Page 14 - fall the rock 2015

14 Friends oF red rock canyon
Characters (continued from page 13)
You investigated the history
of Pine Creek Canyon. What
impressed you the most? In
your description of the Wil-
son Homestead, you men-
tion how this was originally
a working farm with fruit
trees, watermelon patches
Norm Kresge and grape arbors. Are there
any remnants of the farm
today? Was there one personality that stood out?
I was impressed the most by the effort the Wilsons
Your chapters compiled the
history of Blue Diamond,
Spring Mountain Ranch and
the Blue Diamond Mines.
What was the most interest-
ing fact that you uncovered
in your research?
The most interesting fact I
Linda McCollum uncovered was about the
(Krupp Diamond)
theft of the Krupp Diamond
from Spring Mountain Ranch
Volunteers dedicated to the preservation of Red Rock Canyon
resident Vera Krupp in 1959. Not only did the rob- lose nearly half a carat.
You edited the book and
wrote a chapter on the
mines of Red Rock Canyon.
Based on your knowledge
of the book, who was your
favorite Seeker? Who was
your favorite Scoundrel?
Who was your least favorite
Scoundrel?
Sharon Schaaf
My favorite seeker is T.P.
Rhea. He loved Red Rock Canyon with its beautiful
scenery and rocks. He only wanted to mine enough
to provide a good income for his family. He passed
on that appreciation for Red Rock Canyon to his
daughters.
the Rock - Volume 6 Issue 1
Friends oF red rock canyon 15
had to put in to homestead Pine Creek. The idea Every park needs some kids
of building the road into their property by hand and
planting what they did showed the pioneer spirit
well. Today there is no evidence of any of what Mr. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell launches the
Wilson planted. In fact, one of the people I inter-
viewed said he couldn’t recognize the place today “Every Kid in a Park” program at Red Rock Canyon.
from what it was in 1969-1971. The Wilsons both By Sue Kolar and Chuck Williams
stand out because of the work that went into creat-
ing the house and farm they had in Pine Creek. I Photos by C. Williams
was also pleased to know how the name Mescalito
came about as the name of the peak in Pine Creek. n Wednesday, September head fourth grade
O2, two busloads of fourth wrangler with help
graders from the Preparatory from the BLM and
Institute, School for Academic RRCIA staffs.
Excellence at Charles I. West Before and after the
bery interest me, but I wondered how the 34 carat Hall attended the festivities at program Secretary
diamond was only 33.19 carats after it was recov- the amphitheater at the Visitor Jewell most gra-
ered and restored. The diamond was Asscher cut Center. The students raised ciously took time to
with two baguettes. After it was recovered in 1959, it their hands enthusiastically visit with BLM and
was described as 33.6 carats; in 1968 at the Krupp to answer questions such as: RRCIA staffs as
Estate Auction, it was described as 33.19 carats. “What is the highest moun- well as volunteers.
The nearly half carat difference was explained by tain in the U.S.?” (Someone Welcome to the kids in the park
the fact that when originally examined, it was in guessed Mt. Charleston), “Have you been to Red When introduced to members representing Friends
its setting. When it was restored, it was out of its Rock before?” (Many said yes!) and “Do you want of Red Rock Canyon, Friends of Sloan as well as
setting and cleaning and polishing would account a free pass to all the federal lands for your family? Friends of Nevada Wilder-
for the difference. I guess you have to be careful in (A big YES). ness, she stated that having a
cleaning and polishing a large diamond or you might Friends group was once con- “Having a Friends
After the program, the children were bussed to sidered a luxury for agencies group was once
Lost Creek and divided into two groups. One but now they are necessary for considered a luxury
group started hiking from the west trailhead and agency survival. for agencies but now
Bill Morgan is my favorite scoundrel and lucky for the second from the east trailhead. Secretary Beginning September 1, 2015, they are necessary
him, he was married to Edith Morgan, my favor- Jewell hiked out with one group and back with all 10-year old children (fourth for survival.”
ite saint. In October 1912 Bill was working on his the other so all were able to enjoy hiking with graders) in the United States Sally Jewell
shotgun when the gun accidentally went off and the Secretary. BLM Ranger Kate Sorom was the can download a voucher to
shot Edith causing serious injuries to her arm, jaw gain unlimited,
and teeth. She recovered and forgave him and they free access to any federal lands or
had a long, happy marriage even as Bill pushed the waters for a year. The paper voucher
limits of the law on several occasions. can be exchanged for a more durable,
Interagency Annual Fourth Grade Pass
The four men who robbed Bonnie Levinson while at Red Rock Canyon and other federal
she was pregnant with her first child are my least sites. The pass covers everyone in the
favorite scoundrels. The leader of the gang had vehicle at Red Rock Canyon; and for
been casing her bar/restaurant for over a year and sites that charge per person, up to three
knew where she kept her gun. The gang picked a accompanying adults will be admitted
time when Bonnie was alone and stole her gun, the free with the fourth grader.
day’s take and all the liquor they could carry. They For more information visit
were eventually caught. Ranger Kate gets our kids in the park settled www.everykidinapark.gov
Fall 2015