WESTERN FEDERATION OF MINERS August 25, 1897: “A meeting of the miners of the Rand district was held at Randsburg Saturday night, at which all arrangements for the organization of a miners’ union were made. Officers were nominated and will also be voted upon at the next meeting of the union, when they will also be installed. The union begins … More >

EPISCOPAL December 23, 1896: “Rev. H. P. Case conducted a Sunday school last Sunday afternoon in an unfinished building on Butte Avenue and had a fair attendance.  He also preached in the evening in a room adjoining the post office.  This shows that Randsburg is not wholly given over to the pursuit of gold.  Some people are also interesting themselves … More >

         CHRISTMAS– December 27, 1896:  “DECEMBER 25 (REGULAR CORRESPONDENCE) CHRISTMAS IN A MINING CAMP, while subject to deprivation of many of the customs and pleasures incident to a higher civilization, is not altogether so dull as dwellers in cities might suppose.  Last night, the Christmas festivities began with a swell ball at the new skating rink, a … More >

ATTORNEYS– December 30, 1896: “Judge Adams, formerly of San Luis Obispo, but not of Oakland, came in a few days ago and hung out his sign as an attorney.”  — Los Angeles Daily Times DENTISTS– December 30, 1896: “Judge Adams, formerly of San Luis Obispo, but not of Oakland, came in a few days ago and hung out his sign … More >

July 09, 1897: “It has always been predicted that if a fire once started in Randsburg the greater portion of the town would be wiped out of existence. This prediction might have proved true this week if it had not been for the prompt and energetic action of some of the citizens of that city. On Sunday evening, about 11 … More >

January 26, 1897: “The best water now obtainable in Randsburg is piped in from the Skilllng’s well, which now furnishes one inch. The price is 4 cents a gallon in any quantity.” – The Herald January 26, 1897: “The well which Superintendent John Donalr and Mr. Francis are engaged in sinking at the half-way point on the route from this … More >

DECEMBER 22, 1901: “NO SMALLPOX IN RANDSBURG — RANDSBURG, Dec. 21—Dr. Carson, health officer of Kern County, arrived here last night, and, after consulting and an examination of some of the patients suspected of having smallpox, pronounced the epidemic nothing but a mild form of skin disease. There are no new cases and the smallpox scare has no foundation in … More >

MARRIAGES January 29, 1897:  “January 29, 1917: “TWENTY YEARS AGO TODAY. FROM THE CALIFORNIAN OF THIS DATE –J. A. Dunn of Randsburg and Miss Rebecca Palmer of Hot Springs were united in marriage at the Arlington Hotel.” – Bakersfield Californian. April 12, 1897 — FIRST WEDDING IN RANDSBURG — Edgar Scott and Lottie Van Norman — see CELEBRATIONS  for particulars. August 24, … More >

TEACHERS RANDSBURG 1897/98 Miss Wores 1898/1900 Mrs. R. M. Rader 1900/04 W. A. McGinn 1904/05 C. M. Drake 1905/07 D. Gunderson 1907/11 Sue Spurlock 1911/12 Susan A. Peter 1912/16 Lena Reynolds 1916/17 Mabel Guernsey 1917/18 A. S. Fulton 1918/19 Nellie S. Gessell 1919/21 W. H. Linderman 1921/22 Mrs. Myrtle Copeland 1922/23 Marion I. Nelson 1923/24 Beatrice Atkenson 1924/25 Beatrice Cregier … More >

SOLDIERS June 12, 1899: “IN A REPORT FROM THE PHILIPINES Private Allen Kirby of the signal corps is favorably mentioned.  Kirby is a Randsburg boy and has many friends here.  He used to be in Hammond’s store.” –Corona Courier July 13, 1918: “TWO RANDSBURG BOYS ARE MADE CORPORALS –The honor of being the first two Randsburg Boys to receive promotions … More >

February 17, 1917:  “RANDSBURG BRANCH LIBRARY TO REOPEN—The branch of the county free library at Randsburg will be reopened soon, according to the announcement made by Mrs. Julia G. Babcock, County Liberian.  The branch has been closed for some time and will be restocked with a complete assortment of interesting and educational books.  Daniel Gunderson, a well known resident of … More >

UTILITIES Squaw Spring Water Co. The Squaw Springs Water Co. was formed to provide water to Randsburg and Johannesburg.  A receipt in the collection of the Kern County Museum showing a date of 1 January 1899 proves that they were in business in 1898. 1 Add information from McPherson’s                                                             Postal Telegraph Co. The Postal Telegraph Co.  operated in Randsburg prior … More >

October 7, 1899: “A BETTER ROAD Is Needed Over the Hill to Johannesburg—About two years ago the honorable board of supervisors paid a visit to Randsburg to ascertain what the people of this camp most needed.  A mass  meeting was held and addresses were made and the different members of the board explained how the county money was apportioned, etc. … More >