I came across these photos today. Both images are undated and neither are attributed to a photographer, but they were filed under 1900. They look like they might be autochrome images.
Both pictures feature poppy fields in Waterford, California, which is about 15 miles east of Modesto.
Poppies, Waterford, California
Middlebury College
Holsteins and poppies
Middlebury College
I’m always searching for this hidden part of California culture. I know it when I see it or hear it, but it’s difficult to describe. It was much more prevalent in the early twentieth century but I occasionally find traces of it still exist.
These pictures are a good example of this mystery genre and there’s some music too. The best example I could find is from the documentary The Second Gun. I believe the composer was Travis E. Pike. I’ve asked musician friends what this genre is called but I haven’t found anyone who knows. For the time being, we’ve named it NorCal Vineyard Folk music.
If you’re curious, here’s a 30-second snippet the documentary featuring this mystery music. (Because it’s a clip instead of a full video, I can’t embed it in this post.)
https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx8MI7UKdDedfHh3dBtddBm0IkKSFbtcsX?si=svs1NlTd6A7ZJJPL
I hope you have a happy weekend–perhaps a delightful surprise or a grand adventure awaits you!
President Theodore Roosevelt driving through the Wawona Tunnel Tree, in Yosemite Nat’l Park. May 15, 1903. Underwood & Underwood
old spirituals 
I would like to know the answer… I find the music to be calming
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I love the poppies, too! They’re a gold color where my oldest daughter lives. Unfortunately, people stop, get out of their cars, trample the poppies and clog up the freeway traffic.
The redwood tree reminds me of our walking through the tunnel because our car was too wide!
I really like that music, too. It reminds me of something I’ve heard before, but can’t remember where.
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I really wish someone knew about that music!
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The music and beat reminds me of House of the Rising Sun. I went down the YouTube rabbit hole and found a group that doesn’t put a rock spin on it. Many people in the comments called the genre Dark Blues.
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I’ll check that out. Thank you so much, Judy!
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The music to me sounds like a piece from a Clint Eastwood Western movie, though I know that is wrong. One of my favorite acoustic guitars songs is from Eastwood’s movie Unforgiven.
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Oh do you remember the name of the song?
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Claudia’s Theme. Starts with acoustic guitar then crescendos into full orchestration.
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Thank you, I’ll check it out!
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Judy, I was looking for this and found a cover by Melodicka Bros. It’s similar!
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Yes, that’s the group that sounded so similar and where comments mentioned Dark Blues. Some comments mentioned westerns , also.
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I have a cognitive bias. When I see a “red poppy” I think of Flanders Field and the Buddy Poppy distributed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a.k.a. “VFW.” Buddy Poppy has been part of American culture since 1918. Today, unfortunately, the solicitation of donations by and for the VFW in return for a Buddy Poppy has faded from America’s landscape.
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That’s true! it’s a tricky thing for those of us who love and appreciate our vets but don’t approve of sending them into danger in so many of these foreign conflicts
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Agreed. However, since homo sapiens started walking the earth, mankind has found a reason to start a war. It may be in our DNA.
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History would tend to prove you right, though it’s so unfortunate…
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