Camp Kanawyer in Kings Canyon
Dear Mr. Burns,
My maiden name is Merry Anne Kanawyer, and am descended from the Kanawyer family, who opened a camp store and "resort" in Kings Canyon, and also owned a copper mine nearby.
Not a lot is written about them, but if you look at a map of the area, you will see Kanawyer Flats (location of Camp Kanawyer), Kanawyer Pass and Kanawyer Loop.
Kanawyer Loop is now a hiking trail listed in the Sierra Club literature, but in the late 19th Century, the Kanawyers used to offer tours of Kings Canyon. They would either lead people in a pack train on horse or mule back, or they would take them in a rough wagon.
The first Sierra Club meeting in Kings Canyon was held at Camp Kanawyer. The Kanawyers knew John Muir, and he was quoted as saying that he loved Viola Kanawyer's pies.
Viola's daughter (perhaps her granddaughter) was also named Viola, and she married a fire spotter in Sequoia National Forest, where they lived in a tiny lookout cabin at Buck Rock
There are family members who know more about family history than I do, and if you are interested, I can put you in touch with them. I also have more pictures, if you are interested.
Regards, Merry Kanawyer Clingen
Other | Prior to 1900
Submitted 2/8/2010, WETA
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