1956

Bertha Miller was a photographer and news correspondent for the Sacramento Bee and the Reno Evening Gazette from 1955 through 1962. She recorded most of the events that took place in the small town of Portola, CA. Her negatives and newspaper articles have been saved throughout the years by her daughter and are presented in a series of books. This book covers the activities of the year 1956, when the ladies of the community decided to "clean up their town," and were able to organize the transformation of Commercial Street in two weekends in July, using volunteer labor and supplies. Also covered in this book is the building of a new reservoir, which led to disaster; organization, school and sports activities; and a view at how the town looked over 50 years ago.