Greenwood, El Dorado County school and playground, 1953

Above is a Paul L. Henchey photograph taken in June 1953 that shows the old Greenwood schoolhouse, which is still standing today. You can find the location on the map at the bottom of the post.

When you hear from the elders about how dangerous and fun old playground equipment was, this is a prime example. The merry-go-round looks to be an advanced version of other merry-grounds that did not tip. With the conventional merry-go-round, kids would propel themselves using their feet to gain speed as the contraption spun around, throwing off those who couldn’t hold on!

This merry-go-round not only spins but seems to tilt, adding to the g-forces and making it even harder to hold on. You can zoom in on the photo to get a better view.

My question for those who remember this is, how was it propelled? Does it look like there may be a handle in the center used to tilt it or propel it? Was this powered by the kid’s feet like the non-tilting versions? You can see two children playing tetherball behind the merry-go-round. A lone dog stands at the entrance.

Map showing location and features. Click the map for a larger view.

The Yuba River, a historic transportation corridor

This particular spot along the Yuba River has been recorded over the years as transportation has changed. The river is a natural passage once one has passed the summit, headed west. The earliest course along this route were the native people, followed by the first emigrant train across the Sierra, The Stevens-Townsend- Murphy Party. Soon after, others followed this “Overland Emigrant Trail” to realize their dreams. The photo above, taken at the time the road was the Dutch-Flat Donner Summit Wagon Road (DFDLWR), between 1860 to 1870s.

Photo: Donner Summit Historical Society, Norm Sayler Collection.

The DFDLWR operated from 1861 to 1871, with no tolls collected after 1869. The road was less traveled once the Transcontinental Railroad was completed in 1869, as traveling by the railroad was much faster. Over the next 40 years, the three counties maintained the road, but maintenance was limited, as only local traffic used it.  

In 1913 the Lincoln Highway used the old road as part of its transcontinental route, with improvements were made so that automobiles could traverse over the mountains on the old wagon road. The above photo taken by TC Wohlbruck shows the road as the Lincoln Highway, sometime in the 1920s. 

Photo: Donner Summit Historical Society, Norm Sayler Collection.

In 1927 the Lincoln Highway became Highway 40, which in these parts closely followed the older Lincoln. Soon traffic became unbearable. A new highway was built, which is visible on the northern side of the river, opposite the older Lincoln Highway in the above color photograph. The old DFDLWR and Lincoln Highway were no longer maintained as traffic moved to the more modern thoroughfare.

Donner Summit Historical Society, Norm Sayler Collection.

Eventually, as traffic grew Highway 40, it was plagued by crowded roads, such as we see in the above photograph. In 1956 Interstate 80 was the solution! We can see one of the Interstate’s bridges being built in the photograph with the right side of the bridge passing over the older Lincoln Highway.

Map of the location.

The Hogsback Mine near Foresthill

The Hogsback Mine on the Foresthill Divide was owned by the French “Compagnie des Mines d'Or du Forest Hill Divide," with headquarters, Paris, France. The following is from the Placer County Historical Society, “the regular force of men employed consists of 15 miners working 8 hours per day; 2 engineers, working 12 hours per day; 2 drivers, working 12 hours per day; two blacksmiths, working 10 hours per day; one timberman, working 10 hours per day, divided into three shifts, and working two 3 ½ -inch Ingersoll Eclipse drills on columns”.

This mine commenced work on April, 28th, 1888. here we read more from the Placer County Historical Society paper, “PROGRESS FOR A WFEK 48.7 FEET. 12 men, 7 days (84 days), at $3 $252.00 3 men, 7 days (21 days). at $3.25 68.25 1 man, 7 days (7 days), at $3.50 24.50 114 lbs. safety niter powder No. 2, at 13c. per lb. 20 52 350 feet triple taped fuse, at 72 c. per 100 feet 2 52 50 lbs. chemical wax candles, 14 oz , at 13c. per lb 6 62 2 boxes XXX blasting caps, at 80c. per box 1.60 224 feet lumber, at $22.50 per M 5.04 1040 lbs. steel rails (16 lb) (195 ft.) at 4c. per lb.. 41.80 Bolts and fish-plates, at 50e, per pair 4.00 Car oil .15 40 bushels charcoal, at 20e. per bushel 8.00 Wear and tear, etc 1.00 Total cost $435.80 Cost per foot $8.94 Not a timber was used in this ground, and it is still standing without any.”

Google Earth view of the mine and surrounding topography.

Otwell Grocery Store along the Lincoln Highway.

Otwell Grocery Store on Riverside Avenue and 4th Street, Roseville, California. This was the first business to operate on Riverside Avenue. The photo dates from 1914 to 1918.

Image: Placer County Museums

Here is a closer view showing that the store carried, Liberty Ice Cream, Wrigley’s Gum, Star Tobacco, and at far right Pioneer Bread.

Image: Placer County Museums

Lincoln Highway 106 years old today!

October 31, 1913, 106 years ago today, the Lincoln Highway was formally dedicated. It was America’s first transcontinental highway, stitching together a single route across the country from hundreds of local roads. Before the Lincoln Highway, if you wanted to cross the US, you were on your own. Now, with this new highway, you could follow the red, white and blue, signs with the big “L” from Times Square in New York to the Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco.

Looks like these guys had to dig the hole!

Eventually, the Lincoln Highway was replaced with a numbered highway system in 1926, with Highway 30 covering much of the route, and other number highways, like 50 and 40, replacing it in California. The Lincoln Highway Association, which was created to promote the idea of the road, now performed its final act on September 1st, 1928. Boy Scouts across the nation erected 2,400 concrete markers at sites along the route to officially mark and dedicate it to the memory of Abraham Lincoln. At the same time, 4000 metal signs were placed to guide the motorist.

A replica marker at Donner Summit.

“These markers were placed on the outer edge of the right of way at major and minor crossroads, and at reassuring intervals along with uninterrupted segments. Each particular post carried the Lincoln Highway insignia and directional arrow, as well as a bronze medallion with Lincoln's bust stating, 'This Highway Dedicated to Abraham Lincoln.'"

Truckee 1919 and The Lincoln Highway "L"

I spent the day at the fabulous Donner Summit Historical Society Museum in Soda Springs. Once again, Norm Sayler, curator of the museum, shared some of his knowledge and rare photographs.

This photo shows Truckee, California in September of 1919. We see a couple of cars on the left next to a gas station, with Red Crown gas advertised. What caught our eye, however, is the large Lincoln Highway "L" that is standing next to the gas station. There appear to be either arrows or wording at the top and bottom of the sign, but we can't make out what it says.

Eisenhower and Army convoy leave Washington DC headed to San Francisco

It was on July 7th, 1919 that The Army's Motor Transport Corps convoy left Washington DC headed towards San Francisco. The trip was to see if the military could move men and machines across the country using the recently "completed" Lincoln Highway as the route. They almost didn't make it, arriving in Oakland seven day's behind schedule.

The convoy included, "24 expeditionary officers, 15 War Department staff observation officers, including a young, Bvt Lt Col Dwight D. Eisenhower of the Tank Corps, and 258 enlisted men." The experience Eisenhower had on the trip helped formulate his plan as President for an Interstate Highway System, still in place today.

The National Archives has a video of some of the trip. It's fascinating to watch, and at the 18:47 mark we start to see the mountains of Nevada and California, and the climb up Meyers Grade, across the summit, and down into Kyburz at the 21:45 mark.

Trademarks of early California

California was the first state in the union to offer trademark protection, seven years before the federal government started! California began registering certain container brands in 1861, but trademark registration for all types of products began in 1863.

What’s fun about these old trademarks is how the promoted their brand. Here we see a trademark for “California Portable Lemonade" or “Sugar of Lemons”. We assume that when this product was trademarked in 1869 the idea of “portable lemonade” was a novel one. It’s basically just powdered lemon mixed with sugar, that when added to water make “lemonade”.

Besides the actual trademark filed, letters describing the item and fees paid, which apparently was done with a stamp to the tune of 5 cents.

With most all the trademark requests a formalized letter, such as the one above was included. “Know all men by these presents that we, Schroder Albrecht & Co. under an by virtue….” The language, and handwriting take us back to a time when neat handwriting was vital in getting your point accross.

There is often another part to the label, and here we see Schroder and Albrecht showing how, “the above two labels are (?) and secured around the box containing the California Portable Lemonade…” The label above tells us “The article is manufactured from the best white sugar and purified lemon juice and will retain it’s freshness in any climate.” The product was manufactured at 113 K Street, Sacramento.

Here is a view on Google Maps showing the location of “The Portable Lemonade Company” at 115 K Street. It was located in “Old Town Sacramento” right next to the present Evangeline’s Costumes.

Most all the trademark applications include a Notary Public seal, and signature.

The application includes another view of the “back side” of the label.

In ending their application for trademark the Portable Lemonade Co. they included these “directions” and a picture of a train in the mountains. I assume this was to show the “portable” nature of the product?

Trademarks from: California Secretary of State's Office, “Old Series Trademark No. 0147,” California State Archives Exhibits, accessed October 13, 2018, http://exhibits.sos.ca.gov/items/show/147.