Giant Gravestone for a Stingy Farmer near Merced, California
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ก.ย. 2024
- Jeff and Sarah visit one of the most overblown and grandest grave markers for one low-key San Joaquin Valley farmer who died 119 years ago. They find out that the 68-feet-tall obelisk grave marker is the tallest memorial for anyone in California.
#merced #mercedcounty #georgefanchermemorial #historyhunters
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I've passed by this monument countless times, but never, until now, knew what it was. Thanks for another worthwhile video
You guys do such a great job of telling the stories of some very interesting people. You also do an awesome job of editing. I'm envious :-)
Visiting Gravesites With Steve thank you! You have such a great following that I take your words in highest esteem! Thank you, sir!
I have passed by that thing 1000 times and now I know.
I was born and raised about 5 miles from there.
Tuttle was an actual town two of my brothers went to school there that later burned down along with important paperwork including both their birth certificates (Records of Merced County were kept there) also a packing shed or Cannery was located there all of witch were long gone by the time I was old enough to see and of it. I do remember the packing shed was the only thing remaining as a child. Tuttle is still shown on maps of Merced County though the grave marker is the only thing that remains. Every year or two someone does a feature or a newspaper article on the marker. Tuttle faded into obscurity years ago.
I actually don't think it's weird he is buried there. It was very common for people to bury their relatives on their own land in farming communities for centuries. Maybe his brother just really loved and admired him and thought that since he never spent a lot on himself in life, he would do it for him in death.
The location is not weird but the extent of the monument and the size and cost are what nobody can figure out. It is the tallest grave marker to anyone in California!
It's amazing that a farmer has a monument that huge out in a strange area. Thank you for sharing a little known fact in my birthplace.
You should look up the snelling family, although the pictures donated to Merced museum have been lost/misplaced.
Back in the early 70s I used to work rt across the street from the monument, it was Tuttle farms packing shed then, another great video guys...
Your wife cracks me up. And I agree with er in regards to whose ego was fulfilled here. When I first drove out that way after moving to Merced, I pulled over, took out my phone and photographed and videotaped this granite chunks, then sent it to my sister and asked if she had ever seen it. She was totally surprised! Me too, Sis, me too.
It states that Fancher made a lot of money, but didn't spend it on himself, his brother was the executor for the estate, thus, he's the responsible party for the grandiose monument. If people go climbing around on what amounts to a giant tombstone, and injure themselves, l believe the blame should lie at their feet.
Ravens Brood you sound smart.
Absolutely
As the executor, he obliged to do as the will states..25K for a memorial, and the brother said it wasn't the farmers nature to want a library...maybe the farmer was an eccentric mizzer? It's his $$$...
Dam this takes me back. I drove past this thing for 13 years. Lived in Planada.
Thanks for the tour.
Always wondered about that monument thank God we got somebody like you bud you really learn a lot when you watch this channel I love history thanks brother
Thanks for the vote of confidence!
Sarah.... You go girl!
💖🙏💪🌼🌻🐾
P. S. We love you both!
Awww, thanks! We feel the love!
Thank you for sharing all this great information. My husband and I love your videos. I love learning about these stories, and learning who these people were. Really cool.Thank you again, God bless you all.
-I’m excited to share these videos with friends and family too.
Thanks for watching and for the compliments! We appreciate you sharing with your people!
Thank you for visiting my town...and I never knew that was a memorial
Our pleasure!
Only a farmer - he feeds people he is the governor of the land I love those who protect farm and feed us (or themselves- homesteading)from the land. They have a special place in heaven I’m sure
Thank you, and you are welcome
Yes, another great and informative video! Just finished watching the grave site of Black Bart also, too bad the county wouldn't spring for exhuming the grave. It would add more to the city! Keep up the great work. I've been talking about you History Hunting Channel to friends of mine. Keep making em, I'll keep watching em.
I never cared about this Fancher memorial but it was always interesting as I drove out of town and your video was enlightening. I knew a Fancher from Merced.
So, you said something like, 'Not even an actor'? An actor? Argh. Why? Celebrity worship is so messed up. What about a police chief/sheriff, doctor/surgeon, teacher? Oh well. Decent video. Thanks for doing it and schooling me on someone who died in my former hometown. I miss Merced but not enough to stay.
This was very informative.
Mr Fancher is old west history. Pretty amazing what became of him. No doubt more about all this than anyone knows. Great to see you and Sarah. She has a lot of fun finding out things by climbing etc. She's a very brave woman.
Thank you for that information. I've past that monument several times on my way to/from Yosemite on my motorcycle and wondered what that monument was for. I never stopped there, so I had thought it was a war memorial. Now, I know!
Glad we were able to shed some light on it for you!
It's ridiculous like Grant's Tomb. It's also a Big middle finger to the county who lost in court.
I think the monument might have been his way of leaving something behind. You said he never had any kids.
I always say; "Hey George" when I drive by that monument.
I wonder if he was related to the Fanchers of the Baker Fancher wagon train? That was massacred in Mountain Meadows Utah in 1857 by Mormons. If so that might explain his brothers attitude?
Another great history video. I guess he just wanted to be immortalized but yes very strange. Thankyou for filming it xx
Hi Guys,I know exactly where you are.that county is part of my Ol Stomping Grounds. Thanks 🇺🇸
I lived in Planada since 1976. Passed that countless times. Stopped off there countless times. Stopped at the market across the street countless times. Found out later my wife’s father owned the store across the street and I probably saw her there many times. There is a four way stop there. Wasn’t always so. Saw a total hit and run happen on that intersection. My brothers would get stoned on the steps of that monument. Very interesting video.
We did this video a long time ago so I can't remember if there was a store across the street still!
Thanks again, I have been past and worked around what we refer to as" the monument" and never knew it's history
Who would not love this channel I been spreading the word to friends and family
Central California watching
Glad you enjoyed it!
fancher creek ran through my backyard in fresno county,,,,belmont and Temperance,,,,we farmed 50 ace of walnuts,,,,thanks for the video
8.30 When official buildings had style. Now its all just function. The interior is beautiful.
interesting video Jeff,some size of a grave marker.never seen one like that before.He was a interesting man for sure.
steven dwyer thanks again for your support!
Back in those times, A local farmer was far more important and known than the Governor. Who would you have received your food from, Who would've been a mass employer, who was putting dollars in your pocket and who was investing in things your town needed, even if it was self serving in a sense?
In my opinion, The memorial is fitting and deserving.
Yep, that's what I want to have when i die, a forty by forty foot monument rivaling Cleopatra's needle. Great video..never knew that, never knew Merced had such a lovely courthouse/museum. Thanks ×40.
Yeah good luck trying to exhume that body if he's underneath it as is said! LOL! Thank you once again!
Well I have to agree with Sara! Is that how he wanted the money spent? The thing reminds me of the Washington Monument!! Anyways did you notice the shadow that thing casts?? Another 2 thumbs up for Sara and Jeff the best History Hunters of all time!❤️
I was born at Castle AFB, nearby, in 1963.
I was born in an Army hospital in Japan in 1961 so we're practically neighbors. Just kidding. Thanks for watching!
You guys find the coolest things!
Good on him all the pioneers should be honoured even the bad guys getting mentioned good on him love Australia🐮😉😄😜🐨
Wow! Never seen anything like it. Kind of reminds me of Lincoln’s memorial.
Stumbled on your channel via a video shared on Facebook. Loving the content! My husband and I spent the evening nerding out on your videos. I used to live in the SF Bay Area and my dad once lived in Merced. Not sure if he ever knew about this. He passed in 2018 so I have no way of finding out. Likely not though. He was never into the weird or historical.
Kim Ulmanis awwww thanks! Loved this comment! Glad you found us. Don’t feel bad. I’ve been in this area all my life and never knew about the Fancher Memorial! Please subscribe to us! Thank you!!! Jeff
@@jbenziggy I read this and thought, "I thought I did subscribe." Uh, nope. Haha. Subscribed now! I can't wait to see what else you share. It reminds me a lot of my days roaming the backroads of Gilroy on up to San Jose. Now that my website is back up (for the hundreth time in the past few years...ha!) I might have to delve into those stories and write about them.
that's just cool
library's are closing left and right. even government librarys. the monument was built by his brother. the man had little ego and most likely didn't think of himself as a pharoh. so far as i know, those were the only people that built immense structures as memorials. i'm not 100% sure, but this spot where the memorial is may well be dead center of his property at that time. makes sense if it were. people will be complaining about it for century's to come though. kudo's to you for bringing it to life once again.
I think it's cool. What difference does the size make? I think all outlandish grave markers are a waste of money.
I lived a few miles from that monument. Non of us locals looked twice at it . Greedy old man .
Been past it many times and had heard only that it was an over done grave marker.
Who takes care of it now and who owns the land ?
I seen tagging on a war memorial in a public park, but a parks n rec worker was right there, pulled out a spray bottle and cleaned it rite off fast n spiffy...
The farmer reminds me of Howard Hughes...eccentric, kinda 'out of touch', semi-hermit, genius.
Maybe they were hoping to landscape and slope the ground to cover the base?
Thnx HH. 😎!
I live in Merced been to that marker many times it never seems to amaze how one man had to have the biggest marker in the state. Come back to Merced there are more famous people you can do videos on.
I think you missed the other videos I have published about the Merced cemetery. Check them out and see who I might have missed!
Culture changes. Gravestones used to be important to early white settler Americans but that's changed a bit in the last 100 years.
Hello Jeff and sara , I love history and your show. I believe the architect of the merced County court house is the same in Eldorado county , i thought that would be a interesting video to do, and also theres a little pioneer cemetery tucked away in minturn ca near chowchilla ca that i believe would be another interesting video for you guys to do.. Thank you
Jeff I love Your channel. What is the song that is it the beginning of this video please . Thank you!
I am quite sure it came from the TH-cam music library that creators can use. I don't know the exact name though.
MERCED!!!!
Yes, Merced! Thanks for watching! We hope you will subscribe!
Seems like a grave maker a Free Mason would have. Did you hear any rumors about him being a mason, were there any masonic symbols(other the obelisk it's self) on the marker? Love the videos when you visit museums, and such a beautiful museum it was. Another great video, Keep up the great work!
Such a random gravesite! Either George had a bit of an inflated ego, or, as Sarah pointed out, his brother did. Library would definitely have been the smarter choice!
So disrespectful that someone graffitied it though.
I grew up 20 sec away on a nearby farm.
His car is buried in there with him - that is why it is so large , and farmers are a big deal here 😊
That's so weird I monument that big for a farmer
Wow wow wow just a farmer . You don't think much of farmers
Tell me your thoughts of "farmers"
Well, I guess if you can't take it with you... put it on top of you!
The Oakland Tribune said on the day of Resurrection that Fancher would have a tough time breaking through tons of ton! LOL
Good one Destination C.
@@jbenziggy Ha! That's hilarious!
8:58 When they slap you with 25 to life.😂
Keep putting out the bumper music.Nice too my ears.
I had to watch this one , just for the funny heading !😅
Even before Sara mentioned it .. I thought .. big ego.. big New York ego .. lol
Still interesting video.. sure he’s looking down from above loving the attention! 😅
Lawdy!
Dude had no heirs, and his brother wanted to honor him.
we are entitled to our opinion that is his money he give or do where ever he want to
Another phallic symbol interesting
Hey got a question for you Jeff.
In Waterford, California.
Down on actually it's Tim Bell Road, that runs into Old Tim Bell Road where dead ends on there is a ranch that used to be owned by a beard family and there are two grave monuments out there have you ever heard of that just curious cuz when I was a kid I had walked up there because at that time that was like in the 60s and I was like 9 or 10 my uncle own property back up the road so you walked all over the place where was safe somewhat it was a dairy farm at that time but I'm just curious if you ever heard of the beard family out that way
Good story today thank once again
Yes I have heard of it. I have never been there though. I think Elihu Beard is the one with the rather large grave marker at the Pioneer/Acacia cemetery on Scenic Avenue in Modesto.
The Beards still live in Waterford. They own the carwash behind the Sport Stop and a couple more in Modesto and Turlock. They also owned the Waterslides before it was closed down way back when.
This is a head scratcher. Driven by several times wondering what is that not having the time too check it out. Thanks for the info but still scratching my head. Think I'll spend my money before I go. Now what can I buy for three bucks?
Didn't that become the Grayson ranch
I don’t really know!
It is different , someone of not high office in the United States would be given such an elaborate monument to be remembered. I agree, It must have been a highly fueled ego to want a large monument, but he did fund the monument with his own funds. To each their own, and it was entirely his business and money. This indeed, is a very interesting world! lol
Thanks for watching Robert! Definitely a unique memorial!
The guy made a lot of money in his life, he did not indulge hisself in luxury and saved the money. He had the right to do with the money as he wished as it was his. I guess he did not want to be forgotten as most of us will be. Maybe some fencing needs to be in place to keep people off the memorial...
Seriously! why.
George obviously thought very highly of himself. His ego was the size of his memorial. It's ashame about the graffiti on his memorial. He fed people throughout his life. Why didn't all the money spent on an extravagant memorial go to feed more people? Farmers are important. We don't eat without them. But this is ridiculous.
I love your videos buy please don't climb on things judt because they don't have a stay off sign. :(
I miss the days when you didn't have to wear a diaper on your face. I like the monument. Granite is beautiful rock so whether it is a mountain, a counter top, or a monument it is still a grand sight.
Hopefully soon we will all be walking around without these stupid masks on our face. Thank you very much for watching this episode and commenting positively.
Not so sure he intended to have something like that! He said he wanted a "suitable memorial" with the money. I doubt a man that lived simply and felt that his land and what he produced from his land were his treasures wanted something as big as that! Lesson to be learned...be specific in your will what you want done with your stuff!
Ha ha! Yeah, who knows what he was thinking. $25,000 for a memorial back then? Wow!
I guess you think pretty highly of politicians, lol !!! Only a farmer, WOW! I don’t believe his family asked for any public funds to build that monument, which says a lot. I’m not a big monument guy but it is interesting and it was built with his money , on his land. Anyway, your videos are pretty interesting. Thanks !
strathack33 I hope I didn’t come across as dissing a farmer. I love farmers❤️. I was trying to point out that farmers are more frugal and humble as this man.
Wow! Homeless might be living in the bushes.If their is homeless people in their.Maybe they need something too eat.Did you bring some exstra food.Go with Jesus my friends.Because he saves.Even stingy people.
He was a freemason go talk bout the mason temple
So nice of you all to call him stingy, knowing nothing about him
I’m sure he’ll forgive us.
@jbenziggy 🤣 . Super pleasant of you! I guess if it was someone in your family, you would forgive those that spoke out of ignorance against them as well.
Freemason
Only a farmer, lol....! If he would have put the four thousand acres into a trust, at today's value of $12,000.00 average per acre (based on Iowa farmland prices), the trust would be worth at least 48 million by now !!!
min 2:10, homeless in merced? what makes her think that? lol
The mattress in the bushes near where we parked.
I appreciate the history you share very much. However, this time you were so irresponsible and disrespectful to climb in the man's memorial.
If he didn't accept Jesus,he is in Hell.......
His life, his land, his money, his choice. I have to say mind your own business... You are probably trespassing.
Frank Dalla no we’re not trespassing!
Actually wasn't his choice but to leave enough money behind. The decision was made by the living as to how they would memorialize the farmer. If attention wasn't sought the monument wouldn't be so big.