H4247.1

• spanish

Saddle. Material: leather; Color: dk. brown. Date: ca. 1860. Dimensions: h: approx 36" (48" crossed out). w: 17". length: 21"--normal saddle size. Description: Saddle used in California. Belonged to Jo Higuerra, who was the head drover at a ranch owned at that time by George Lingo. Legend has it that Higuerra used this saddle in driving cattle from Covello in Round Valley. He traded with the Indians. ("He bought and sold cattle in the Stockton-Sacramento area." is crossed out). The donor's uncle bought the saddle from Higuerra about 75 years ago. The saddle is about 100 years old. The saddle hung in the barn of the Olsen ("Lingo" is crossed out) Ranch. for 25 yrs. INFO ON THE RANCH: The ranch has changed hands several times since owned by George Lingo. First to Howard Kirby of the Kirby Brothers, then to the Lanbie Brothers, then to Mervin Barnes - the present owner. The Lingo Ranch is located near Travis Air Force Base, Solano County. Round Valley Area was once called the Garden of Eden ("--then Jerusalem" is crossed out). The government bought the valley and divided it into plots for the Indians. There are hills and tulles in the round Valley area. The cattle were acquired in Covello by Lingo & driven by Higuerra ("and then brought" is crossed out) to the Lingo Ranch in Solano County -- Mt. BRUNSON. There the cattle would be fattened & then driven to SUISUN, the railroad yard. Here they would be loaded & sent. From the History Information Station: Object: Saddle of tooled leather made in Mexico, circa 1860. This saddle originally belonged to Jo Higuerra, head drover at a California ranch. History: The "Western" style saddle was developed in response to the rigors of cattle raising on the unfenced ranges of New Spain and Alta California. The Western saddle has a sturdy wooden frame, long, broad stirrups with which the rider braces himself, and a high horn to secure his lariat. It allowed the vaquero, or cowboy, to rope cattle from the saddle. A poorly made or heavy saddle was hard on both horse and rider. Every element served a purpose, including the tooling which, in addition to pleasing the eye, kept the rider in place by providing a uneven, nonslip surface. Gift of Emery Olsen

Used: Mexico | California ~ Jo Higuerra ~ George Lingo ~ Covello ~ Round Valley ~ Lingo Ranch ~ Olsen Ranch ~ Howard Kirby ~ Lanbie ~ Mervin Barnes | Travis Air Force Base ~ Solano Co. | North American Indian | Hispanic American | Mexican American