In the 1960s I drove across that covered bridge to get to the Don Pedro Lake and powerhouse. Many times. Then they closed the bridge to traffic in the '80s and built a new bridge downstream I was born in Modesto and lived 10 miles from Modesto. And 25 miles from Knights Ferry. Great area to grow up in.
I grew up in Modesto. Growing up, I was here like every other weekend during the summer, always with a mountain bike, water, and food. And a number of friends. Late 80s and early 90s it was always there when the sun was out. That's all I knew & I loved it. On the way there, we pass Lover's Leap. I've always known a story to go with it, concerning a couple from different political upbringings. How authentic it is, I would not bet on it, but a lot of political angst was surely quite alive. From Knights Ferry to Merced, many stories exist of a political nature. The late 1800s was indeed a period of California discovery, esp since that 1846-48 war was when CA became part of the union.
In 1852 Grant's regiment sailed from New York to California via the partially built Panama railroad, and walked to the Pacific side during a Yellow Fever breakout. Of the 700 soldiers, wives and children, over 70 perished on the journey. When they arrived in California the army found that the prices were so high, it authorized a pay raise of $1.00 per day. It also urged officers to find outside employment during off duty hours. Grant and a partner started a coal yard, Sherman started working for a Surveyor and helped plat Sacramento. Surgeon Charles Tripler, started a private medical practice when he arrived from Mexico City, and would not see his wife for 4 1/2 years.
I was fortunate to acquire a trunk containg an abundance of Grant & Dent memorabilia with a complete lineage of the families. The trunk was dumped in Mitchell Canyon landfil. It was rescued by a cat operator that lives in Cottonwood. He commutes to his job at the landfill and stays in a travel trailer in Pittsburgh Monday through Thursday, going home to Cottonwood. His wife had a yard sale and I spoke with her of the museum plans in Shasta Lake. We were able to purchase them cheaply for the museum and will be the center of our Civil War display. The documents, photos and certificates are absolutely amazing and a great part of history, including documentation regarding Knights Landing and how the ferry and bridge were acquired by the Dents. President Grant married Julia Dent when he was a young soldier. Julia's father was a devout southern slave owner.
After several attempts I was actually able to go inside the general store. It was always closed in past years but a young couple purchased it and were in the process of restocking merchandise. There used to be a pool hall in the building attached to the side of the store in the old days as it was the central meeting place of the small community.
Out standing presentation and very interesting. I have read several accounts about the life U.S Grant and marvel at his accomplishments. It is said that U.S. Grant and William T. Sherman were in the Cherokee gold mine area near Oroville Ca. on Hwy 70 and this location is also one of the areas where the Clint Eastwood movie "Josey Wales" was filmed. You might look into this interesting area sometime as it would make an interesting story. You do good work and add to the enjoyment of HISTORY. Thank You !!
My days were incomplete if I can't view and see History Hunters. I feel elated and it helps me keep widened my knowlege in the historical places within United States. Some of the places were also visited by me during my 14th times visiting these beautiful country.It makes me made my old memory come alive.
as always,another great video jeff and sarah.yours are without a doubt the best channel on youtube.i've been to knights ferry only once.the more i watch your.folks video the more homesick i get.both of you know so much california history.thanks for the lesson folks.
I love seeing places I’m familiar with having grown up in Modesto and living in Stanislaus County for the first part of my life. Thank you both for your adventures.
Gary Dent, a direct descendant of Lewis Dent, was my classmate thru-out all our grammar and high school years. Video was very well done and immensely enjoyable
Thank you for the journey. I love looking at old buildings and homes especially when there are old pictures that show how it looked in the early days. Thanks for your hard work. Glad Sarah name is still etched in brick and readable. Although someone did it for her.😀
Just watched your video on Ulysses Grant visiting Knights Ferry. My husband and I love your videos. They are always well done and educational. You put so much work into researching each of them. Just one thing I do not know that you are aware of, is that the MiWuk Indians prefer to be referenced to as MiWuk Indians or Native Americans and not as Digger Indians as this was an offensive term to them. In fact in 1924 the MiWuk Indians burned an effigy of a Digger Indian at the Buena Vista Reservation in a symbolic attempt to put that term to rest forever. Please don't take this as criticism, it is just information. Thank you, and keep up the good work. We love your videos!
Yup I caught that too. Unfortunately it is on that one Historical Marker. I've driven through KF but couldn't make much sense of it historically, so thank you for putting a story together around Ulysses Grant- esp with headlines on a statue of Robert Lee's horse Traveller being removed from its plinth recently. I like to have lunch there, the salmon run is wonderful. Where else with so many covered bridges. KF, Robert's Ferry, and Wawana?
I love History Hunters!! I live in the bay area. My friend and I traveled to Knights Ferry yesterday and LOVED the area!!! Covered bridge was awesome, town was cute. There were areas that we closed due to the SIP order but we still had an amazing day. Now we're looking for our next day trip!! Thanks Jeff and Sharon!!
Thank you for watching! If you love cold water you need to come back this summer and jump in that water. It is always cold! Maybe the shutdown will end by summer and allow us to enjoy our lives again! (And it's Sarah, not Sharon, LOL). Love to have you as a subscribers!
Thank you very much for watching, Scott! It is a nice place to visit, especially in the summer when you can jump in the water or raft down the Stanislaus!
Hi. Greetings from Ireland. We absolutely love your programmes and we watch them each evening. Please come to Ireland to follow up on some of the people you have stories on who had Irish ancestors. We would love to meet you if you do. Keep up your excellent work, we will spread the word. Beat wishes and many thanks for the hours of great watching you give us. Imelda & Dave, Sligo, Ireland.
Wow, I am grinning ear to ear at your comments! I love knowing I have viewers all over the globe! Thank you for letting me know you like what we're doing! I would love to visit your country some day! It looks beautiful in photos!
Great Video Jeff. I lived in Knights Ferry from 74 to 79, our high school years, after moving up the hill from Oakdale. Still learned things from this. I had no idea that a house I went to parties in was the Dent house, where US Grant stayed. To me it was Rebel’s house. I just found your channel. Nice to see a home town boy I graduated with has made good.
That's great to hear, Greg! I really appreciate the feedback! I guess we share a love of American history! More videos are in the works on different topics!
I've swam there in that river a 100 times and passed that sign probably a 1,000 times. Great lil side road town and place for a nice picnic. Miss the white horse that used to stand at the fence on the left and greet people who passed on by. He passed away sometime in the early 2000's if I'm not mistaken.
@@jbenziggy Never knew his or her name but we stopped often on our way to Tulloch lake and Poker flats. I seem to have thought it was closer to Knights Ferry but Lovers leap sounds about right. it was fun times eons ago. Like 30+ yrs ago. Great Video btw. I'm really digging the variety of subjects you both choose.
I also use to park on that bridge in my 1965 Mustang Fastback. Had relations with a gal from Knights Ferry on that bridge, shhhh.. We also jumped off. It was a right of passage from most teens from that area. The river has beautiful fish.
Great video Jeff. One little issue: the Native Americans that inhabited the area around Knights Ferry were the Kakisamni. "Digger Indians" was a term used by the settlers and miners of the time, they basically referred to all Native Americans in the central California as "Diggers". It is considered a racial slur\derogatory term to Native Americans. Keep up the good work.
You make the best videos brotha. You should do one on Colombia, California where the town is preserved and Pine Grove Indian Grinding rock park also in NorCal. I take my kids there but haven't had time to research. Your videos allow me to listen on the go. I live in Dan Fernando Valley now but Stockton is my home town and you make videos on alot of places I always wondered about! Keep up the good work sir!
My home town is in Wilmington CA I grew up there I read about hornitos and the story of Joaquin Murrieta Mexican bandido of early calif gold rush era I love the outdoors and it's history native American tribes Miwok yokut Chukchansi tachi dumna yokod I've been to Chawse
visited Knight's Ferry often as a kid. The first Methodist service I ever attended was at the KF Methodist church. I love the general store. I always thought it would be cool to live in this town. Great video.
mark lawson thank you once again for watching and supporting our efforts here. Knights Ferry Indeed is a beautiful location. Maybe you can get out here some day to see it.
Nice video, I first drove across the bridge 55+ years ago, my friends would jump from the bridge into a water hole below ( not me ) my daughter once worked in the ice cream store. Lots of history in the area . 💥
Thanks! I’m sure you meant to say Knights Ferry, not Knights Landing. It is a beautiful place, but it’s best to visit in late spring or summer when you can try the always cold water!
I used to go here all the time and my uncles always told stories of Little People who wandered the rez during the night although I never seen them sometimes along the river you can see the small foot prints of these people its quite shocking
I do so enjoy your videos. Interesting historical travels done with pertinent information without adding all the antics and unnecessary distractions. We like the drone views as it gives an overall view of the area. I'm pretty sure that I will be a subscriber as long as you keep doing these videos. Maybe add a map of where you are occasionally? Lots of luck to you and stay safe out there.
Used to ride bikes around there. As an "Original Transcon RR" fan, I have noticed that Grant is gaining stature over time for his good works. There is a photo taken at Fort Sanders, WY Territory, 1868, by none other than AJ Russell, the man who took the most famous photo of the 19th century, "The Wedding of the Rails" at Promontory Summit, UT. 1869. The Fort Sanders photo shows Grant, Durant, Dodge, and other's after the showdown between Dodge and Durant. That photo might be found on line. Quite interesting for historical rail fans. Thanks!
This Was So Very Interesting, So Much History there.. General Grant was born in southern Ohio, A Humble beginning, He Maried Julia Dent to home her family was Wealthy..
Up on the hill above town, there is a house called 'the caves.' In the basement, there are two tunnels dug straight into the hill. They're pretty long. The story is that Grant had them dug as a place to stash armaments should they be needed later. I've been in them.
I'd be willing to bet Grant had nothing to do with the tunnels. He only visited his brothers in law on three occasions for about two weeks at a time and he was very disgruntled with his military service. He was fascinated with the Dents' business enterprises. Folks even say Grant designed the covered bridge but that's not even true.
Another OHS grad here. I'm actually the third generation to graduate from there. If you ever check out the bell tower at the Nazarene church, thats my family whose names are on there.
Mr. Grant was raised in a town close to where I live. He lived with his grandparents in Deerfield, Ohio. His grandmother is buried in a local cemetery. Cool post.
@@jbenziggy No, Ohio. His grandparents and parents are from the PA/OH area. I was mistaken about his mother's burial site. I mis-spoke. It is his grandmother's burial site that is near me. It is in Deerfield Ohio. A very small town in NE Ohio. She passed away in 1805. Her house was an antique shop the last time I visited that area. Ulysses' mother passed away in 1883 and is buried in Cincinnati, Ohio.
I would like to request that you do an episode on Groveland Ca formally known as Garrotte’ very notorious events takes place surrounding horse theft, gold theft and hangings!
We will probably get up there eventually; just not sure when. There is so much on our list already and since we both work full-time elsewhere it might be a while. Thanks for the idea!
Enjoyed, use to live in rancho calaveras use ride my motorcycle there just go south on milton road takes you right into town great roads. The foothills has great rodes and great scenary beautiful place to live.
Very interesting video Jeff,good to know something about Ulysses S. Grant before he became general of the northern army and then the president of the U.S.A..It looks like a nice place to live in.Didnt know part of the shadow riders with Tom Selleck was filmed around there.The area just looks Fantastic.
I met Ben Johnson at the Wild West Film Festival when i was a kid at the fairgrounds in Sonora. Iron Eyes Cody was there too. He rode out in an old Cadillac.
If you are traveling from the valley to Sonora on hwy 120/108, you might want to stop at Knight's ferry 50's Roadhouse Restaurant which is on the way to town right off the highway. A lot of interesting 50's and Elvis memorabilia.
I love your thorough research and indepth approach to history. I learned a lot. I am a fan of covered bridges and this is really an impressive one Thank you for finding it. It was extremely interesting to see the photos of what all the structures used to look like in the past. This seems to have been a very industrious area. I liked the General Store. Nice to see that it is still in operation. The Grant house was cool and to think that people live there today. What happened to the court house? Was it destroyed by fire?
@@jbenziggy the world's greatest athlete with Jan Michael Vincent, i need to watch the movie and identify which scene, i think it's when he is by the river maybe doing a rope scene, I know this cause my Dad grew up down the street from Caswell park on Austin road, back in 73, one day he saw all the activity headed down there one morning, him and 2 girls skipped school and went down there, Jan Michael Vincent asked one of the girls for her number and she got his autograph
Hey jeff.....have you seen the old Town just outside of copperopolis. ? If you head north on us 4 just before you reach the turn out is a left turn.... If you turn right and then right again you'll come across an old town livery stable and across the street you will see a race track with a gazebo, and then up the road aways you'll see the foundations of an old town.Be careful the road is narrow and winds, but if you follow that road it will come back out on us hey 4.
@@jbenziggy Very cool. I started reading U.S. Grant's memoirs. It's remarkable how much he accomplished and how many places he spent time in. Thanks for bringing these historical places and stories to your viewers!
@@jerryprice6414 When I was at Oakdale High, I ditched class with a bunch of kids and one of them had a key to the 2 gates and we drove across . 1992 if I'm not mistaken.
My Grandparents moved to Knights Ferry and opened up a bar and restaurant in 1957 called the White Eagle. I heard it possibly burned down. If anyone had any information where it may have been located etc I’d greatly appreciate it as they passed away when I was really young and didn’t leave much information about it.
Read "A Way Across the Mountain" Joseph Walker's 1833 Trans Sierra Crossing and the Myth of Yosemite Valley's Discovery", by Scott Stine. This meticulously researched thesis strongly postulates that the Walker party crossed over from what is now Genoa, NV., up over the Mountain behind Turtle Rock State Park into Charity Valley, then skirting the south shoreline of Blue Lakes to Deadwood Pk. From there the starving mountain men ( driving 200 horses) dropped down into the upper Mokelumne then up Just east of Bear Valley to the Calaveras Grove and down what is today HYWY 4 and crossed the Stanislaus at what would later become KNIGHTS FERRY!
Really? That's incredible. I plan to make it over to Walker's grave in Martinez! So much early California history I'm eager to explore! Thanks for the information!
Years before Knight established a ferry the only practical crossing of the stanislaus was at 2 mile bar, so named as it was about 2 miles UP river from Knights Ferry. Crossing apparently tied into the road from knights ferry to Copperopolis on the north side of the river. From 2 mile bar going downstream there are still several overgrown deep about 3 foot wide ' trenches " carved into the hillside as a result of place type mining using water nozzles to cut into the ovderburden. and slucing the hoped for gold down to the river. Prior to the great flood which washed out the first bridge at knights ferry, the was a general store at two mile bar. And there used to be ( maybe still there ) a few Palm trees near the old store foundations. In the 30's thru the 50's, at the right time of the year, two mile bar was used in the dark of night to spear salmon... which were going to die anyway. Nighttime was a good way to avoid the local game warden . . . since it was an easy walk along the south side canal to two mile bar...:P
RE Grant and sketch of a bridge made1852-54. The first bridge according to records was built in 1856 approx. later washed out in major flood and current bridge in 1863-64. Local lore had it that Grant had sketched a design which was later used for the first bridge. Probably not. BUT West Point grads of that era ( 1840's ) were well versed in Civil engineering simply because Armys had to cross rivers or use rail for transport. So In MY opinion, it is very probable he did make such a sketch but improbable it was used for actual design of the 1856 bridge. extract from West Point history
This video was extremely I Interesting. Julia Dent Grant was distantly related to General Robert E. Lee. Also, Julia is emtombed next to her husband in Grant's Tomb in NYC.
Yes, I'm wondering if there is a connection to George Locke (Locke Chinatown)...lot of history there, in nearby Isleton and the Ryde Hotel. They're also quite haunted.
First I love your Channel! Second I have a comment on your use of the term "Digger Indians". There was no Digger Indian Tribe. Digger was a term used by the people of the Gold Rush era and beyond as a derogatory general term for all the Native Americans of California. Todays decedents of California Natives find it as repugnant as calling a Black Person a N####r. Both are words that need to be deleted from the English language. Just to make sure I did a google search asking "who were the digger Indians of Calif"? Thank You for your consideration. Looking forward to many more adventures with You and Sarah!
Thank you. I need to explain. Ever since I was a kid I was interested in history. I found a book at the reference library which was printed back in the 1910s which talked about the history of Knights Ferry and that's where I saw the term digger Indians. I assume that were named that because their huts were partially dug into the ground. So I'm not sure what the truth is but I won't use it again.
@@jbenziggy Thank You for the response Jeff. I initially was told about the Digger thing by one of my hiking friends who is Native American (Midua ). Confirmed at the Midua museum in Roseville Ca. Again Thank You. On another subject today I re watched the Mono Lake Episode were you showed the memorial for Kit Carson's daughter. Years ago it was located at the very end of the paved parking lot. Who ever moved it made it almost impossible to find and really not very safe to read. While we were there we drove down the road that goes down the Northern shore. Found the local Cemetery, (interesting ) and a county park with board walk down to the lake. Didn't know about the lumber mill, thanks now I do! Sue B
Hi Guys, I've been there, but I don't remember a whole lot. That was back in the party days, I know that we drank a beer or two there. Ha Haaaa 😎 Thanks for the Tour
Well well done I mean we’ll done you basically i around about way answered question a mystery for that why was my great great grand father doing in that area for 5 to 10 yr according to the census plus he also live in the area of knight ferry to before living in there by Modesto no I really really got go there now 👍👍👍😎
In the 1960s I drove across that covered bridge to get to the Don Pedro Lake and powerhouse. Many times.
Then they closed the bridge to traffic in the '80s and built a new bridge downstream I was born in Modesto and lived 10 miles from Modesto. And 25 miles from Knights Ferry.
Great area to grow up in.
Jeff, I'm always intrigued at the content you put out. 2 yrs. ago and it's still very interesting and informative. Thank you for sharing.
I grew up in Modesto. Growing up, I was here like every other weekend during the summer, always with a mountain bike, water, and food. And a number of friends. Late 80s and early 90s it was always there when the sun was out. That's all I knew & I loved it.
On the way there, we pass Lover's Leap. I've always known a story to go with it, concerning a couple from different political upbringings. How authentic it is, I would not bet on it, but a lot of political angst was surely quite alive. From Knights Ferry to Merced, many stories exist of a political nature. The late 1800s was indeed a period of California discovery, esp since that 1846-48 war was when CA became part of the union.
Walking in my neck of the woods...We go there the first Sunday of every month for breakfast at the Odd fellows hall.
In 1852 Grant's regiment sailed from New York to California via the partially built Panama railroad, and walked to the Pacific side during a Yellow Fever breakout. Of the 700 soldiers, wives and children, over 70 perished on the journey. When they arrived in California the army found that the prices were so high, it authorized a pay raise of $1.00 per day. It also urged officers to find outside employment during off duty hours. Grant and a partner started a coal yard, Sherman started working for a Surveyor and helped plat Sacramento. Surgeon Charles Tripler, started a private medical practice when he arrived from Mexico City, and would not see his wife for 4 1/2 years.
I was fortunate to acquire a trunk containg an abundance of Grant & Dent memorabilia with a complete lineage of the families. The trunk was dumped in Mitchell Canyon landfil. It was rescued by a cat operator that lives in Cottonwood. He commutes to his job at the landfill and stays in a travel trailer in Pittsburgh Monday through Thursday, going home to Cottonwood.
His wife had a yard sale and I spoke with her of the museum plans in Shasta Lake. We were able to purchase them cheaply for the museum and will be the center of our Civil War display. The documents, photos and certificates are absolutely amazing and a great part of history, including documentation regarding Knights Landing and how the ferry and bridge were acquired by the Dents.
President Grant married Julia Dent when he was a young soldier. Julia's father was a devout southern slave owner.
After several attempts I was actually able to go inside the general store. It was always closed in past years but a young couple purchased it and were in the process of restocking merchandise. There used to be a pool hall in the building attached to the side of the store in the old days as it was the central meeting place of the small community.
Out standing presentation and very interesting. I have read several accounts about the life U.S Grant and marvel at his accomplishments. It is said that U.S. Grant and William T. Sherman were in the Cherokee gold mine area near Oroville Ca. on Hwy 70 and this location is also one of the areas where the Clint Eastwood movie "Josey Wales" was filmed. You might look into this interesting area sometime as it would make an interesting story. You do good work and add to the enjoyment of HISTORY. Thank You !!
Sorry for the delay in telling you thanks for your very nice compliment! We appreciate it! Thanks!
My days were incomplete if I can't view and see History Hunters. I feel elated and it helps me keep widened my knowlege in the historical places within United States. Some of the places were also visited by me during my 14th times visiting these beautiful country.It makes me made my old memory come alive.
William, that comment made our day! Thanks! We have having viewers who appreciate history in the United States!
as always,another great video jeff and sarah.yours are without a doubt the best channel on youtube.i've been to knights ferry only once.the more i watch your.folks video the more homesick i get.both of you know so much california history.thanks for the lesson folks.
I love seeing places I’m familiar with having grown up in Modesto and living in Stanislaus County for the first part of my life. Thank you both for your adventures.
I live in Tuolumne and lived in Tuolumne County for 33 yrs and still reside in Tuolumne County 2023
Gary Dent, a direct descendant of Lewis Dent, was my classmate thru-out all our grammar and high school years. Video was very well done and immensely enjoyable
Thanks. There is not a lot of info on Lewis Dent but he is buried with his brother in St. Louis, Mo.
Thank you for the journey. I love looking at old buildings and homes especially when there are old pictures that show how it looked in the early days. Thanks for your hard work. Glad Sarah name is still etched in brick and readable. Although someone did it for her.😀
Just watched your video on Ulysses Grant visiting Knights Ferry. My husband and I love your videos. They are always well done and educational. You put so much work into researching each of them. Just one thing I do not know that you are aware of, is that the MiWuk Indians prefer to be referenced to as MiWuk Indians or Native Americans and not as Digger Indians as this was an offensive term to them. In fact in 1924 the MiWuk Indians burned an effigy of a Digger Indian at the Buena Vista Reservation in a symbolic attempt to put that term to rest forever. Please don't take this as criticism, it is just information. Thank you, and keep up the good work. We love your videos!
Yup I caught that too. Unfortunately it is on that one Historical Marker. I've driven through KF but couldn't make much sense of it historically, so thank you for putting a story together around Ulysses Grant- esp with headlines on a statue of Robert Lee's horse Traveller being removed from its plinth recently. I like to have lunch there, the salmon run is wonderful. Where else with so many covered bridges. KF, Robert's Ferry, and Wawana?
I used to visit Knights Ferry every year for the Peddlers Fair ! Love the town!! Thanks for the memories!
Are used to go swimming there quite a bit in the summertime but the water is always freezing cold!
Thank you Jeff and Sarah for the in-depth coverage! I’m still trying to catch up!
I love History Hunters!! I live in the bay area. My friend and I traveled to Knights Ferry yesterday and LOVED the area!!! Covered bridge was awesome, town was cute. There were areas that we closed due to the SIP order but we still had an amazing day. Now we're looking for our next day trip!! Thanks Jeff and Sharon!!
Thank you for watching! If you love cold water you need to come back this summer and jump in that water. It is always cold! Maybe the shutdown will end by summer and allow us to enjoy our lives again! (And it's Sarah, not Sharon, LOL). Love to have you as a subscribers!
Woops I mean Sarah. Sorry😕
@@valeriedenning5810 No problem!
This is an excellent episode. I've never been to Knights Ferry but I'm going to visit the next time I'm in the area.
Thank you very much for watching, Scott! It is a nice place to visit, especially in the summer when you can jump in the water or raft down the Stanislaus!
Hi. Greetings from Ireland.
We absolutely love your programmes and we watch them each evening.
Please come to Ireland to follow up on some of the people you have stories on who had Irish ancestors. We would love to meet you if you do.
Keep up your excellent work, we will spread the word.
Beat wishes and many thanks for the hours of great watching you give us.
Imelda & Dave, Sligo, Ireland.
Wow, I am grinning ear to ear at your comments! I love knowing I have viewers all over the globe! Thank you for letting me know you like what we're doing! I would love to visit your country some day! It looks beautiful in photos!
@@jbenziggy really glad your doing these videos, watching Black Bart now.
Keep up the great work.
Dave & Imelda.
Love visiting Knight Ferry
What I like about your videos is that you expose the history behind the history that we read in our textbooks.
Thank you! I am glad you like the videos we produce!
Great Video Jeff. I lived in Knights Ferry from 74 to 79, our high school years, after moving up the hill from Oakdale. Still learned things from this. I had no idea that a house I went to parties in was the Dent house, where US Grant stayed. To me it was Rebel’s house. I just found your channel. Nice to see a home town boy I graduated with has made good.
An excellent video. I love to see or read anything about Mr. Grant. Thank You so much for sharing this.
That's great to hear, Greg! I really appreciate the feedback! I guess we share a love of American history! More videos are in the works on different topics!
@@jbenziggy That's great to hear. I've been checking out your videos and they are fantastic. Can't wait for more.
Our civil war reenactment group used to have an annual event there. Capturing the bridge was part of it.
Too bad we can't live life like we used to with Civil War re-enactments and all!
It's still happens. They closed the bridge to pedestrians in 23 tho.
I've swam there in that river a 100 times and passed that sign probably a 1,000 times. Great lil side road town and place for a nice picnic. Miss the white horse that used to stand at the fence on the left and greet people who passed on by. He passed away sometime in the early 2000's if I'm not mistaken.
Oh you mean the legendary horse Cricket before you get to Lover’s Leap!
@@jbenziggy Never knew his or her name but we stopped often on our way to Tulloch lake and Poker flats. I seem to have thought it was closer to Knights Ferry but Lovers leap sounds about right. it was fun times eons ago. Like 30+ yrs ago. Great Video btw. I'm really digging the variety of subjects you both choose.
Brilliant Jeff
I also drove my 1969 Camaro across the covered bridge in the 70s
Mine was a 1974 Camaro! LOL
I also use to park on that bridge in my 1965 Mustang Fastback. Had relations with a gal from Knights Ferry on that bridge, shhhh.. We also jumped off. It was a right of passage from most teens from that area. The river has beautiful fish.
Great video Jeff. One little issue: the Native Americans that inhabited the area around Knights Ferry were the Kakisamni. "Digger Indians" was a term used by the settlers and miners of the time, they basically referred to all Native Americans in the central California as "Diggers". It is considered a racial slur\derogatory term to Native Americans. Keep up the good work.
You make the best videos brotha. You should do one on Colombia, California where the town is preserved and Pine Grove Indian Grinding rock park also in NorCal. I take my kids there but haven't had time to research. Your videos allow me to listen on the go. I live in Dan Fernando Valley now but Stockton is my home town and you make videos on alot of places I always wondered about! Keep up the good work sir!
My home town is in Wilmington CA I grew up there I read about hornitos and the story of Joaquin Murrieta Mexican bandido of early calif gold rush era I love the outdoors and it's history native American tribes Miwok yokut Chukchansi tachi dumna yokod I've been to Chawse
Yet another great trip through time. Thank you
Thank you! Sorry for the delay in replying!
Hi Jeff really enjoyed this vlog like all of them ! Where you get this stuff is amazing! Your the best history teacher I ever had ! Great work
This is awesome, huell howser did an episode in knights ferry in 2007 08 time, may he R.I.P!
Sorry for the delay in telling you thanks for your very nice compliment! We appreciate it! Thanks!
Loved Huell Howser
visited Knight's Ferry often as a kid. The first Methodist service I ever attended was at the KF Methodist church. I love the general store. I always thought it would be cool to live in this town. Great video.
Great video Jeff and Sarah and a beautiful village
mark lawson thank you once again for watching and supporting our efforts here. Knights Ferry Indeed is a beautiful location. Maybe you can get out here some day to see it.
Nice video, I first drove across the bridge 55+ years ago, my friends would jump from the bridge into a water hole below ( not me ) my daughter once worked in the ice cream store. Lots of history in the area . 💥
Sorry for the delay in telling you thanks for your very nice compliment! We appreciate it! Thanks! Yes, the good old days! They were nice!
Jeff loved it. Catching up to episodes i have missed . I love your history! Keep up trucking! Thank you Larry Miller San Diego Ca. Retired
Glad you enjoyed it!!!!
Very interesting tour of Knights Ferry. We will stop by to explore more and check out the area, thanks!
Thanks! I’m sure you meant to say Knights Ferry, not Knights Landing. It is a beautiful place, but it’s best to visit in late spring or summer when you can try the always cold water!
Didn’t know this existed and it’s only an hour away! Thanks history hunters definitely going to see it !
You’ll love ❤️ it!
Best cliff jumping during the summer. Back when I was young, haha.
Yes! Nice cold deep pools!
I used to go here all the time and my uncles always told stories of Little People who wandered the rez during the night although I never seen them sometimes along the river you can see the small foot prints of these people its quite shocking
Great information! This is wonderful. Please keep doing them.
Thank you! Will do!
Thank you for making these wonderful videos 😁😁😁
All the video `s is excellent !!!!!Bye from Greece.I love the U.S.A.
Greece! That is awesome, I'd love to visit Greece. Maybe one day. Thank you for watching!
Thank you!!!! Wellcome. I love the original American peoples!!!! Wellcome in Greece 🇬🇷. I leave in central Greece. Lamia city is town.
Always enjoy this history.
Thank you for sharing
My old stomping grounds. River rafting, water moccasin chasing, and crawdad catching. Good times.
Cliff jumping memories
Thanks for the nice episode!!!
I've driven that highway many times and seen the sign, but never made that turn, now I wish I did.
It's never too late!
My grandparents home was built for U.S. Grant although I am told he actually never stayed there.
I do so enjoy your videos. Interesting historical travels done with pertinent information without adding all the antics and unnecessary distractions. We like the drone views as it gives an overall view of the area. I'm pretty sure that I will be a subscriber as long as you keep doing these videos. Maybe add a map of where you are occasionally? Lots of luck to you and stay safe out there.
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Used to ride bikes around there. As an "Original Transcon RR" fan, I have noticed that Grant is gaining stature over time for his good works. There is a photo taken at Fort Sanders, WY Territory, 1868, by none other than AJ Russell, the man who took the most famous photo of the 19th century, "The Wedding of the Rails" at Promontory Summit, UT. 1869. The Fort Sanders photo shows Grant, Durant, Dodge, and other's after the showdown between Dodge and Durant. That photo might be found on line. Quite interesting for historical rail fans. Thanks!
OMG that Knight's Berry sign was pummeled with bullets 🤣🤣🤣 its still the Wild Wild West out here!
This Was So Very Interesting, So Much History there.. General Grant was born in southern Ohio, A Humble beginning, He Maried Julia Dent to home her family was Wealthy..
Up on the hill above town, there is a house called 'the caves.' In the basement, there are two tunnels dug straight into the hill. They're pretty long. The story is that Grant had them dug as a place to stash armaments should they be needed later. I've been in them.
I'd be willing to bet Grant had nothing to do with the tunnels. He only visited his brothers in law on three occasions for about two weeks at a time and he was very disgruntled with his military service. He was fascinated with the Dents' business enterprises. Folks even say Grant designed the covered bridge but that's not even true.
Wow I did not know that. There used to be a gun store in Knights Ferry too.
Very informative! I live in Oakdale, Ca., not far from Knight's Ferry, & I go there, almost all the time.
G1 Smokescreen thanks! I appreciate you watching! I’m an Oakdale High grad and go to church there!
@@jbenziggy Awesome! Be cool to see you do a history video of Oakdale, while you're at it! 🙂
Another OHS grad here. I'm actually the third generation to graduate from there. If you ever check out the bell tower at the Nazarene church, thats my family whose names are on there.
I like to go there too still. Lots of memories. I went to Oakdale High too
Mr. Grant was raised in a town close to where I live. He lived with his grandparents in Deerfield, Ohio. His grandmother is buried in a local cemetery. Cool post.
Thanks! You must be in Missouri?
@@jbenziggy No, Ohio. His grandparents and parents are from the PA/OH area. I was mistaken about his mother's burial site. I mis-spoke. It is his grandmother's burial site that is near me. It is in Deerfield Ohio. A very small town in NE Ohio. She passed away in 1805. Her house was an antique shop the last time I visited that area. Ulysses' mother passed away in 1883 and is buried in Cincinnati, Ohio.
I would like to request that you do an episode on Groveland Ca formally known as Garrotte’ very notorious events takes place surrounding horse theft, gold theft and hangings!
We will probably get up there eventually; just not sure when. There is so much on our list already and since we both work full-time elsewhere it might be a while. Thanks for the idea!
Wow this was a wonderful video thank you
Thank you! You're the first to comment! Yay! Thanks!
Great video. Nice little community to visit and retire in.
Arleen Rooney thank you! Not much there in the way of housing however!
Yes, I noticed that. More for tourists.
Enjoyed, use to live in rancho calaveras use ride my motorcycle there just go south on milton road takes you right into town great roads. The foothills has great rodes and great scenary beautiful place to live.
Very interesting video Jeff,good to know something about Ulysses S. Grant before he became general of the northern army and then the president of the U.S.A..It looks like a nice place to live in.Didnt know part of the shadow riders with Tom Selleck was filmed around there.The area just looks Fantastic.
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20 miles from my house in Oakdale. Used to ride my mountain bike there when the rangers weren’t looking.
I met Ben Johnson at the Wild West Film Festival when i was a kid at the fairgrounds in Sonora. Iron Eyes Cody was there too. He rode out in an old Cadillac.
Great video. Thanks.
Glad you liked it!
If you are traveling from the valley to Sonora on hwy 120/108, you might want to stop at Knight's ferry 50's Roadhouse Restaurant which is on the way to town right off the highway. A lot of interesting 50's and Elvis memorabilia.
Yes I have been there many times!
great episode.
Thank you!
I love your thorough research and indepth approach to history. I learned a lot. I am a fan of covered bridges and this is really an impressive one
Thank you for finding it. It was extremely interesting to see the photos of what all the structures used to look like in the past. This seems to have been a very industrious area. I liked the General Store. Nice to see that it is still in operation. The Grant house was cool and to think that people live there today. What happened to the court house? Was it destroyed by fire?
Love it great video very informative
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love this one! just a friendly suggestion - one episode you may enjoy doing is the one about caswell park, some history there as well as a movie scene
I am not familiar with a movie shot at Caswell State Park. Do you know what it was?
@@jbenziggy the world's greatest athlete with Jan Michael Vincent, i need to watch the movie and identify which scene, i think it's when he is by the river maybe doing a rope scene, I know this cause my Dad grew up down the street from Caswell park on Austin road, back in 73, one day he saw all the activity headed down there one morning, him and 2 girls skipped school and went down there, Jan Michael Vincent asked one of the girls for her number and she got his autograph
Nice !!!!
Super neat!!!
Had to watch it again even though I’m there a few times a month lol
The longest covered wooden bridge west of the Mississippi
The longest single span covered bridge in the US is located on the South Yuba River at Bridgeport near Grass Valley, CA in the State Park there.
I love bridges, this one is beautiful you should upload some photos to Bridgehunter
I enjoyed your video. Thank you. On a side note General Grant only started smoking during the civil war.
He was gifted cigars for his successes and it helped mask the smell of rotting corpses after the battles.
Yes you used to be able to drive across it. My middle sons father used to jump off it A lot of good parties in the 70 s there.
Hey jeff.....have you seen the old Town just outside of copperopolis. ? If you head north on us 4 just before you reach the turn out is a left turn....
If you turn right and then right again you'll come across an old town livery stable and across the street you will see a race track with a gazebo, and then up the road aways you'll see the foundations of an old town.Be careful the road is narrow and winds, but if you follow that road it will come back out on us hey 4.
Very Good video....
John Kelsey thank you! Not bad for a week and a half since shooting!
I Mention incorrectly it’s is knight’s ferry and the one you did your documentary on thanks for doing what you do😎😎👍👍👍👍👍👍
My friend, C. Grant, is related to Ulysses.
Really neat history there. Do you have any photos of the camaro you drove across the bridge? T-top camaro?
I think I have one or two pictures of it. It was not a T top but a fake rag top. Camaro LT.
@@jbenziggy Very cool. I started reading U.S. Grant's memoirs. It's remarkable how much he accomplished and how many places he spent time in. Thanks for bringing these historical places and stories to your viewers!
How cool loved it
Thank you Michigander Man! Say are you from Michigan? LOL
@@jbenziggy yep west michigan 😆
@@Michiganderman71 try to stay warm up there!
I can remember when you could drive across that covered bridge.
Me too. I drove across, parked on the north side to go swimming and got a parking ticket! LOL
@@jbenziggyI Remember the traffic light at each end of the bridge like Basso bridge in La Grange had.
@@jerryprice6414 When I was at Oakdale High, I ditched class with a bunch of kids and one of them had a key to the 2 gates and we drove across . 1992 if I'm not mistaken.
Him and Sherman,when I lived in Augusta,GA. Whew,they still hate him
I can only imagine!
My Grandparents moved to Knights Ferry and opened up a bar and restaurant in 1957 called the White Eagle. I heard it possibly burned down. If anyone had any information where it may have been located etc I’d greatly appreciate it as they passed away when I was really young and didn’t leave much information about it.
Read "A Way Across the Mountain" Joseph Walker's 1833 Trans Sierra Crossing and the Myth of Yosemite Valley's Discovery", by Scott Stine. This meticulously researched thesis strongly postulates that the Walker party crossed over from what is now Genoa, NV., up over the Mountain behind Turtle Rock State Park into Charity Valley, then skirting the south shoreline of Blue Lakes to Deadwood Pk. From there the starving mountain men ( driving 200 horses) dropped down into the upper Mokelumne then up Just east of Bear Valley to the Calaveras Grove and down what is today HYWY 4 and crossed the Stanislaus at what would later become KNIGHTS FERRY!
Really? That's incredible. I plan to make it over to Walker's grave in Martinez! So much early California history I'm eager to explore! Thanks for the information!
Years before Knight established a ferry the only practical crossing of the stanislaus was at 2 mile bar, so named as it was about 2 miles UP river from Knights Ferry. Crossing apparently tied into the road from knights ferry to Copperopolis on the north side of the river. From 2 mile bar going downstream there are still several overgrown deep about 3 foot wide ' trenches " carved into the hillside as a result of place type mining using water nozzles to cut into the ovderburden. and slucing the hoped for gold down to the river. Prior to the great flood which washed out the first bridge at knights ferry, the was a general store at two mile bar. And there used to be ( maybe still there ) a few Palm trees near the old store foundations. In the 30's thru the 50's, at the right time of the year, two mile bar was used in the dark of night to spear salmon... which were going to die anyway. Nighttime was a good way to avoid the local game warden . . . since it was an easy walk along the south side canal to two mile bar...:P
RE Grant and sketch of a bridge made1852-54. The first bridge according to records was built in 1856 approx. later washed out in major flood and current bridge in 1863-64. Local lore had it that Grant had sketched a design which was later used for the first bridge. Probably not. BUT West Point grads of that era ( 1840's ) were well versed in Civil engineering simply because Armys had to cross rivers or use rail for transport.
So In MY opinion, it is very probable he did make such a sketch but improbable it was used for actual design of the 1856 bridge.
extract from West Point history
If you walk up the river is a Ways it’s very impressive
Yes, I've been up there a ways! Hey thanks for watching!
20 years ago there was a small gun store there. The old guy that owned it , Henry , claimed to have run guns with Oliver North for Reagan.
This video was extremely I Interesting. Julia Dent Grant was distantly related to General Robert E. Lee. Also, Julia is emtombed next to her husband in Grant's Tomb in NYC.
The name Locke seems to be found quite a bit in central valley history.
Yes, I'm wondering if there is a connection to George Locke (Locke Chinatown)...lot of history there, in nearby Isleton and the Ryde Hotel. They're also quite haunted.
Are used to park my 53 Dodge pick up When it was the bridge and nobody want there And property was worth nothing. . Oh the good old days
Knights ferry was home to yokut native Americans there grinding mortars are found on both sides of the river more on the south side near the bridge
First I love your Channel! Second I have a comment on your use of the term "Digger Indians". There was no Digger Indian Tribe. Digger was a term used by the people of the Gold Rush era and beyond as a derogatory general term for all the Native Americans of California. Todays decedents of California Natives find it as repugnant as calling a Black Person a N####r. Both are words that need to be deleted from the English language. Just to make sure I did a google search asking "who were the digger Indians of Calif"? Thank You for your consideration. Looking forward to many more adventures with You and Sarah!
Thank you. I need to explain. Ever since I was a kid I was interested in history. I found a book at the reference library which was printed back in the 1910s which talked about the history of Knights Ferry and that's where I saw the term digger Indians. I assume that were named that because their huts were partially dug into the ground. So I'm not sure what the truth is but I won't use it again.
@@jbenziggy Thank You for the response Jeff. I initially was told about the Digger thing by one of my hiking friends who is Native American (Midua ). Confirmed at the Midua museum in Roseville Ca. Again Thank You. On another subject today I re watched the Mono Lake Episode were you showed the memorial for Kit Carson's daughter. Years ago it was located at the very end of the paved parking lot. Who ever moved it made it almost impossible to find and really not very safe to read. While we were there we drove down the road that goes down the Northern shore. Found the local Cemetery, (interesting ) and a county park with board walk down to the lake. Didn't know about the lumber mill, thanks now I do! Sue B
Hi Guys, I've been there, but I don't remember a whole lot. That was back in the party days, I know that we drank a beer or two there. Ha Haaaa 😎 Thanks for the Tour
You were one of those hell-raisers, eh? LOL
@@jbenziggy Once upon a time . 😂
Well well done I mean we’ll done you basically i around about way answered question a mystery for that why was my great great grand father doing in that area for 5 to 10 yr according to the census plus he also live in the area of knight ferry to before living in there by Modesto no I really really got go there now 👍👍👍😎
If you want to visit another Indian grinding rock visit Chaw se in
Amador County Ca
Wear are those buildings at I’ve gone to the bridge but haven’t been able to fling the town
The town is less than a half mile from the bridge!