The second of two parts
By SARAH LIM
Special to the Times
In my last column, I wrote about the stories behind each picture featured in the 2026 Merced County Historical Society Calendar, including the “Merced: Gateway to Yosemite” arch on the cover, the snowy New Year’s Day celebration, a February day in Courthouse Park, a unique ceremonial parade on Main Street (March), a demonstration of military discipline in front of the Old High School (April), and a beautiful parade float evoking Japanese culture (May).
What did people do in the hot summer month of June more than 100 years ago?
They did just what we are doing today – a family outing at Lake Yosemite. The “What are These Funny Letters?” image created by Andy Tolsma shows a family posing for a picture by the graffiti-covered Lake Yosemite tower. The tower was the “water faucet” of Merced when it was built in 1888 because the Lake supplied drinking water to its residents. After underground wells replaced Lake Yosemite as the main source of city water, the Crocker-Huffman Land and Water Company turned Lake Yosemite into a recreational center by planting the gum trees that remain standing today. Lake Yosemite tower was a popular backdrop for photo shoots.
To the McElroys, their home was the most important backdrop for photo shoots. The Historical Society Calendar showcases another work by Andy Tolsma for July, titled “McElroy House: Portal to the Past,” picturing William H. McElroy, son David Vincent, wife Rena, daughters Rena Ruth and Helen Amelia. William H. McElroy, a well-known contractor, built a beautiful home at 306 W. 21st Street in 1906. He was responsible for constructing some of the finest residences, bridges on the Merced and San Joaquin Rivers, as well as public and commercial buildings, including the Pedreira Building in 1903, Merced County Hospital in 1903, Merced County Jail in 1904, and Merced City Hall in 1907.
William H. McElroy was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; he may have helped build the Merced IOOF Hall in 1909. The Merced IOOF was organized on September 12, 1872, one of the oldest fraternal groups in the area. The lodge hall, located at the southeast corner of Canal and 18th Streets, serves as the backdrop for a photo featured in the Historical Society Calendar for August. Titled “Cult of Domesticity?” by Jim Cunningham, the image shows a group of women in uniform practicing drilling in front of the IOOF Hall. While the specific occasion for the photo remains unclear, it evokes a strong sense of patriotism.
Just a block east of Canal Street, local photographer Warren T. Hohenshell had a photo studio on K Street, across the street from today’s Trevino’s Mexican Restaurant. Hohenshell was active in the early 1900s, and his work captured some of the events and people of this period, including this cowboy picture. Unlike many photo shoots in the early 20th Century when people posed purposely, this cowboy may have been a traveler who happened to pass by the photo studio and let Hohenshell take a picture of him. Local photographer Randy Withers gave the cowboy picture a modern touch by placing the cowboy and his ride by Trevino’s Mexican Restaurant and titled it “Cowboy’s Favorite Restaurant.” It is featured for the month of September in the Society Calendar.
October features “Ghosting the 1929 Roundup Parade” by Sam Shaw. This was the first Merced County Fair roundup parade, which took place on September 14, 1929, and also marked the beginning of the fair as it is known today. Sponsored by the Merchants’ Association, the roundup parade on Main Street near Canal Street was led by Elmer Greenwood. Although the parade was deemed bad luck by the bronc and bull riders—due to upset animals and one injury—overall, it was a success, attracting thousands and providing great exposure for local businesses.
November and December are images from outside of Merced, with the November picture showcasing the IOOF Hall in Gustine. When the IOOF Hall was completed in 1912, this historic building, along with the Miller and Lux Store, Gustine Hotel, and Bank of Gustine, anchored the four corners of 5th Street and 4th Avenue in downtown Gustine. This image is titled “Which one is my Ride?” by Andy Tolsma and portrays several cars alongside horse-drawn carriages bustling on the streets.
Interestingly enough, the last picture of the year is also about the IOOF and the oldest lodge in Merced County. In 1869, Willow Lodge #121 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows built the IOOF Hall in Snelling. “The Unity of Sisterhood” by Ray Reed depicts Snelling’s Novara Rebekah Lodge #61 in front of the lodge hall. While many of these old-time fraternal organizations have become ghosts themselves, their buildings are very much alive. Most of the Snelling Lodge remains standing to this day, even though the flood of 1950 destroyed the left section of the brick building.
The calendar is free to those who join or renew their 2026 Merced County Historical Society membership. If you are interested in our membership program, please join us for our annual membership meeting on Feb. 1 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Merced Women’s Clubhouse. During this meeting, we will honor our past president, install the incoming board members, and present various awards and grants. In addition, this year’s program will highlight the talents of the Merced College vocal students and the Golden Valley High School Jazz Band as we come together to celebrate the successful renovation of the Merced Women’s Clubhouse.
Sarah Lim is the director of the Merced County Courthouse Museum.