The annual Harmony Grove Homecoming will be held at the historic Harmony Grove Church in Lockeford on Saturday, May 18 at 11 a.m.

The church is at 11455 E. Locke Road in Lockeford.

Authors Salvatore Manna and Shannon Van Zant will present “Brands of Calaveras County 1881-1913.” Refreshments and book signing will follow. Gary Gordon, president of the Harmony Grove Church Advisory Committee, will preside.

Brands of Calaveras County - Livestock brands are touchstones that help bring the history of rural America to life. Two recent books, “Brands of Calaveras County, California 1854-1880” and “1881-1913,” bring together nearly 500 local brands, telling the story of the men, women and families who made their mark on the land – of heritage and emigration, births and deaths, marriages and children, success and failure. Many prominent San Joaquin families are included, Jack Tone among them, as well as several buried at Harmony Grove, such as Eddlemon, Elliott, Franklin, Lyons, Pope, Wells, Westfall and Worth. The books will be available for purchase for $20 each and can be autographed by the authors.

Mr. Manna has written several books on area history including “Olives in California’s Gold Country.” Ms. Van Zant, who teaches history at San Joaquin Delta College and Columbia College, is a Calaveras County archivist.

Established in 1859, the church is part of the San Joaquin County Park System and is operated as a public facility. It was restored in 1973 through the joint efforts of the County, residents of the Lockeford area and relatives of pioneers.

The annual Homecoming celebrates the church’s history through remembrances, music and reunions of pioneer family descendants.

For more information on the Harmony Grove Homecoming, call 209-727-5154.