Kaweah Commonwealth Vol. 2, No. 4 (New Series)
Visalia, California: Burnette G. Haskell, 1891. Newspaper. Kaweah Commonwealth Vol. 2, No. 4 (New Series), Visalia, California, 1891. First edition, bifolio 4pp., 16.25 x 11 inches.
Minor edge wear and bent corners. Slight separation beginning at head and foot of fold. Slight toning. Very Good.
Newspaper issue from 1891 from the Kaweah Cooperative Colony Company, originally founded in 1886 for the purpose of demonstrating the advantages of complete cooperation in in social and industrial life. One of numerous American cooperative communities which sprouted in the second half of the 19th century. The Kaweah Colony applied for 53 land patents covering 12,000 acres surrounding the forks of the Kaweah River in eastern Tulare County, California. With financial support from Kaweah Clubs in Los Angeles, Denver, New York and the Bay area, funds were raised to found the colony and begin construction on an 18-mile road providing access to rich timber stands. The colony members also built a print shop, blacksmith shop, dining hall and post office in Kaweah. This work based on the optimistic belief that their land patent would be approved quickly.
This issue contains a brief summary of the organization and purpose of the Kaweah Colony. Colony membership entitled each owner to an equal share with all others in all profits and privileges with work credits used in exchange for meals and goods at the Colony store; all work was credited at the same exchange rate.
Road completion in 1890 coincided with the creation of Sequoia National Park with surrounding lands becoming deeded National Forest lands. All Keweah Colony land claims were rejected, and members found themselves branded as trespassers on federal lands with their road now utilized by the National Park Service as access to the sequoia groves.
This issue includes numerous ads, Colony Notes, a report from the "Denver Group", a long report on their General Meeting and meeting of the Board of Trustees plus the Colonies secretary's summary of the situation at Kaweah. Within a couple years the colony had disbanded. Issues of the Kaweah Commonwealth are uncommon. Item #113
Price: $425.00