Caleb Greenwood went into the wilderness west of the Mississippi River three years after the return of Lewis and Clark and died during the California Gold Rush. He is a human metaphor for the opening of the West and a buckskin colossus, even among mountain men. He knew everyone and did everything, and then he lied and bragged about his accomplishments. Yet most people, even Western history buffs, have never heard of him. This mountaineer, trail-blazer, and guide is a murky figure to historians, but if even half the legends about him are true, his life rivals the fantastic legends he invented.
Frank Mullen Bio:
Frank lives in Reno with his wife Susan, a newspaper feature writer. He holds a master’s degree in environmental journalism/new media from the University of Nevada and is currently writing novels and completing a book on the history of the Truckee River. He is available for freelance journalism assignments, collateral writing for Web and print, Nevada history lectures, and Chautauqua/living-history performances.
The monthly Sierra Speaker Series connects folks to the rich cultural and natural history of the area. Join us on July 16th at Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center to learn and engage! Doors open at 5 pm, and the presentation is to follow at 5:30 pm. Admission is a suggested $5 donation. Light refreshments will be available. Parking is free after 5 pm.
