Age 85.
Mother's Maiden Name: Parker
Ernest E. "Ernie" Durham was a longtime Columbia resident and one of the founders of the Tuolumne County Motion Picture Association. He passed away in a Sonora hospital at the age of 85.
In 1921, Mr. Durham moved to Modesto, California, and in 1927, he opened The Man's Shop there.
In 1934, he moved to Sonora, where he opened Sierra Photo Studio in the former Macomber Cider Works building across from Sonora High School.
His extensive interest in history included photographing the operating gold mines in the Sierra foothills from Mariposa to Jackson.
His entry into the motion picture industry was made by taking still photos of movie sets when production companies were in the Tuolumne County area. After awhile, he put down his camera to devote his time to the movie industry.
His first job in the movie industry was a driver for the company of "The County Chairman", staring Will Rogers. The driver's job, which he continued for many years, was parlayed into his work as a location manager for visiting film and television companies, including making arrangements with landowners.
He drove many stars including Jeanette Mc Donald, Claudette Colbert and Michael Landon. His most famous vehicle used to transport the stars was a black 1964 Cadillac.
In 1939, Mrs. Durham assisted in the creation of Tuolumne County's motion picture association with Irving Symons, Henry Ruoff, Harry LePape, Gus DAmbacher, Frank Kurzi, George Williams, Bill Wennenson, George Stolp, Art Hender and Charles Segerstrom, Jr.
After World War II, Mr. Durham opened a new Sierra Studio and gift shop in Sonora and also worked for Bob Patton at the Walter Preddy theaters in Angels Camp, San Andreas and Sonora.
Mr. Durham was involved in the movie business for 60 years. He was recognized as the county's foremost expert on film production, and he had written several plays and scenarios.
He designed and built his Columbia home and was involved in the construction of a movie set near Jamestown where many Westerns were filmed. The site was known as Durhamville.
Mother's Maiden Name: Parker
Ernest E. "Ernie" Durham was a longtime Columbia resident and one of the founders of the Tuolumne County Motion Picture Association. He passed away in a Sonora hospital at the age of 85.
In 1921, Mr. Durham moved to Modesto, California, and in 1927, he opened The Man's Shop there.
In 1934, he moved to Sonora, where he opened Sierra Photo Studio in the former Macomber Cider Works building across from Sonora High School.
His extensive interest in history included photographing the operating gold mines in the Sierra foothills from Mariposa to Jackson.
His entry into the motion picture industry was made by taking still photos of movie sets when production companies were in the Tuolumne County area. After awhile, he put down his camera to devote his time to the movie industry.
His first job in the movie industry was a driver for the company of "The County Chairman", staring Will Rogers. The driver's job, which he continued for many years, was parlayed into his work as a location manager for visiting film and television companies, including making arrangements with landowners.
He drove many stars including Jeanette Mc Donald, Claudette Colbert and Michael Landon. His most famous vehicle used to transport the stars was a black 1964 Cadillac.
In 1939, Mrs. Durham assisted in the creation of Tuolumne County's motion picture association with Irving Symons, Henry Ruoff, Harry LePape, Gus DAmbacher, Frank Kurzi, George Williams, Bill Wennenson, George Stolp, Art Hender and Charles Segerstrom, Jr.
After World War II, Mr. Durham opened a new Sierra Studio and gift shop in Sonora and also worked for Bob Patton at the Walter Preddy theaters in Angels Camp, San Andreas and Sonora.
Mr. Durham was involved in the movie business for 60 years. He was recognized as the county's foremost expert on film production, and he had written several plays and scenarios.
He designed and built his Columbia home and was involved in the construction of a movie set near Jamestown where many Westerns were filmed. The site was known as Durhamville.
Age 85.
Mother's Maiden Name: Parker
Ernest E. "Ernie" Durham was a longtime Columbia resident and one of the founders of the Tuolumne County Motion Picture Association. He passed away in a Sonora hospital at the age of 85.
In 1921, Mr. Durham moved to Modesto, California, and in 1927, he opened The Man's Shop there.
In 1934, he moved to Sonora, where he opened Sierra Photo Studio in the former Macomber Cider Works building across from Sonora High School.
His extensive interest in history included photographing the operating gold mines in the Sierra foothills from Mariposa to Jackson.
His entry into the motion picture industry was made by taking still photos of movie sets when production companies were in the Tuolumne County area. After awhile, he put down his camera to devote his time to the movie industry.
His first job in the movie industry was a driver for the company of "The County Chairman", staring Will Rogers. The driver's job, which he continued for many years, was parlayed into his work as a location manager for visiting film and television companies, including making arrangements with landowners.
He drove many stars including Jeanette Mc Donald, Claudette Colbert and Michael Landon. His most famous vehicle used to transport the stars was a black 1964 Cadillac.
In 1939, Mrs. Durham assisted in the creation of Tuolumne County's motion picture association with Irving Symons, Henry Ruoff, Harry LePape, Gus DAmbacher, Frank Kurzi, George Williams, Bill Wennenson, George Stolp, Art Hender and Charles Segerstrom, Jr.
After World War II, Mr. Durham opened a new Sierra Studio and gift shop in Sonora and also worked for Bob Patton at the Walter Preddy theaters in Angels Camp, San Andreas and Sonora.
Mr. Durham was involved in the movie business for 60 years. He was recognized as the county's foremost expert on film production, and he had written several plays and scenarios.
He designed and built his Columbia home and was involved in the construction of a movie set near Jamestown where many Westerns were filmed. The site was known as Durhamville.
Mother's Maiden Name: Parker
Ernest E. "Ernie" Durham was a longtime Columbia resident and one of the founders of the Tuolumne County Motion Picture Association. He passed away in a Sonora hospital at the age of 85.
In 1921, Mr. Durham moved to Modesto, California, and in 1927, he opened The Man's Shop there.
In 1934, he moved to Sonora, where he opened Sierra Photo Studio in the former Macomber Cider Works building across from Sonora High School.
His extensive interest in history included photographing the operating gold mines in the Sierra foothills from Mariposa to Jackson.
His entry into the motion picture industry was made by taking still photos of movie sets when production companies were in the Tuolumne County area. After awhile, he put down his camera to devote his time to the movie industry.
His first job in the movie industry was a driver for the company of "The County Chairman", staring Will Rogers. The driver's job, which he continued for many years, was parlayed into his work as a location manager for visiting film and television companies, including making arrangements with landowners.
He drove many stars including Jeanette Mc Donald, Claudette Colbert and Michael Landon. His most famous vehicle used to transport the stars was a black 1964 Cadillac.
In 1939, Mrs. Durham assisted in the creation of Tuolumne County's motion picture association with Irving Symons, Henry Ruoff, Harry LePape, Gus DAmbacher, Frank Kurzi, George Williams, Bill Wennenson, George Stolp, Art Hender and Charles Segerstrom, Jr.
After World War II, Mr. Durham opened a new Sierra Studio and gift shop in Sonora and also worked for Bob Patton at the Walter Preddy theaters in Angels Camp, San Andreas and Sonora.
Mr. Durham was involved in the movie business for 60 years. He was recognized as the county's foremost expert on film production, and he had written several plays and scenarios.
He designed and built his Columbia home and was involved in the construction of a movie set near Jamestown where many Westerns were filmed. The site was known as Durhamville.
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