| History of Mi Wuk / Sugarpine and Above |
| Nestled among the pines at 4,500 feet above sea level is Sugar Pine. Named after the large trees that dominate the area, Sugar Pine was one of the more important stops along Sonora-Mono Road. This one time stage coach stop is located 5 east of Twain Harte on Highway 108. Today the quite community is a pleasant stop for those heading up the mountain for fun and recreation. Before 1900, most of the land that is now Mi Wuk Village was on the Ward Pike Ranch. Part of a long list of major subdivisions in the Sierra Nevada, Mi Wuk Village was developed during a time when thousands of homes were constructed on the edge of the Stanislaus National Forest. At 4,600 feet above sea level, just above Sugar Pine the community’s restaurants, overnight lodging and other businesses gather along Highway 108. Names of streets in Mi Wuk Village come from the language of the Mi Wuk Indian Tribe Sometimes spelled Miwok the word means, "people ". Like myself I’ll bet there are many of you who have wondered what in the hekeke these words mean. As a matter of interest here are the Indian street names and their translations. Awannata, Turtle Awo, Mouth Haiapo, Chief Hana, Head Hekeke, Quail Hiki, Cradle Hisum, East Kalanu, Dance Kiku, Water Kome, Moon Koteo, Grasshopper Kutci, Good Lama, Tree Lile, Up Muheli, Trail Mulinni, Sing Muyu, Acorn Nito, Nose Nuka, Rain Nupa, Mush Olo – Win, West Paipu, Arrow Palapeta, Red Headed Woodpecker Paumma, Pipe Pela, Snow Tamalin, North Telele, Black Oak Teumete, South Urnasi, String Wallim, Down Wuke, Fire Wuuya, Deer Chief William Fuller, who from the age of 15, until his death in 1958, was Chief of the local Mi-Wuk tribe. When the subdivision was formed the Chief was asked to give names to its streets. Chief Fuller Rd was named in his honor. Both Mi Wuk and Sugar Pine are lucky enough to have a volunteer homeowners association. The Mi Wuk Area Homeowners Association, Inc formerly the Mi Wuk Improvement Club. They meet the first Saturday of every month. I've had the pleasure of meeting the Board President Arlen Richardson, V.P. Blythe Kipple and Treasurer Jean Sherman at the Mi Wuk Library located on Sierra Park just off of Highway 108. This association publishes a quarterly newsletter and organizes local events. On November 8th there will be a Frendship Gathering at the Library, On December 13th everyone is invited for Santa Snacks,,,,,,,,Bring a dozen and share. On December14th there is a silent auction and potluck. In Janurary from the 17th to the 19th there will be a rummage sale to benifit the Library. For more information on these events or to join, contact Arlen Richardson (209) 586-4724 Thanks to The Mi Wuk Area Homeowners Association for the above list of Mi Wuk translations In 1956 Leo and Betty Ann Rice moved to “The Flat” on the Sonora Pass road. They bought a house and small motel and named them Sierra Village Motel and Liquor Store. With a small shopping center and a good-sized residential area the thriving community at 4,680 feet above sea level is a great place to stop and take a break. Long Barn got its name from the long barn built during the 1800's to house oxen, mules and horses. Before the advent of the automobiles animals were used to cross the Sonora Pass between the gold mining towns of Bodie and Sonora. The massive barn contained 140 stalls, a bunk room and dry feed storage. Developed in 1925 local rancher Warren Beal built the precursor of what is now the Long Barn Lodge so people driving over the mountain could stop for food and lodging. Today’s still offers the same hospitality with a restaurant, a skating rink, guest rooms and a swimming pool. Back in the day for 20-cents you could ride the 1,800 foot long wooden toboggan slide at Slide Inn. The popular snow play area during the 1930's was established long before Dodge Ridge Ski Area was built. During WWII the resort fell into disrepair and by 1946 the slide itself had closed and was in ruins. Slide Inn and Long Barn are neighboring communities, about a mile apart up Highway 108. Pinecrest Resort is a part of the Stanislaus National Forest. At 5,623 feet, the lake is officially called Strawberry Reservoir. During the summer the lake is used for swimming, fishing and boating. Consisting of 900 acres, the lake, residences, group camps and campgrounds offer Summer recreation at its’ finest. The Resort has a store, the community's post office, sports shop, restaurant, bike rental shop, two tennis courts, a small motel, cabins, townhouses, summer snack bar, service station and marina. As many as 6,000 vacationers pour into Pinecrest during the warm summer months but as the weather grows colder the population falls to 25 or so. During this time the big draw is Dodge Ridge Ski Area. About a mile away from the now frozen lake, thousands of snowboarders and skiers make their way up Highway 108 where eight chair lifts can wisk them to the top of the mountain. Boasting a top-notch ski school and a race team program, Dodge Ridge hosts several skiing and snowboard competitions throughout the winter. |
| History of Jamestown,History of Columbia, History of Sonora, History of Tuolumne, History of Twain Harte, History of Mi Wuk |