The Mokelumne Hill Archives has just received an extraordinary donation of historic papers, photos, and other relics from the Moser and Solari families. Pete (Eugene) and Jean Peterson, former long-time residents of Moke Hill, have been keeping the items safe since they received them from the estate of Gildo Solari, who lived his entire life in the family home across Highway 26 from the Elementary School. Included are hundreds of photographs; legers from the Sauve Store dating between 1882 and 1897; the Moke Hill American Legion of Honor Roll Book of 1882; numerous diaries, receipts, and letters (including weather records kept by John Suave in the 1920s); the family portrait album on its table stand; along with personal items such as opera gloves and a feather fan, a finely made white dress, and the bowler hat worn by the town barber. Julia Costello and Mary McNamara sorted through the donation and organized them into nine archive boxes which now await cataloging and conservation. The town is greatly indebted to the Petersons for this generous gift, an historical treasure trove now preserved our Archives.
