“Scientists say that only 20 or 30 percent of the world’s gold has been discovered yet,” an 1849 gold miner told a crowd of local children and families, on Saturday, April 4, as he taught a young man with an Apple logo on his t-shirt how to pan for gold.
“That means that 80 percent of the world’s gold hasn’t been found yet,” the miner continued, “There is plenty of gold out there. The trick is to find it.”
The gold miner, Glen Coehl of Hollister, is one of many modern day men and women who dawn period costumes and volunteer their time with the Plaza History Association to bring the history of late 1800’s to life on the grounds of the historic San Juan Bautista Mission, Plaza Hotel and Breen Castro Adobe in San Juan Bautista.
Volunteers and Members of the Plaza History Association present their living history exhibitions, complete with mountain men, Victorian ladies and even a Blacksmith, on the first Saturday of every month and on Father’s Day. The group also provides guided tours of the grounds as well as operates the Plaza Hotel’s gift shop and saloon. The proceeds support interpretative programs in San Juan Bautista.
Tamara Polley of Tulaine County and Joshua Poe, 9, were among the crowd of visitors in front of the Blacksmith’s station on Saturday.
“We love it,” Polley said, explaining that she and Poe had visited San Juan Bautista a few weeks prior during a school field trip with his fourth grade class and had decided to return on their own when they learned about the living history exhibit.
“The Blacksmith is the best,” Poe added, clutching a home-made horseshoe in his hand.
Another volunteer dressed as a mountain man, Bob Larson, displayed furs from animals that original pioneers might have trapped.
“I enjoy doing this,” Larson said. Larson has volunteered with the Plaza Historical Society since 1996, when the group visited a scout camp he was involved with. Since then the San Jose resident has made the drive every month to be a part of the group’s events.
The Plaza History Association was originally founded 30 years ago, according to the group’s Vice President, Joe McMahon. McMahon has a special connection to the San Juan Bautista historic site. He is the descendent of José Antonio Castro, Commandant General of the Mexican Army in Alta California and the original owner of the house, now known as the Castro Breen Adobe, that stands next to the Plaza Hotel. The home was later sold to pioneer Patrick Breen and his family, who survived the Donner Party tragedy during their trip west.
The Plaza Hotel and the Castro Breen Adobe, both designated California Historical Landmarks, were honored during a ceremony on Saturday in which plaque was unveiled detaining the historical significance of both structures. The bronze plaque was provided through a partnership between the California State Park’s 150th legacy Landmarks Project and funding provided by the Native Sons of the Golden West.