In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s northern California saw a lot of small towns appeared because the lumber industry thriving. Homes were being built. Wood was needed from the studs in the walls to the chairs in the dining room.
Like everything else, things change. Japanese were parking giant floating sawmills off our shores. Metal stud framing in buildings replaced wood. South American lumber was coming north to further hurt the American lumber industry.
Tree weren’t growing fast enough to keep up with the demand. Small towns in the high Sierra Mountains depended upon the lumber industry. Major sawmills were either downsizing or closing. People had move away for work to support their families. Many towns folk were seeing their small towns being forced into a Ghost Town status.
One such town was where I grew up. After my eighteenth birthday, I would visit it on an infrequent occasion, Over the years I keep track as of the town and its events through Facebook and various websites. The little towns name is Loyalton, California. One writer in recent years titled it “The Loneliest Town in America”. That was not what I remembered growing up.
I remembered a busy little town of around a thousand people. I remembered the sawmill running two shifts. I remember logging trucks driving through down every half hour delivering logs to the mill. Local football and basketball games brought families and towns together. The people were not rich, but they had a good life.
I remember a 4th of July parade and BBQ for the whole town. I remember on Sunday sneaking in the sawmill and planning mill to see what we could see.
Right before the pandemic caused a massive lock-down, my brother moved away from Loyalton to another small community near Las Vegas. I felt like I had lost my connection to Loyalton where I spent most of my younger years. My hopes is to take my youngest daughter back there and let her see the beauty of the small sawmill where I grew up.
In closing, my wish is for those who read this article remember where you grew up. Remember those beautiful things that make you smile when you think about them.
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