My mother,Ina Mae Wadsworth Wimsatt was born and raised in Panaca,Nevada. I spent time each summer with my grandparents,James Allen and Lois Stewart Wadsworth,cousins,siblings and parents in Panaca as I was growing up.
This quaint little town was every child's dream. I was surrounded by family with a freedom I didn't get to experience at home in El Cajon, California. It was in Panaca that I rode my first horse,drove my first vehicle (my Uncle Leo's truck and I was under age),swam in the local swimming holes (the Big Ditch and the Spring),walked to the store for treats with a quarter,visited the Malt Shop for a malt or a meal,ate food freshly picked from my grandparents garden,slopped the pigs,gathered eggs,crossed the bull's corral without getting gored, watched Granny bake cinnamon rolls,pies,donuts and much more,climbed the Court Rock and slept under the stars with Granny on the bed she kept outside....I could continue this list but I think you get the idea!
This July Panaca rolled out the red carpet and celebrated its Sesquicentennial milestone. 150 years ago Panaca was settled by our Pioneer Ancestors. This was a party we didn't want to miss. My parents and I rented an RV and our journey began. We drove to Panaca with Brexton,Nixin and Presley,three of my grandchildren. My two sons and their wives Brinton and Allison and Trey and Jenna came with their children. Brinton's children I already listed and Trey's daughters, Montana and Harlee. My brother Paul,his wife Joanne, and his entire family, Justin his son,Jeni and her husband Chris and their children Ethan and Ryann all came.
We stayed at Young's RV in Caliente,Nevada and loved the facilities there. The first picture you see is of a deer visiting the RV park. We saw them each day we were there.
The Spring is a favorite swimming hole. That is Brexton and Ethan getting ready to jump.
The Panaca Merchantile is now the Heritage Center. I took pictures of the collage my Mom and I put together for the Heritage Center. The cabinet below was my Granny's kitchen cabinet now in the Heritage Center.
This statue honoring the first settlers of Panaca was unveiled. We are proud of our Pioneer ancestry.
The 24th of July parade was the best ever this year. All of the children said it was their favorite Panaca experience.
We tie-died shirts before we came. Not only did the kids have fun making the shirts they loved to wear them also. Yes, they looked cute. Trey and Jenna's VW bus was a perfect backdrop for these pictures!
Another favorite of the grandkids is Uncle Pete's backyard. Pete Horlacher is married to my mother's younger sister Delores. We stopped by for a visit and you can see a good time was had by all.
Brexton's handstand on the bus and he was victorious at air hockey!
