The 2014 SPNG Historical Society Conference, titled “THE LOWER KEELER BRANCH”, has been scheduled for May 8th to the 11th and will be based in LONE PINE Ca. Mark your calendars!
Just as the title of the conference states, we will be concentrating mainly on the Carson & Colorado/ SPNG railroad and mining activities in the lower part of INYO COUNTY.
We will be doing some things a little different this year.
Rather than evening (as previous years), the meet and greet will be held at 1:PM on Thursday the first day of the conference in Lone Pine. This will give some attendees some personal time in the afternoon and evening to explore Lone Pine and the many attractions in the area such as the Alabama Hills.
For those that do not arrive in time for the meet and greet, SPNGHS staff will be available throughout the afternoon and evening for information and guidance.
Registration will begin on December 14th. Registration forms will be available from the office by contacting us by phone or email.
Once your registration forms are received, you will be mailed out a conformation with current schedule and other information.
FIELD TRIPS:
First of all SPNGHS members Ellen and Ron Grau will be leading us to some of the locations along the ROW that we have not visited during the past conferences such as Beneme. Very interesting location to visit as you can still observe and walk the wye.
It is confirmed that we will take a day trip to the mines and community of CERRO GORDO. We will have our own personal tour guide and have a box lunch at the location. I was also told they will a open the Hoist House for us.
On another day we will visit the Standard Gauge Depot in Lone Pine and other locations of the standard gauge Jawbone Branch.
PRESENTATIONS:
Cecile Vargo, Historian and Author of 2 books on Cerro Gordo along with her husband Roger, will give a presentation on the History and current status of Cerro Gordo. Cecile will also have her books for purchase and signing.
Chris Langely, Inyo County Film Commissioner as well as Executive Director of the Lone Pine Film Museum will be conducting a presentation on the “SPNG in the Movies” as well as other movies filmed in Inyo County.
By the way, Chris and his staff are allowing us to use the “Movie Theater” in the museum for our presentations. Talk about class.
We are also honored to have Phil Serpico give us a presentation on the “JAWBONE BRANCH”.
Phil is the Author of several books including “Roads to Riches, the Randsburg Railway and Mining District”, “Jawbone, Sunset on the Lone Pine”, as well as his latest publication, “Tonopah and Tidewater / The Nevada Shortline.”
Phil will have books for sale and signing as well.
Carson & Colorado Railway Vice-President Randy Babcock will also bring us up to date on the progress of the #18 rebuild along with a wonderful power point program.
We will also be having a fund raising raffle. Famed artist John Coker has already donated one of his fantastic SPNG prints that I will be framing in roof lumber from box car #73.
Stay tuned for more information, coming soon!