Enter a name, company, place or keywords to search across this item. Then click "Search" (or hit Enter).
Volume 078-1 - January 2024 (6 pages)
Go to the Archive Home
Go to Thumbnail View of this Item
Go to Single Page View of this Item
Download the Page Image
Copy the Page Text to the Clipboard
Don't highlight the search terms on the Image
Show the Page Image
Show the Image Page Text
Reset View and Center Image
Zoom Out
Zoom In
Rotate Left
Rotate Right
Toggle Full Page View
Flip Image Horizontally
More Information About this Image
Get a Citation for Page or Image - Copy to the Clipboard
Go to the Previous Page (or Left Arrow key)
Go to the Next Page (or Right Arrow key)
Page: of 6
NCHS Bulletin January 2024
remaining Kneebone ranches and other Spenceville is the town of Spenceville, renamed “Spenceburg” by
properties. On July 18,1942, ownership was transthe army and used for war games. Nothing remains of
ferred to the United States." the town except a few stone fences and foundations.
By October of The Kneebone
1942 the Army Ranch and CemTank Traps ; Kneebone Ranch
3 é and Cemetery
had opened the
Camp and moved
in. As time would
tell, the government did not keep
etery Historic
Site 1s located
one and onehalf miles east
of the old town
Bunkers
its promise to of Spenceville.
allow the ranchers The trail to Beale
to buy back their Falls (known as
lands at the origFairy Falls prior
inal prices. Most to World War
of the pioneer
ranchers could not
II)? shown at the
junction of Spenafford to buy their Arrastra a ceville Road is
property back Far West Road . “oN one of the main
when a smaller Map of Kneebone Ranch & cemetery and trail to Beal Falls, Courtesy of the Nevada County attractions at
portion of what Historical Society. the Spenceville
was taken was Wildlife Area.
finally put up for auction in December of 1959. The If the visitor continues straight ahead going past the
land went to the highest bidders forcing out the ranchwhite metal gate, instead of turning right to the Beale
ers who could little afford the price. Falls, it is only a short distance to the Kneebone
historic site. The Kneebone Ranch is in close prox1mately to the Beale Falls trail junction, an additional
opportunity for the visiting public to enjoy.
The homes and ranches of Spenceville were used to
train troops during World War I, and without exception, they were destroyed in the process. One example
Conclusion
Joseph Kneebone and his family’s legacy is not well known in Nevada County. Their story however has had an
impact on our county’s past and deserves to be told. During the last two years, I have been working on obtaining
a Nevada County Historical Landmarks designation for the “Kneebone Ranch & Cemetery” at Spenceville by
seeking approval from the property owner, the Department of California Fish and Wildlife. The Commission is
hopeful that permission to allow designation by the state will be approved.
The Kneebone family and the Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission are looking forward to a formal designation ceremony this coming spring, at which time the Kneebone family is planning to have a plaque
placed at the Kneebone Ranch at Spenceville acknowledging their family’s legacy. The plaque will be funded
by the descendants of Joseph Kneebone and Mary Reed Kneebone, and with oversight of the Commission and
in cooperation with the State of California, Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Chuck Scimeca has lived in Nevada County since 1994. Chuck worked as a California State Park Ranger for
more than 30 years, including at Bridgeport. Throughout his career Chuck worked with volunteers, rangers and
the public to better understand California history. He currently serves as a Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commissioner for District 4. The author thanks Kneebone family members Karen Hill and Terry Kneebone for their assistance with this article.