By Velma Loomis
Arriving in Calpine (Sierra County) in 1926, my husband, Ralph, and I began sawmill life with our family. Ralph was never bored on the job because he was a “jack of all trades” and could work in most any man’s place.
Although there were tragic incidents, the happy memories far outweighed the rest. Ice-skating on the mill pond, sliding down the snowy hills in a home made toboggan, playing bridge, dancing till dawn to the strains of an accordion. Then there were the Italian families (Susanettos, Catuzzos, Marzin, Spatarotos, and Bertolinis) who would get their grapes in the Fall, and then make their wine which they generously shared throughout the town. Not even the deep winter snows stopped our fun.
Frank Blagen was the owner and manager of the sawmill. His son, Frank Blagen Jr., was a real prankster when he was only 7 or 8 years old. By the time “Frankie” was 11, he had come to own and drive a “bug” (originally a Model T Ford). Our son, Stan, who was younger than Frankie, often rode in the bug with him. To get back at this prankster, one Halloween a group got together and managed to get the bug perched up on top of the cookhouse, much to young Frank’s dismay the next morning.
During the many years Ralph and I lived in Calpine, White Pines, and Wilseyville, he helped dismantle all 3 of the sawmills in those towns. We’re very grateful for the happy times we and our four children enjoyed over the years.
i think people should plant a tree everytime we cut one down!!!
Excellent stories of past times and events. These are our roots and we should cherrish and foster them
To Danielle:
When we were in the loging buisness in the late 40’s and ear;y 50’s we planted seven trees for each one cut down.
Regarding planting trees…we were taught to respect and protect the forest and streams long before the word “enviorment” was famiar. “Clear cut logging” was never practiced in our area of Calif. as it is in Or. & WA. However, the underbrush was cleared out and burned safely, a job my Dad, Brown Dolley many times did, to make more light for the new trees to grow, and lessen the danger of forest fires. We had a Forest Service Lookout Station on Blue Mountain, they had a short wave radio to my Dad, who had built most all the logging roads, and secondary “fire roads” . The first location of smoke was radioed, and action began immediately. Summer posed a large problem what with lightning strikes, into the dry forest, dozens of fires could be started instantly.
Only two times in my childhood, a forest fire threatened White Pines, the worst, came over Reservoir Hill toward the Office (Moose Lodge now), the sky was completely darked with orange yeallow smoke and ashes rained down. A “fire trail” was kept constantly around the town to stop any fire that came our way.