Warren Gale's Goats

Post by **Sean** » Mon Sep 14, 2020 8:43 am

In the early 1900s Warren Gale and his goats maintained the firebreaks above Claremont. Photos from the Wheeler Scrapbook Collection.

Post by **JeffH** » Mon Sep 14, 2020 8:28 pm

That's Potato Mountain behind his left shoulder in pic #1. The second photo looks like the ridge up to Gale Mountain, the dam or spreading grounds would be at the base.

Post by **Sean** » Wed Sep 16, 2020 3:40 pm

It's not quite the correct angle, but it's pretty close.

The old Gale Ranch property is at the Pomello entrance of Claremont Hills Wilderness Park, acquired by the city in 2011.

Post by **JeffH** » Wed Sep 16, 2020 7:18 pm

Nice find. As you found out on your other hike that is the 'secret' entrance to the Wilderness Park. Use the free parking area at the top of Indian Hill and go in via the fire road. I don't like going up Gale Mountain road - paved steep and hot.

Post by **Sean** » Thu Sep 17, 2020 12:52 am

JeffH wrote: Use the free parking area at the top of Indian Hill and go in via the fire road. I don't like going up Gale Mountain road - paved steep and hot.

I noticed that dirt road after going up Pomello. Thanks for the parking info. I might go back in the fall when it's cooler.

Post by **Sean** » Thu Sep 17, 2020 9:11 am

Like the rolling foothills above Claremont, life at Gale's ranch had its ups and its downs. In 1915, during the nation's movement toward Prohibition, Warren Gale pled guilty to "illegal liquor handling."

walker · Post by **walker** » Fri Sep 18, 2020 6:02 pm

Awesome find. That last phrase has a nice ring to it. They should use it in a police show:
"Tell us now or we'll put you away for illegal handling of liquors at the goat farm"

Post by **Sean** » Sat Sep 19, 2020 3:37 pm

walker wrote: Awesome find. That last phrase has a nice ring to it. They should use it in a police show:
"Tell us now or we'll put you away for illegal handling of liquors at the goat farm"

Haha. There are so many possible uses.