Mrs. Mary Ashworth Phelan is seen above seated on the coach along with family members Elizabeth, Victoria and Joseph
Photo Credit: Ron Loya
Note: This article is one of a series celebrating Mariposa Memories and was originally published on October 5, 2010.
A Grandfathers Legacy
Article by Ron Loya
Mrs. Mary Ashworth Phelan, from Sahuarita Arizona recently visited the Mariposa Museum and History Center for a very special reason. Besides the fact that she wanted to show her family the many displays and artifacts from the place she once called home, it was one very special item that she wanted to see for herself. You see, it was Mary’s grandfather, Joel Breckinridge Ashworth, that built the famous horse drawn Cannonball Stage Coach in 1901.
The Cannonball, so called because it was the fastest passenger transportation from valley locations into Yosemite, has been restored to usable condition and resides in the Carriage House of the museum. While talking history with Ron Wilson, who has regularly taken the Cannonball over Chowchilla Mountain and into Wawona on the annual Mariposa County Pioneer Wagon Train run, Mary was asked if she would like to ride the Cannonball on its next historic trip into Yosemite next June, an invitation which she immediately accepted.
The original candlelight headlights, which can be seen in the picture, are in dire need of restoration and a fundraising campaign is in progress to return them to their original condition. Mary, who is seated on the coach along with family members Elizabeth, Victoria and Joseph, was so kind as to kick off the drive with a generous donation of her own.
