International photographer (Jan-Dec 1941)

it's coiviiNq! It's coming vacation time! That snapshooting season when memories are stored away. Have you thought about it? Maybe you haven't because you're busy and time passes — you wonder where. Maybe the eyes aren't squinty yet, but they will be and you'll be askin' yourself: "Where can [ I go for a day — or a week — to get rid of this 'squinteye'?" What about the family? or, maybe you're a lone wolf and'll want to get away by yourself — where it don't cost much; somewhere that'll help you find out what's botherin' you — why you did it, or why you didn't: you just want to rest and not work at it. Take the snap-lense and a roll of film and beat it. There is one place in this blessed country few people go to, a charming restful place at any time of the year — if you just want rest! Did I hear you ask: "Where is it?" "Frazier Mountain Park!" Ever hear of it? Not many people have. Well. Frazier Mountain Park is four miles west of Highway 99, on Route 368. forty-four miles south of Bakersfield and seventy miles north from Los Angeles in the midst of the Tehachapi Mountains, midway between Lebeck and Gorman. Visited by few motorists because only a few are aware of the location known only by word of praise from those who "week end" there to enjoy the wine purity of the air and cut down on the Scotch and soda desire and drink the clear water of crystal flowing springs and spread out in the restful shade of spreading oaks and pine for;est. Not a bad place to sneak away to for a day. a week, or longer. It is exceptional that in this great state of crowded tourist travel, a place combining the natural health qualities of rare pure air and water, together with alluring natural beauty and convenience for outdoor sports through all the seasons, could be tucked away in the mountains so close to , home and so little known. Midway between Lebeck and Gorman is the junction of Route 368, well marked and curving off to the west of Highway 99. Ascending to an altitude ranging variously from 4500 to 5100 feet, the wanderer reaches the entrance of the "Park." The settlement of Frazier Mountain Park ' is unique in its apparent invisible government, and the fact that its citizens are peaceful and law abiding, without anyvisible restraint of law enforcement. Disorderly conduct is not a disturbing element of this delightfully quiet community. No officer of the law is there to interfere with the "goings and comings" of visitors. The locking of doors, the closing of blinds and the drawing of shades has never become a habit. Until several years past, this "Honor" community governed its affairs by peaceful adjustment, until one day a newcomer arrived and became a permanent resident as well as a member of its Elders, and gave voice to his opinions. He brought with him from his "outside" world his possessions, material and mental, displaying stubbornly a cultivated sense of suspicion. The simple trusting simplicity of his new environment caused him much uneasiness, which increased till he mistrusted his neighbors and became the community's first disturbing element. His long, insistent shout demanded that the safety of person, morals and property required the active presence of a law representative in their midst to insure security of mind. A delegation was appointed to make the proper application at the Sheriff's office, forty-four miles away at the County seat, resulting in the appointment of a deputy to enforce "Law and Order." Behind the authority vested in a new shining badge the deputy moved in and proceeded to perform his spying and peeking duties. And then trouble commenced to stalk grimly through the winding lanes of the settlement, crowding out the laughter and pleasures of good neighbor gatherings, unrest in the little cafes, and much whispering in secluded places. The tranquility of this Utopian community was severely disturbed, culminating one evening when one of its young men. participating in a friendly gathering, departed to wend his way to his little cabin, happily singing his way through the light and shadows of a balmy full moon, per By burr McGregor haps not too steadily, and too, the singing was a wee bit in discord, but he was happy; the dreadful burden of the new law had shifted, but it climbed back and perched unpleasantly, for the law sprang out of the shadows, and he was placed under arrest for disturbing the peace, whisked away to the Sheriffs office, jailed and sentenced to six months. The seething pot of brewing trouble boiled over — it couldn't take any more heat! The Elders of the community stormed into the Sheriff's office demanding the scalp of the ambitious deputy — the pelt was granted, and the objectional citizen moved out. Through this experience a judgment of peace again enveloped the community with sweet calm as the citizens proclaimed proudly to the "outside" world the cleansing of their honor. During the open hunting season the regions hereabout become a joyful stamping ground for ambitious hunters. Being within the confines of Los Padres National Forest, all game is rigidly protected through the closed seasons and definite restrictions imposed on the limit of game that can be taken. Deer are plentiful. So are quail — both the mountain and valley specie. Wild pigeons descend into the valley in clouds of great numbers during the season when the pine-nuts are falling, and leave as quickly as they arrived — all together. The immediate vicinity of the "Park" is closed to all hunting throughout the year, resulting, in the hunting season, of many deer rushing into the area, instinctively, for protection. International Photographer for April, 1941 Flowing springs under spreading oaks.