Thursday, January 7, 2010

Clear Water Ranch Children's House


"Debra Coe, she is writing a book on Clearwater Ranch" --Cathy Calcagno

"I began working at Clearwater Ranch in Philo from Fall, 1980 as a child care worker. I was involved when the residential program moved from Philo to Cloverdale in the mid-80s under the directorship of Dr. Sean Faire. Somewhere, among my paperbacks, I have a paperback book that was written about Clearwater Ranch and it's beginnings..." --Richard Johansson

A List that mentions this place
A forum on which people chat about it


15 comments:

  1. Richard, I was there and I remember you!! You were very kind. I've been trying to find people from there, staff, kids, anyone for some time now and I've found one, Sevete, but I'd love to find others! Any other info you might have would be greatly appreciated!!
    Pati
    patipoppins@gmail.com

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  2. Hello,
    I'm Glenn, the only tall black guy there, the ranch was in Philo Ca. I have been back there a few times, I think they should turn it into a small hidden resorts. When I was there, they had 3 ponies (Ginger, Sue and Muffen), there were 2 geese that would take your food if you did not pay attention lol. I remembered going to the Red House to grow a garden, in the summer, they would put in a spillway so we would have a place to swim and hikes over the creek, pass the barn via the swing bridge, to the medows above or big boys hill to slide down on cardboard.

    softworcs@gmail.com

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    1. Hi my name is Don. I was a house parent at Clearwater from 1979 - 1983. Worked in the wilderness program with Betty and Ken and Kathy. I started the garden at the Red House when it was first opened as a children's residence in '82. Does anyone know how to contact Kathryn Larson (Director for several years prior to "83.

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    2. hello Don. This is Philip the one that had the horse at The red house, I remember you when we were doing backpacking trips at the wilderness program, haven’t heard from you since being at Clearwater, how is everything been?

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    3. I remember you Don, you always wore a fisherman's cap and you had a Santa Claus beard. You were always very kind. And I hope you're doing well

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  3. Glenn, I remember you (and your immaculate yellow Studebaker). You did admirable work. Ruth and I taught at the Ranch, left when it continued to take in autistic kids despite lack of program or qualifications.

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  4. I was placed at Clearwater ranch when I was 11 yrs old through the youth guidance center ( juvenile court San Francisco) 1984-85 my name is Joel Salsedo

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  5. I was placed at clear water at 9 in 1990 I was there when it closed

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  6. My name is Anthony and I was placed at clear water when I was nine I was there when it closed

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  7. I worked at CRW from about 1980/83-spervisored Rainbow House before doing the hiring of child care staff. Mostly good memories but no all.

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  8. My brothe James Fisher was placed at the ranch at age 5 after being taken away from home my mother boyfriend abused and his life went down hil from there RIP James contact me if you knew him denorahall1971@gmail.com

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  9. I was a child there somewhere around 83 to 87,not sure the exact year,think I was there a few years. I remember a kid named JJ ,a Ron Masterson,a girl named Twila, a donnie and a ricky. I remember Carls house, rambow house and there was one up a hill over a rope bridge think it was called horizon house.I remeber a counselor named Keenen who could hold a basket ball with one hand. We were taken to lassen,and river rafting. There was a couple who would take kids camping up the creek. We had a swimming hole behind the school. I drove by the roadway hauling equipment the other day and got me thinking about this place. Is it still standing or did it get bulldozed,does anyone know? Bill

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    1. Was your name billy? And you had a best friend named Sherman a black kid?

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  10. Hello , I lived there mid eighties .. WAS AN ABSOLUTE BEAUTIFUL environment for children. I have only positive memories . I do not have a great memory for names and exact years . I do remember the ranch though. . some of my only positive memories from my childhood... Blessings all.....

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