www.oldsierrahistoricalranch.com

Dear Parents,

Sh . . . .  sh . . . . sh . . . . This is a secret surprise for your pioneer children at Old Sierra Camp.  In the evening, as we sit around the campfire singing, a Pony Express rider will come trudging up the hill with a buckskin mail pouch of letters from the folks back home.

We'd like you to take a few minutes to compose a letter to your young'un sharing some news from the old homestead.  Please put your letter in the small white envelope, seal it, putting your child's name on the front.  Then, place it in the 6" x 9" brown envelope and send it back to school in next week's walk-home envelope.

To help you get into the mood and times, I've included some noteworthy events from 1854, plus a sample letter.

Mood and Times:

Gold panning in the American, Yuba, and Bear Rivers is dwindling.

There is new technology for mining gold.  Hydraulic mining - using huge hoses to spray water on mountain sides.

Most 49ers have left to go back home or work on farms and in businesses.

In 1854, Sacramento was named the permanent capitol of California.

California had become a state in 1850.

Franklin Pierce is the 14th President of the United States.

Some popular songs are:  "Oh, Susanna", "Red River Valley", and "Clementine".

Sample Letter:

Dear Johnny,

Your Ma and I are proud of your adventurous spirit.  We hope Old Bessie got you to Old Sierra Camp alright!  Little Hell's been achin' with the chills.  Hope you don't get to feeling poorly, too.  Your Ma's Aunt Mary and Uncle Ben came by on Sunday.  The women folk were busy stitchin' a quilt your Ma's makin' for the church bazaar.  Uncle Ben, Tommy, and I went and caught us some bass in the mill pond.  Your Ma fried up those fish with some biscuits and gravy for supper.  By now you're probably missin' your Ma's vittles.  We're sure missing you.  You take care and see that you mind your school marm.

Your loving father,

Thanks for helping to make this a truly memorable experience for your child.

Sincerely,