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The
Origin
The Mineral King
District
Association had
its origin on
August 16, 1965
with Kenneth
(Milton) Savage,
Jr. as acting
president, and
Ross D. Sellars
as acting
secretary-treasurer.
The association
was formed out
of the need to
represent the
interests of the
community to the
National Forest
Service (and
other
authorities). The formation of
the MKDA was
spurred by the
planned
development of
the Mineral King
valley, whose
probable outcome
would have been
a major resort.
Most of the
residents of the
valley felt that
its unique
character would
be lost,
particularly
when the scope
of the chosen
development was
revealed-a dozen
or more
restaurants,
more than a
dozen ski lifts
and a lodge
capable of
housing "more
than the
Biltmore Hotel
in Los Angeles,"
promising
thousands of
visitors on a
given day.
The District
Association,
along with other
organizations,
actively opposed
the National
Forest Service's
plan. The valley
was transferred
to National Park
Service
jurisdiction by
legislation in
1978, precluding
implementation
of that plan. We
of the Mineral
King District
Association
continue to seek
the preservation
of the valley's
historic
character and
rich cultural
resources.
The
Families
As one of the
longest-existing
communities in
the high Sierra
Nevada, many
families
currently
occupying rustic
cabins represent
the sixth and
seventh
generation of
the original
prospectors and
entrepreneurs
who came to
Mineral King
more than 100
years ago to
seek their
fortune.
Communities with
such longevity
and continuity
are rare and an
extraordinary
historical
resource,
particularly in
our increasingly
transient modem
society.
 In order to
understand the
issues of
Mineral King, it
is helpful to
understand
something about
the families and
descendants who
were
instrumental in
its foundation.
Beginning in the
late 1800s,
diversity and
the pioneering
spirit
prevailed.
Entrepreneurs,
stockers,
miners, sawyers,
teamsters and
carpenters
dominated early
mining history.
Dams and flumes
for the Mt.
Whitney Power
and Electric
Company (later
acquired by
Southern
California
Edison)
hydroelectric
project found
laborers and
freight handlers
among Mineral
King residents.
A family-run
resort followed
the failure of
the mining
industry,
offering rental
accommodations
to the public.
During the
National Forest
Service tenure,
local ranger
staff came from
our families.
Historic trails,
blazed by
Indians and
miners, were
improved by
residents and
other
volunteers. The
water system
that supplies
many of the
cabins,
campgrounds, and
the Mineral King
Ranger Station
was built and
maintained by
cabin
inhabitants.
Even the
"infamous,"
historic Mineral
King road was
painstakingly
constructed by
members of this
community.n the early
1920s, the
Forest Service
solicited the
building of
cabins, which
then were
occupied by San
Joaquin Valley
farmers,
ranchers,
cattlemen and
other
professionals
who found the
Mineral King
area a cool
respite from the
intense summer
heat. Often the
men continued to
work in the San
Joaquin Valley
while their
families resided
in Mineral King
during the
summer months.
In the 1930s
there were an
influx of
academic and
other
professionals,
thus the area
named "Faculty
Flats."
The
Community
The historic
community of
Mineral King
exists not only
in the
buildings, but
also in the
families who
share them.
Generations and
extended
families share
limited cabin
resources.
Conversations,
story telling,
and the singing
of the old songs
passed on
traditions
which, for the
most part, have
been lost in
California's
transient and
compartmentalized
structure.
Interaction
between cabins
also has been
prevalent for
generations.
Campfires,
dinners, card
and board games,
and socializing
prevail at
gatherings.
Although more
formal, the
annual meeting
of the Mineral
King District
Association and
the potluck
following are
opportunities
for families to
"catch up" on
the year's news.
National Park
personnel also
are included as
a part of the
annual agenda.
Community
interaction
continually has
extended to
packers, hikers,
campers and
officials.
Information,
direction, and
other practical
help have been
gladly rendered
without cost or
obligation.
The National
Park Legacy:
"...to promote
and regulate the
use of
the...national
parks...which
purpose is to
conserve the
scenery and the
natural and
historic objects
and the wild
life therein and
to provide for
the enjoyment of
the same in such
manner and by
such means as
will leave them
unimpaired for
the enjoyment of
future
generations."
National Park
Service Organic
Act, 16 U.S.C.1.
 The
Partnership
The
National Park
Service
preserves
unimpaired the
natural and
cultural
resources and
values of the
national park
system for the
enjoyment,
education, and
inspiration of
this and future
generations. The
Park Service
cooperates with
partners to
extend the
benefits of
natural and
cultural
resource
conservation and
outdoor
recreation
throughout this
country and the
world.The National
Park Service has
recognized the
public's
interest in
Mineral King's
history and has
incorporated it
into its
literature and
web sites.
Ranger-led
campfire talks,
"living history"
presentations
with rangers
impersonating
some of the old
mining
characters, and
hikes to
historic sites
have intrigued
many a visitor.
And on October
24, 2003 the
Mineral King
Historic
District was
listed in the
National
Register of
Historic Places.
With the
ever-decreasing
amount of public
funds and the
ever-increasing
needs of our
national parks,
it is time to
look for new and
innovative
strategies to
achieve the
goals of
preserving and
protecting our
natural and
cultural
resources "in
such manner and
by such means as
will leave them
unimpaired for
the enjoyment
for future
generations"
(1916 NPS
Organic Act).
Throughout the
country, the
National Park
Service is
increasing its
reliance on
public/non-profit
partnerships and
volunteers to
fulfill its
responsibilities
as our nation's
natural and
cultural
trustee. Mineral
King is in the
fortunate
position of
already
possessing a
dedicated and
knowledgeable
community of
long-time
Mineral King
citizens with
which to
establish such a
partnership. |
