Flag on the parade grounds at Fort Tejon
So sorry for the lateness of this posting, friends–I’ve been a bit swamped getting back in the swing of things after this year’s ACFW conference in St. Louis, Missouri.
But…I thought you might like to take a peek into the setting of my next novel! Fort Tejon, California, was an occupied military outpost during the Civil War, and I got to visit there a few weeks ago on one of their living history Frontier Army Days. The interpretive staff were so very friendly, knowledgeable, and gracious to this researching writer. You might find some of them in these pictures here. 🙂
Approach to the Officer’s Quarters where my heroine will likely find herself
Authentically open-fired cooked fare, very wisely covered with dishtowels till they lifted them for us to take a peek. Can you see the flies? Now there’s some historical realism for you!
Part of the barracks, and a soldier reaching for his satchel or some such.
Can you identify these items? Yes, apparently in the 1850s and 60s soldiers had toothbrushes!
Uniforms, shoes, and sword.
The friendly fort carpenter, sweeping up wood shaving curls for the night.
So–which picture did you find most interesting? Which would you like to know more about? I’ll be going back to the fort in a few weeks and will see what I can find out!
Congratulations on starting a new novel! Your research sounds fun! This might be silly, but I’m interested in the toothbrush. This tidbit drew me in right away since the toothbrush impacts all of our lives. I thought people historically washed their teeth with a rag. Surprising to see what looks like a modern-day toothbrush sitting next to a bar of soap! Can you find out what type of bristles were used–something coarse, I imagine. And what about the handle? What type of material was that?
It’s funny, Sandra, but the toothbrush really fascinates me too! I’ll try to find out more about it when I go back. Thanks for commenting! 🙂
Soldiers in the ante-bellum US Army could purchase toothbrushes from the Post Sutler (akin to the modern Army Post Exchange [PX]) or other civilian mercantile, the Army did not issue them in the 1850s (nor does the Army today) Most brushes during this period where made of hog’s hair bristles and bone (bovine) handle. Tooth powders was a common brushing agent.
That is fascinating–thank you so much for stopping by and enlightening us, Corporal Bell!
Kiersti, I’m so excited to hear about your new book! And love the pictures of the fort. Sounds like you’ve even gotten Sandra interested in historicals. I also didn’t know there were toothbrushes then. My mother even told me they used to use rags and baking soda to brush their teeth in the “old” days. Looking forward to reading this new story!
Haha, the toothbrush seems to be popular! Thanks so much for your interest and for commenting, Marilyn. 🙂