This cache series follows the Yellowstone Kelly Heritage Trail and highlights the early Paradise families who gave their names to the main roads through town.
Pentz Road which runs from Magalia to Mesilla Valley was named for Manoah and Sophia Pence.
Manoah, a native of Ohio, arrived in Butte County in the early gold rush years and opened a small store and bar in Mesilla Valley, supplying gear and spirits to miners headed to the mines. He bought out his four partners, expanded his store and added a hotel. He established the 400 acre Pence Ranch which became a local meeting place. He met and married Sophia Finn in 1856.
The road spelling was changed to Pentz, probably to avoid confusion with a town of the same name. Manoah Pence died in 1882 and was buried in the Cherokee Cemetary. Sophia and son Watt moved to Paradise in 1892 where she was an early champion for womens' rights. Sophia died in 1920 and is buried in the Paradise Cemetary next to her son. These pictures show the Pence hotel and ranch.
Congrats to Gogiter for First to Complete this series!