Fresno Mansion
The impressive home of Martin Theo Kearney was constructed between 1900 and 1903, at the center of his five thousand-acre Fruit Vale Estate. Kearney was from a Boston family of Irish immigrants. He ventured to San Francisco as a young man and learned from a land agent how to develop land for sale to farmers.

According to Tara Stevens, from the Fresno Historical Society, "Kearney was really one of the first land developers. He was a very successful man who learned the art and the business of developing land. He bought large parcels of land in the Central Valley and he made them attractive and immediately usable to farmers, because he built roads and insured water rights."

In constructing the roads and guaranteeing water rights, Kearney became known as the man who started the farm colony system in the Central Valley…selling twenty-acre parcels for a thousand dollars each.

Stevens adds, "what many people wanted and what he wanted for those people was to make a living and to have a piece of land to call their own and be able to make a living from that."
Although he lived in it for three years, the Kearney Mansion was actually built to house the land superintendent. Kearney had plans for a much larger home for himself, called "Chateau Fresno". He may not have lived to see his dream fully realized, but what he left behind is a remarkable legacy. A vibrant raisin industry in the San Joaquin Valley and a magnificent mansion and park. His gift to the people of California.

Tara Stevens says, "When I stand in the Kearney Mansion, I have a sense of the Central California dream…of the Central Valley dream. And I think Kearney would be amazed and delighted that one hundred years later, we are taking people through this mansion and reminding them of the valley's heritage and of what one man wanted for the people who called the Central Valley home."

For directions to the Kearney Mansion and tour information, call the Fresno Historical Society at (559) 441-0862.

Exeter Murals
What started out as a tragedy has turned into a triumph for the small town of Exeter, California. A few years ago, fire destroyed a building and left an eyesore. So city officials decided to start a beautification project to brighten up the downtown area…and murals seemed like a natural choice.
Exeter Historian Seldon Kempton says, "before this all happened, didn't have very much good to say about the downtown…didn't pay that much attention to it and wondered if it was going to survive. Now, it's all together different."

Now there are a total of twelve murals, with more on the way. And knowing that their paintings are lifting spirits in the town…warms the hearts of the artists who created them.

Colleen Mitchell Veyna, an Exeter Mural Artist, describes her participation by saying, "it makes me feel real good that I was a part of the process. It does. It makes me feel proud and kind of good about myself."

Local residents are feeling good about themselves too. And why not? Their once sleepy town has turned into a tourist attraction!
According to Delora Buckman-Merritt, C.E.O. of the Exeter Chamber of Commerce, "I grew up here. I'm third generation Exeter. And I just think, my parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles…I often wonder…I know they would be so proud of Exeter now. It just recreates that deeper sense of pride. It's just so exciting. And the people that are in these murals and for their families and their grandchildren, it's like, that's part of my heritage."

The city wanted the murals to reflect Exeter's proud history and culture, so it's only fitting that many of them are about agriculture. Some of the murals depict local businesses, while others provide a look back at parts of the heartland that no longer exist.

Standing by her mural, Varian Mace says, "this particular scene is on the way up to Three Rivers and it shows the Lake Kaweah before it was a lake. That is when, years ago, when it was just a river winding down and that brings in the historical aspect of this particular landscape. And since I'm a floral painter, I brought in the local wildflowers, the poppies and the lupine. So I had a great time with all the colors. It was really fun."

It was fun for the artists and now it's fun for all of the visitors who can't seem to get enough of the Exeter murals.
For directions or tour information, call the Exeter Chamber of Commerce at (559) 592-2919 or tap into their web site at www.exeter-ca.com.

Bass Lake
Nestled at the back door of Yosemite is Bass Lake, a laid-back place for tourists and locals to relax and get back to nature. Part of the Sequoia National Forest, Bass Lake offers hiking, camping, water sports, fishing and old-fashioned family fun. Jennifer Fischer takes us to this favorite travel location, considered one of the best boating spots in California. Tune in as we take a walk along the Mono trial and learn about the native Mono Indians, eat hamburgers at The Forks restaurant, and cruise on the Bass Lake Queen.

For more information, call (800) 350-7463 or visit www.basslake.com.

Herb Lady
Rosemary Nightingale spins tales about the recipes and remedies of old California. "One of the things we like to do is share the stories of how agriculture came to California," Nightingale told members of the Valley Oak Garden Club of Tulare, which came to enjoy her presentation. Since 1984 Nightingale and her husband, Tim Friesen, have been opening up their enchanting herb gardens to tourists from California to foreign countries. Who knew that stories about the role plants and herbs played in California history could be so interesting?

The setting, alone, for the Squaw Valley Herb Gardens is worth the visit, nestled in the hills near Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Slowly over time Nightingale and Friesen turned a pretty run down plot of land into a thing of beauty. "When we first bought the property I went to nursery, found three herb plants and put them in the ground. I just sort of started designing a sweet, little garden around my humble abode an a year later gorgeous plants started blooming," Nightingale exclaimed. The former schoolteacher who grew up on a farm, taught herself about herbs. Now she can't believe how the gardens are allowing her to satisfy all of her vocations past and present. "What I get to do here is a little bit of being a farm girl, a little bit of being a teacher and a little bit of being an artist and a musician. I'm in heaven. I love being here full time," said Nightingale.

As you tour the garden you see how agriculture and art are so beautifully woven together. Artist friesen's hand-carved stones identify the hundreds of herbs and old flower varieties planted on the one-acre that surrounds the home. Following the brief tour, it's on with the show that begins with a little musical entertainment from Nightingale and Friesen. They also show you herbs please the palate as well as the eye and you get to taste some homemade herb treats and beverages.

A visit to Squaw Valley Herb Gardens is certainly an inspiration on every level. To find out more log onto the website at www.squawvalleyherbgardens.com.

The address is:
The Squaw Valley Herb Gardens
31765 E. Kings Canyon Road
Squaw Valley, CA 93675
(559) 332-2909

Season eight of "Central Valley Chronicles" is underwritten in part by Classic Living.