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Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009

Sarah Lim: High school in Dos Palos

Started as a reunion booklet for the Dos Palos High School classes of 1942, 1943 and 1944, this project has been turned by Docia Robinson into a compilation of Dos Palos history from the 1890s to the 1940s.

Reprinted by the Merced County Historical Society, this seven-volume set, "Dos Palos High School Reunion Books, 2002-2008," will be released on Nov. 14 at the Merced County Courthouse Museum. The author will sign books from 1 to 4 p.m.

Docia Robinson, a retired schoolteacher, is a Dos Palos native. Her family came to the Dos Palos area in 1927 when her father bought some of Henry Miller's land on Branco Road just off of Highway 152. Growing up on a farm and living through the Depression, she writes, "We lived frugally. No matter how young we were we all helped with the chores on the farm."

After high school, Docia left Dos Palos and began her adventures. She first went to Washington State University; then worked as a volunteer for the Liberian Red Cross in West Africa after graduation; upon returning to the U.S., she taught school in Fresno for 35 years. Her love of history and her friends were the reasons for the reunion book project.

Reminiscing about the early days of Dos Palos, the settlement of their families, farming, and growing up during the Great Depression and World War II, and friendship are the common themes of the books. "Reunion Book 2002" is mostly about the high school years that fostered many enduring friendships.

"Book 2003" with many historic photos tells the stories of Dos Palos in the 1910s (especially before and after the fire of 1911), Firebaugh and Ora Loma in the 1920s, and Santa Rita Park in the 1930s. Book 2004 with stories about Eagle Field, an army pilot training facility, was dedicated to the men and women who served in World War II or helped in the war effort.

While the first three volumes give bits and pieces of early day Dos Palos, the remaining four books provide a more comprehensive history. "Book 2005" (1863-1913) talks about Davie Wood being the first settler in 1863 and the coming of the railroad and the founding of the town in 1891.

"Book 2006" (1914-1920) mourns the death of two important pioneers of the area, Bernhard Marks and Henry Miller, while highlighting the impact of various international and national events such as the 1918 Flu Pandemic, World War I and the amendments to the constitution on the local level. Book 2007 (1920-1926) devotes a sizable portion to Dos Palos' 30th anniversary in 1924. Book 2008 (1927-1942) ends the reunion series with the internment of Japanese-Americans citizens of Merced County.

Docia drew most of her historical data from the Dos Palos Star and complemented them with the memories of class members. Stories such as "Remembering Dos Palos and Its People Through its Fruits and Nuts" by Richard Crowe put a human face on the physical landscape of this little town in the 1950s. She also nicely balanced the historical photographs with stunning paintings by local artists. The works of Mildred Millett, Eyvonne Estep Malm Plate, and Barbara Nelson are featured on the covers of Book 2005, Book 2007 and Book 2008.

Even though Dos Palos is a quiet rural community on the border of Merced and Fresno counties, it has had its share of fame. The Hyde Ranch was associated with Albert Alexander Hyde, the inventor of Mentholatum. "Rice King" Keisaburo Koda, the founder of Koda Farms, revolutionized the rice industry. Poverty fighters of South Dos Palos waged a successful campaign to bring running water to the predominately African-American community of Midway.

One, some or the whole seven-volume set is a special treat for the local history buff, just in time for the holidays.