The Big Raisin The Big Raisin was an arts newspaper that documented the Valley arts scene in the late ‘70s. Wry commentary was offered by editor and publisher Nancy Miller in print and on the air. If I remember correctly, Ms. Miller also had an on-the-air radio feature called “I Lost it in the Figs.” (“The Figs” used to be seemingly endless acres of fig orchards in north-west Fresno, somewhat akin to “the boondocks,” where youths were reputedly wont to go to neck and fool around.) For about a year and a half, my contribution to the paper was Doug Hansen Looks at the Big Rasin. This series of cartoon vignettes of funky-cool Fresno landmarks is a stylistic continuation of the Seven Wonders of Fresno, but it also shows my affection for all things quirky in Fresno. I didn’t begin drawing Fresno Sketchbook for the Bee until at least a decade later, and it saddens me to think of the opportunities I missed during those years to document Fresno’s vanishing cityscape. Later, I revisited a few of these places, redrawing and researching them for Fresno Sketchbook. The titles with an asterisk* means that the building in the picture no longer exists.

The Big Raisin The Big Raisin was an arts newspaper that documented the Valley arts scene in the late ‘70s. Wry commentary was offered by editor and publisher Nancy Miller in print and on the air. If I remember correctly, Ms. Miller also had an on-the-air radio feature called “I Lost it in the Figs.” (“The Figs” used to be seemingly endless acres of fig orchards in north-west Fresno, somewhat akin to “the boondocks,” where youths were reputedly wont to go to neck and fool around.) For about a year and a half, my contribution to the paper was Doug Hansen Looks at the Big Rasin. This series of cartoon vignettes of funky-cool Fresno landmarks is a stylistic continuation of the Seven Wonders of Fresno, but it also shows my affection for all things quirky in Fresno. I didn’t begin drawing Fresno Sketchbook for the Bee until at least a decade later, and it saddens me to think of the opportunities I missed during those years to document Fresno’s vanishing cityscape. Later, I revisited a few of these places, redrawing and researching them for Fresno Sketchbook. The titles with an asterisk* means that the building in the picture no longer exists. http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html The Big Raisin The Big Raisin was an arts newspaper that documented the Valley arts scene in the late ‘70s. Wry commentary was offered by editor and publisher Nancy Miller in print and on the air. If I remember correctly, Ms. Miller also had an on-the-air radio feature called “I Lost it in the Figs.” (“The Figs” used to be seemingly endless acres of fig orchards in north-west Fresno, somewhat akin to “the boondocks,” where youths were reputedly wont to go to neck and fool around.) For about a year and a half, my contribution to the paper was Doug Hansen Looks at the Big Rasin. This series of cartoon vignettes of funky-cool Fresno landmarks is a stylistic continuation of the Seven Wonders of Fresno, but it also shows my affection for all things quirky in Fresno. I didn’t begin drawing Fresno Sketchbook for the Bee until at least a decade later, and it saddens me to think of the opportunities I missed during those years to document Fresno’s vanishing cityscape. Later, I revisited a few of these places, redrawing and researching them for Fresno Sketchbook. The titles with an asterisk* means that the building in the picture no longer exists. Bud-n-Lil's* Many of my drawings document cool metal and neon signs. http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html#0 57fcb0b6-9239-4761-b5ba-3a004f17524d http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Bud-n-Lil%27s-1977.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Bud-n-Lil%27s-1977.jpg?derivative=micro

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<div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_0_0"><div class="style_7"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Bud-n-Lil's*<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">Many of my drawings document cool metal and neon signs.</p></div></div> Fresno Airport It was a make-out destination. Imagine parking at an airport now! http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html#1 33a65919-7518-489a-a328-5908684055aa http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Fresno-Airport-1977.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Fresno-Airport-1977.jpg?derivative=micro

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<div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_0_0"><div class="style_7"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Fresno Airport<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">It was a make-out destination. Imagine parking at an airport now!</p></div></div> Lazy PalmTree* Building later destroyed in a fire. http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html#2 6325d7ca-d31a-427e-a1d9-0050c0248658 http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Lazy-palm-Tree-1977.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Lazy-palm-Tree-1977.jpg?derivative=micro

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<div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_0_0"><div class="style_7"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Lazy PalmTree*<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">Building later destroyed in a fire.</p></div></div> Blackstone Meets Abbey This was the tag line for a local radio ad I’ve forgotten. http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html#3 d4fe7a33-08e6-4c69-9e06-bc7bc160e600 http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Blackstone-meets-Abbey-19.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Blackstone-meets-Abbey-19.jpg?derivative=micro

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<div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_0_0"><div class="style_7"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Blackstone Meets Abbey<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">This was the tag line for a local radio ad I’ve forgotten.</p></div></div> BZB Market* I used to shop here occasionally. http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html#4 5ffb2a3a-9e61-43fc-819c-497687f36792 http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/BZB%20Market%201977.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/BZB%20Market%201977.jpg?derivative=micro

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<div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_0_0"><div class="style_7"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_4">BZB Market*<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">I used to shop here occasionally.</p></div></div> Oberti Billboard* My playful homage to legendary local pitch man, Al Radka. http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html#5 81bc6cf2-108b-417a-b709-def95d15d8eb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Oberti-Billboard-1977.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Oberti-Billboard-1977.jpg?derivative=micro

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<div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_0_0"><div class="style_7"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Oberti Billboard*<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">My playful homage to legendary local pitch man, Al Radka.</p></div></div> Back of the Meux Home The Meux Home is a popular subject for Fresno artists. http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html#6 df41fbe0-2582-4bb0-a35f-026b267b4d86 http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Back-of-Meux-Home-1977.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Back-of-Meux-Home-1977.jpg?derivative=micro

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<div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_0_0"><div class="style_7"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Back of the Meux Home<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">The Meux Home is a popular subject for Fresno artists.</p></div></div> Angelina Frega's Garden* She was like a character from a European Fairy Tale. http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html#7 52c0cf98-3327-4793-889b-eace8b2396cc http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Angelina-frega%27s-Garden-1.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Angelina-frega%27s-Garden-1.jpg?derivative=micro

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<div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_0_0"><div class="style_7"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_4">Angelina Frega's Garden*<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">She was like a character from a European Fairy Tale.</p></div></div> Mars Drive-In* I made a mistake about the name of Visalia’s famous Mearles Drive-In. http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html#8 4d35d36a-9709-421f-b31a-ad02a63d6d84 http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Mars-Drive-In-1977.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Mars-Drive-In-1977.jpg?derivative=micro

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<div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_0_0"><div class="style_7"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Mars Drive-In*<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">I made a mistake about the name of Visalia’s famous Mearles Drive-In.</p></div></div> Zacky Farms Don’t you love the frost-covered “ZERO” letters? http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html#9 07d6d663-91f0-4011-b593-1052f825af48 http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Zacky-Farms-1979.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Zacky-Farms-1979.jpg?derivative=micro

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<div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_0_0"><div class="style_7"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_5"><span class="style_8">Zacky Farms</span><br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">Don’t you love the frost-covered “ZERO” letters?</p></div></div> Sussex Home Just the kind of tranquil, rural scene that I love. http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html#10 11ca59b2-5fe2-45cc-ac34-289d8b5bc4a8 http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Sussex-Home-1978.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Sussex-Home-1978.jpg?derivative=micro

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<div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_0_0"><div class="style_7"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Sussex Home<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">Just the kind of tranquil, rural scene that I love.</p></div></div> Old St. Agnes There is a new St. Agnes Hospital at the north end of town. http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html#11 8a359a06-6162-4670-bd28-4466b661babb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Old-St.-Agnes-1977.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Old-St.-Agnes-1977.jpg?derivative=micro

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<div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_0_0"><div class="style_7"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Old St. Agnes<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">There is a new St. Agnes Hospital at the north end of town.</p></div></div> First Christian Church* This had a complex octagonal structure. http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html#12 8352d246-95a5-42b4-8d04-becf4ec32962 http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-First-Christian-Church-19.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-First-Christian-Church-19.jpg?derivative=micro

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<div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_0_0"><div class="style_7"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2"> First Christian Church*<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">This had a complex octagonal structure.</p></div></div> Uncle Tom's Cabin* Another cool sign. Neon smoke from the cabin! http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html#13 880b5010-2028-4037-83e7-ba1f8dafd9f5 http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Uncle-Tom%27s-Cabin-1978.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Uncle-Tom%27s-Cabin-1978.jpg?derivative=micro

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<div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_0_0"><div class="style_7"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Uncle Tom's Cabin*<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">Another cool sign. Neon smoke from the cabin!</p></div></div> Tall Palm Last time I checked, the tall palm tree was still there. http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html#14 758bc2ba-2384-49e7-bacb-5c7746228b6f http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Tall-Palm-1977.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Tall-Palm-1977.jpg?derivative=micro

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<div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_0_0"><div class="style_7"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Tall Palm<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">Last time I checked, the tall palm tree was still there.</p></div></div> Bulldog Do-nut Shop* It was he hyphenation of D0-NUT that cracked me up. http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html#15 fad4bd52-e429-409e-91fb-7a563d893a51 http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Bulldog-Do-nut-shop-1978.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Bulldog-Do-nut-shop-1978.jpg?derivative=micro

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<div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_0_0"><div class="style_7"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Bulldog Do-nut Shop*<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">It was he hyphenation of D0-NUT that cracked me up.</p></div></div> Stone Signposts This was a poke at a popular book called “Ancient Astronauts.” http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html#16 907730f8-00c2-4aae-bf54-8f95d9d56e63 http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Stone-Signposts-1978.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Stone-Signposts-1978.jpg?derivative=micro

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<div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_0_0"><div class="style_7"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Stone Signposts<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">This was a poke at a popular book called “Ancient Astronauts.”</p></div></div> Fritz Krieg* I think this was the salvaged remains of a sawmill. http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html#17 831ebc5b-3b15-4318-889e-0ee58484b66f http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Fritz-Krieg-1978.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Fritz-Krieg-1978.jpg?derivative=micro

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<div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_0_0"><div class="style_7"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Fritz Krieg*<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">I think this was the salvaged remains of a sawmill. </p></div></div> AIr Raid Sirens I drew these for fresno Sketchbook too. http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html#18 6648de68-a4f9-47c0-919d-a8bbe28b971f http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-AIr-Raid-Sirens-1978.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-AIr-Raid-Sirens-1978.jpg?derivative=micro

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<div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_0_0"><div class="style_7"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_4">AIr Raid Sirens<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">I drew these for fresno Sketchbook too.</p></div></div> Jensen and Pilegard Something I’d see on my way to work at Dumont Printing. http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html#19 ae3e7c49-0dc3-4ef3-8e72-8d8832fae838 http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Jensen-%26-Pilegard-1978.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Jensen-%26-Pilegard-1978.jpg?derivative=micro

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<div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_0_0"><div class="style_7"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Jensen and Pilegard<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">Something I’d see on my way to work at Dumont Printing.</p></div></div> Lafayette School* I found out later the school wasn’t torn down, but relocated. http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin.html#20 ff1db855-a50f-4bf0-9119-799b18d91547 http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Lafayette-School-1978.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.doughansenart.com/Site/Fresno/Pages/Big_Raisin_files/Media/W-Lafayette-School-1978.jpg?derivative=micro

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<div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_0_0"><div class="style_7"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Lafayette School*<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">I found out later the school wasn’t torn down, but relocated.</p></div></div>