Volume 048-1 - January 1994 (8 pages)

there were two lone trees, apparently oak trees. The first of these was burned during a grass fire in 1908, the second one toppled over in 1960, but apparently is still alive. The Lone Tree area was known for housing a school for several years. Apparently, there is still a school in the area. Gold was also mined there. A special chapter is devoted to people who lived in the area and whose land was taken over for the establishment of Camp Beale and to their style of living. Many of their descendants still live in the area. General Edward Fitzgerald Beale played a role in the early history of American California. He was one of the three who crossed Mexican lines to find relief for the forces of General Kearny after the ill-fated battle of San Pasqual. Later he crossed the continent several times to bring messages to Washington D.C. In 1852 he was appointed Commissioner of Indian Affairs in California, In this capacity, he was able to save the Indians from the slave labor, imposed on them by the Mexican population. He established five reservations for the Indians. Beale is perhaps best known for his efforts to introduce camels into the armed forces, an effort which ultimately failed. President Lincoln appointed him Surveyor General of California, a position which enabled him to acquire a large ranch, Rancho El Tejon. He spent the last years of his life in the diplomatic service. General Beale was never associated with the area of Camp Beale. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese in December 1941, the United States entered World War Two. Training ground for the Army was needed and the Marysville Chamber of Commerce solicited an army installation in our area, which was successful. No less than 86,000 acres were taken by eminent domain from some 150 persons. The camp was located between the communities of Linda, Smartville, Indian Springs and Wheatland. The owners were verbally promised that they could buy back their land for the same price they had received for it (but which they felt was too small), but this never was allowed. All civil structures, such as farm houses were demolished and large structures such as barracks and training facilities were built. Some of these still can be seen until today. The camp was 8 used by the 13th Armored Division from October 1942 until December 1943; thereafter several divisions trained at the camp. After the war, Camp Beale was placed on surplus status by the Department of the Anny. One interesting feature of Camp Beale is that part of the camp was occupied by German prisoners of war. Some 3000 lived there. A small number of them was engaged in work, relating to their own maintenance, but a large number of them was employed at farms in the vicinity for which they were paid 80 cents per day. There were recreational facilities, hobby shops, musical groups and a library. When the camp was declared surplus in 1947, many of the former owners. whose ancestors had lived on the land for several generations, hoped to be able to return to their land. However, the land was put on hold because the Bombardier-Navigation school needed a facility. The coming of the bombers was vigorously opposed by the Marysville City Council. When in 1949 the Department of the Air Force started organizing an Air Force Academy, these feelings changed. However, the Air Force Academy was located elsewhere and the area has since that time accommodated several military units, with the Strategic Air Command as the latest occupant. In 1959, some 40,000 acres of the area were put up for auction, but the bids were so high that the original owners did not have a chance. This book is the second edition of Mrs. Bal’s book. From a typographical point of view there is a great improvement, not only is the type font much better, but the illustrations are greatly improved. There are several maps in the book but, unfortunately I think, not enough of them. In several cases the reader who is unfamiliar with the topography of the area, will be stymied. The book is well written and apparently well researched. In many cases people, formerly or currently associated with the area were interviewed; this way valuable information was preserved. The Nevada County Historical Society must be congratulated for making this book, out of print for some ten years, available again. A must for a lover of local history. vdP. NEVADA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY The Board of the Society for 1994: President Bedford Lampkin First Vice President Jim Rose Second Vice President Anne Brooke Membership Secretary Bill Brooke Recording Secretary Frances Burton Executive Secretary Priscilla van der Pas Treasurer Barbara Weaver Past President Edwin Tyson Directors with terms ending 1996 Nevada City David and Louise Beesley Grass Valley Calvin Palmer County-at-large Ron Sturgell Directors with terms ending 1995 Nevada City Roman Rozynski Grass Valley Alan Aspey County-at-large David Comstock Directors with terms ending 1994 Nevada City Brita Rozynski Grass Valley George Foose County-at-large Connie Baer THE NCHS BULLETIN Administrative Office: Nevada County Historical Society P.O. Box 1300 Nevada City, CA 95959 Subscription Fee: $12.00 per year Editorial Office: Peter W. van der Pas, Pacific Library 212 Hill Street Grass Valley, CA 95945 LIBRARY AND MUSEUMS Searls Historical Library 214 Church Street, Nevada City (916) 265-5910 Open 1-4 pm except Sundays & holidays Firehouse Museum 214 Main Street, Nevada City Summer: 11 am to 4 pm daily Winter: call (916) 265-5468 North Star Mining Museum Allison Ranch Road, Grass Valley May 1 to Oct. 15: 10 am to 5 pm Winter: call (916) 273-4255 Video Museum and Theater Central Ave., Memorial Park, Grass Valley Summer: 11 am to 4 pm except Wednesday PUBLICATIONS NCHS Books P.O. Box 56, Cedar Ridge, CA 95924 (916) 273-6220 ( ( —

there were two lone trees, apparently oak trees. The first of these was burned during a grass fire in 1908, the second one toppled over in 1960, but apparently is still alive. The Lone Tree area was known for housing a school for several years. Apparently, there is still a school in the area. Gold was also mined there. A special chapter is devoted to people who lived in the area and whose land was taken over for the establishment of Camp Beale and to their style of living. Many of their descendants still live in the area. General Edward Fitzgerald Beale played a role in the early history of American California. He was one of the three who crossed Mexican lines to find relief for the forces of General Kearny after the ill-fated battle of San Pasqual. Later he crossed the continent several times to bring messages to Washington D.C. In 1852 he was appointed Commissioner of Indian Affairs in California, In this capacity, he was able to save the Indians from the slave labor, imposed on them by the Mexican population. He established five reservations for the Indians. Beale is perhaps best known for his efforts to introduce camels into the armed forces, an effort which ultimately failed. President Lincoln appointed him Surveyor General of California, a position which enabled him to acquire a large ranch, Rancho El Tejon. He spent the last years of his life in the diplomatic service. General Beale was never associated with the area of Camp Beale. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese in December 1941, the United States entered World War Two. Training ground for the Army was needed and the Marysville Chamber of Commerce solicited an army installation in our area, which was successful. No less than 86,000 acres were taken by eminent domain from some 150 persons. The camp was located between the communities of Linda, Smartville, Indian Springs and Wheatland. The owners were verbally promised that they could buy back their land for the same price they had received for it (but which they felt was too small), but this never was allowed. All civil structures, such as farm houses were demolished and large structures such as barracks and training facilities were built. Some of these still can be seen until today. The camp was 8 used by the 13th Armored Division from October 1942 until December 1943; thereafter several divisions trained at the camp. After the war, Camp Beale was placed on surplus status by the Department of the Anny. One interesting feature of Camp Beale is that part of the camp was occupied by German prisoners of war. Some 3000 lived there. A small number of them was engaged in work, relating to their own maintenance, but a large number of them was employed at farms in the vicinity for which they were paid 80 cents per day. There were recreational facilities, hobby shops, musical groups and a library. When the camp was declared surplus in 1947, many of the former owners. whose ancestors had lived on the land for several generations, hoped to be able to return to their land. However, the land was put on hold because the Bombardier-Navigation school needed a facility. The coming of the bombers was vigorously opposed by the Marysville City Council. When in 1949 the Department of the Air Force started organizing an Air Force Academy, these feelings changed. However, the Air Force Academy was located elsewhere and the

area has since that time accommodated several military units, with the Strategic Air Command as the latest occupant. In 1959, some 40,000 acres of the area were put up for auction, but the bids were so high that the original owners did not have a chance. This book is the second edition of Mrs. Bal’s book. From a typographical point of view there is a great improvement, not only is the type font much better, but the illustrations are greatly improved. There are several maps in the book but, unfortunately I think, not enough of them. In several cases the reader who is unfamiliar with the topography of the area, will be stymied. The book is well written and apparently well researched. In many cases people, formerly or currently associated with the area were interviewed; this way valuable information was preserved. The Nevada County Historical Society must be congratulated for making this book, out of print for some ten years, available again. A must for a lover of local history. vdP. NEVADA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY The Board of the Society for 1994: President Bedford Lampkin First Vice President Jim Rose Second Vice President Anne Brooke Membership Secretary Bill Brooke Recording Secretary Frances Burton Executive Secretary Priscilla van der Pas Treasurer Barbara Weaver Past President Edwin Tyson Directors with terms ending 1996 Nevada City David and Louise Beesley Grass Valley Calvin Palmer County-at-large Ron Sturgell Directors with terms ending 1995 Nevada City Roman Rozynski Grass Valley Alan Aspey County-at-large David Comstock Directors with terms ending 1994 Nevada City Brita Rozynski Grass Valley George Foose County-at-large Connie Baer THE NCHS BULLETIN Administrative Office: Nevada County Historical Society P.O. Box 1300 Nevada City, CA 95959 Subscription Fee: $12.00 per year Editorial Office: Peter W. van der Pas, Pacific Library 212 Hill Street Grass Valley, CA 95945 LIBRARY AND MUSEUMS Searls Historical Library 214 Church Street, Nevada City (916) 265-5910 Open 1-4 pm except Sundays & holidays Firehouse Museum 214 Main Street, Nevada City Summer: 11 am to 4 pm daily Winter: call (916) 265-5468 North Star Mining Museum Allison Ranch Road, Grass Valley May 1 to Oct. 15: 10 am to 5 pm Winter: call (916) 273-4255 Video Museum and Theater Central Ave., Memorial Park, Grass Valley Summer: 11 am to 4 pm except Wednesday PUBLICATIONS NCHS Books P.O. Box 56, Cedar Ridge, CA 95924 (916) 273-6220 ( ( —