So, Smoke, are you related? (someone had to ask)
Marty Perdue
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---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: Smoke <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2006 16:16:51 -0500
>>From the History section of the State park Web pages:
>
>The land which now belongs to Pfeiffer Big Sur State park was first
>homesteaded by John and Florence Pfeiffer in 1902. Both children of
>early Big Sur pioneers, they made their home on the north bank of the
>Big Sur River.
>I
>t was Florence, however, who had to deal with the many additional
>duties numerous house guests created. While John would be out with
>their guests hunting or fishing, attending to his bees or overseeing
>the cattle, it was Florence who hauled the water, cooked the meals,
>washed the dishes, made the beds and did the laundry, besides
>attending to her poultry and vegetable garden. Guests knew a good
>thing when the found it and word spread. Visitors both increased and
>lengthened their stay.
>
>After many years, Florence finally took matters firmly into her own
>hands as she recalled in her memoirs. "A man whom Mr. Pfeiffer really
>disliked had stopped at the house to stay all night. He had four of
>his friends with him and a string of five pack animals. They had their
>supper, bed and breakfast. Next morning his friends left on the stage
>without even 'thank you.'" When the packer began beating one of his
>mules with a stick, Florence grew bold and told him what she thought
>of his cruelty. While the man stared at Florence in confusion, she
>pressed her point. "From now on," she told him, "I expect to charge
>you so much for each horse, so much for each bed, and so much for each
>meal every time you stop here."
>
>Thus it was, in 1908, that Pfeiffer's Ranch Resort came into being on
>the site of today's Big Sur Lodge. It soon became the family's primary
>occupation and attracted a devoted clientele who enjoyed the simple
>accommodations and Florence's great cooking.
>
>John died in 1941 at the age of 79 and Florence lived to be 85.
>
>In 1933, the State of California purchased John and Florence's
>homestead lands and named the new park in honor of the Pfeiffers. Ever
>since then, the Big Sur Lodge has continued in the Pfeiffer tradition
>of hospitality.
>
>Smoke
>
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