Still looking for historical Patterson photos

In this column, I’m going to detail some photos we don’t have but are needed.

For several decades starting in the 1930s, Patterson had a precursor to the Apricot Fiesta. It was called Horse Thief Bend, and it ended in the 1950s. This was a major public event, with parades, rodeos and many other fun events.

As it happens, we only have a few photos of this long-running event, and so far none in color. If you have any photos, whether color or not, please let us scan them for possible inclusion in our photo book. I know many of you were around during those years and probably took photos.

As I wrote previously, we don’t have photos of early Patterson government officials. There are whole decades — the ’20s and ’30s — where we don’t have photos of significant events. Recently, we were just given some of the earliest photos of the swimming pool. One shows a pile of rocks in front of the dressing rooms shortly after the pool was built. After looking at more than 4,000 photos, this is the first one I’ve seen showing that.

We were recently sent a whole group of photos from former Patterson High School class members living across the country. One group, from Leanne Carlson Stone, shows color photos of a youth day in 1954. They are wonderful photos showing an aspect of Patterson life not previously available.

Another group of color photos are of Dr. Allen Day, sent by Don Johnson. This was a one-time celebration to honor the local doctor who delivered many of us. We didn’t even have black-and-white photos of that celebration until a few weeks ago.

Here are some of the subjects we don’t have photos of but are avidly seeking: the Silver Dollar Bar in the old Legion Hall that burned in 1962; the 1937 construction and opening of the first Las Palmas Bridge to Turlock, a couple of blocks north of the present bridge; Horse Thief Bend color photos; early graduation ceremonies; and the Tea Golf Garden west of the Ford garage.

I know these photo search projects take a lot of time. You are probably like most of us, who have to pull out box after box and go through them looking for photos. But keep in mind that this is usually also fun to do, bringing back all those memories of wonderful times here in Patterson.

So please look through your family photos for local events. They would be even more important if you have family members or know others in the picture. If you are in doubt as to whether your photo is one that we need, just give me a call and describe it.

For an appointment, call me at 892-5037. We can scan your pictures while you wait.

We are running out of time to get these photos into the Historical Society’s book, so start looking!

• West Side native Claude Delphia is an avid historian and a former member of the Patterson Planning Commission. He can be reached at claude37@comcast.net.