structure has been “cleansed” of any lurking evil spirits.

You see pholks, the Tule River Painted Rock Singers performed at last week's dedication ceremony in Mooney Grove – drumming and chanting – and then performed a sage blessing as part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by several hundred invited officials and others who tasted wine and other refreshments and viewed the new facility. The tribal members also planted some sage around the new building as an added incentive to keep unwelcomed spirits out.

Maybe county officials and others should have summoned the Native Americans a couple months ago to get rid of any unkind spirits who could have already done naughty things. No county officials will officially admit it, but there have been whispers that some spirits from past ages may have had something to do with keeping all those large custom-made energy-efficient windows from being delivered on time and throwing things well off schedule.

The “smart glass” windows incorporated in the architect's design are to let in natural light, yet block heat and UV light waves from entering, reduce cooling and heating costs, and protect exhibits from harm. Although the “smart glass” idea has been touted as providing an impressive structural enhancement, it may not have sat so well with some “smart …” ancient spirits taking a dim view of the modern world.

Plans originally were to have the museum dedication coincide with the celebration of the Mooney Grove Centennial in mid-October. But contractors were stymied without having the windows and could not move ahead with a series of other finishing touches. Things like sealing and painting the massive floor and installing other features, moving in exhibits and furnishings.

One county official used the phrase “domino effect” to describe the impact of the window snafu, but would not respond to my questions about “evil spirits.”

Now officials, who say only two of eight interactive kiosks comprising a high-tech Regional Learning Center are ready, believe all eight will be up and running when the new facility is officially opened to the public Dec. 17.

But, and it's only a suggestion, I would be sending some smoke signals to the Tule River Painted Rock Singers to come back and cleanse all that high-powered, high-tech and highly complex gadgetry just to make sure.

Drums and sage don't have to be plugged in, take batteries, or be updated and protected from hackers and all that.

TURNING TO ANOTHER PAGE IN LOCAL HISTORY, local history buff Terry Ommen has an update which seems to clean up a bit of mystery of the advertisement painted on the brick wall on the northeast corner of Johnson and School Streets in Visalia.

Early this year, I mentioned the sign which was exposed to better public view when an adjacent building was demolished. The sign reads “Wagons, Farm Implements, Grain,” under a smaller sign reading “L Guggenhime Dealer.” Of course, I turned to history guru Terry Ommen who quickly came up with some preliminary research. He found out that an L Guggenhime was a wagon dealer listed in a 1890s San Francisco directory. He also was listed as a partner in the Quines Creek Gold Mine, apparently a San Francisco-based mining claim.

Last week, Ommen e-mailed a note saying he ran across a couple historical articles convincing him that L Guggenhime “was almost positively a resident and businessman in Visalia” and owned the brick building referred to in documents and maps as the “Pioneer Warehouse.” Ommen said the articles are dated 1876 and 1877 and he now believes L Guggenhime sold the building in the 1880s or early 1890s and moved to San Francisco.

Prior to this latest discovery, Ommen believed Guggenhime to be a Bay Area businessman who was advertising his products locally. Now Ommen says he plans to dig a little deeper in hopes of finding more about early business in the area.

MORE GOOD HISTORICAL NEWS: In case you missed it or just want to get hold of a few more 2006 Dinuba Centennial Books, now is a good time to stock up.

About 400 of the commemorative 140-page books are being sold for $20 plus tax, a $10 discount, said Dinuba City Clerk Linda Barkley who added the city will hold onto 50 to 100 copies for organizations or presentations.