| Olive
Through the Ages
Web Site Dedication
This site is dedicated to the memory of historian, author,
and Civil War battlefield preservationist Brian Pohanka, who passed
away on June 15, 2005 at the age of 50.
Many people are familiar with Brian Pohanka's name and face from his
appearances on the History Channel's "Civil War Journal,"
and for his work as a consultant and extra in films such as "Cold
Mountain" and "Glory." He also could be seen in East
Coast Civil War re-enactments as captain of the 5th New York Volunteers
Infantry (Duryée's Zouaves), and was a prominent guest speaker
at many Civil War roundtable events.
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photo by DLO |
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Brian Pohanka at Fairhaven Cemetery
in the City of Orange on November 10, 2001. |
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I did not have the opportunity to know Brian Pohanka
as a celebrity. To me, the Brian I knew was modest and very down to earth;
a kind and faithful friend who took time to get to know individuals outside
of his circle of well-known and important people, and quietly rooted for
the underdog. Genteel and eloquent, Brian was a patient teacher who shared
much of his knowledge and gave a lot of his time in the cause of preserving
the memory of soldiers from the Civil War and Great War eras, and the
Battle of Little Bighorn.
An East Coast native who lived near President George Washington's home
in Mount Vernon, Brian was also interested in the preservation of local
history sites, and had been to Southern California on a number of occasions.
When I mentioned last summer that I was going to build a Web site for
the community of Olive, Brian commented in an email message dated September
8, 2004: "[I'm] glad...that you are working on the history of Olive.
Many of those sites in California are, as you know, very old, and even
some of the newer ones have a rich history."
I am grateful to have known and shared a friendship with Brian. I shall
miss him and his encouragement to me. He was an inspiration in my historical
writings for my Web site "Life
Stories of Civil War Heroes," and he introduced me to many of
the poet soldiers of World War I featured at my Web site "Voices
from the Fields." This site is dedicated in Brian's memory.
- Daralee
June 17, 2005
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank the following individuals who have contributed
to this site by providing information via email: Bob Morris for taking
the time to find and send photos of the last Olive depot, Steve Sandifer
and Evan Werkema for their research on Olive's Santa Fe depots, John
Signor for allowing me to use photos from his collection, members of
the citrusmodeling group for their assistance with my queries, and Kendra
Dorado at North Orange Christian Church for supplying the completion
date of the original St. Paul's Lutheran Church sanctuary.
I am especially grateful to the representatives at the Orange County
Archives for their time and assistance and interest in this project.
Phil Brigandi—who has a phenomenal memory for details about the
region—has generously contributed knowledge about structures in
the community, along with humorous and fascinating historical anecdotes.
Chris Jepsen has provided excellent assistance in patiently retrieving
and reproducing archival photographs and maps of the Olive area.
Additionally, I would like to thank the reference desk staff at the
City of Orange Public Library and Santa Ana Public Library History Room,
and the authors, photographers, and Web masters whose fine works are
referenced at this site.
I hope you have enjoyed your journey through the Olive community. More
information is yet to be posted in the near future.
- Daralee
June 13, 2005
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