Rogers, E. B.

E. B. Rogers was a talented mining engineer and pioneer rancher who made a significant impact on Fresno County, California, after settling there in 1882. Born in Troy, New York, he studied mining engineering at the Troy Polytechnic and spent years working in his profession across a territory stretching from Canada to Central America, as well as in New York City. Seeking to establish a permanent home, he purchased land from M. Theo. Kearney in 1883 in the heart of the Easterby Colony. Alongside his brother-in-law, M. T. Sickal, he developed the famous 320-acre Margherita Vineyard, named after his beloved niece, Margherita. He even planted a spectacular mile-long row of palms that became known globally as the Margherita Palm Drive.

Throughout his life, Mr. Rogers balanced his agricultural pursuits with his passion for mining engineering, maintaining a professional office in San Francisco and temporarily residing in Goldfield during a mining boom. He and his wife dedicated immense effort to beautifying their estate, even importing rare stone pine seeds from Rome through the assistance of the Bureau of Agriculture and the University of California. Following the 1906 San Francisco fire, the couple resided permanently on their ranch and actively contributed to the development of the surrounding county. After his passing on December 23, 1912, his widow successfully assumed management of the vineyard. She conscientiously maintained their shared plans to keep the historic property as one of the most beautiful private places in the valley.