Carmel Magazine

tion Studies and American architectural history at Boston University. In the early 1980s, she came here with her husband and signed on as county historian with the Monterey County Parks Depar tment. Thir ty-four years later, she still serves as cultural affairs manager and histo- rian. In addition to working with the county's Historic Resources Review Board and Historical Advisor y Commission, Clovis manages the Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum (MCARLM). The six-building site in King City's San Lorenzo County Park showcases agri- cultural equipment, home furnishings and histor- ical objects from the late 1800s through World War II. MCARLM visitors can view a blacksmith shop, train depot and schoolhouse, plus a large exhibit barn and traveling presentations. That museum role paved the way for Clovis' lectures and writing — she's since penned books on both the Salinas Valley and nor thern Monterey County. Some of her earliest presen- tations grew from research completed as she developed the MCARLM archives. "The historic archives there started at zero. I'm particularly proud that we've built a signifi- cant collection that focuses on Salinas Valley agriculture," she says. The development of local agriculture was the topic of Clovis' first Carmel Local History Lecture Series presentation two years ago. That event featured several photos from the MCARLM archives. Photo: Courtesy of the Monterey County Historical Society 228 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R / F A L L 2 0 1 5 The Breschini family built a brick store and saloon known as Breschini's Emporium in Blanco, near Salinas, in 1910. They also managed the local post office. "One of my favorite photos is of the Gem Saloon in Manchester," says historian Meg Clovis. Gold miners settled in the mountain community west of Jolon in 1875. By the early 1900s, most of the town burned to the ground. Photo: Courtesy of the Monterey County Free Libraries, Marina CA

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