Welcome to Washington, California 95986
PAGE 3
10/17/2007
THE TOWN OF WASHINGTON, CA.. A TOUR Page 1
THE TOWN OF WASHINGTON, CA.. A TOUR Page 2
This is Washington School, as viewed from HOME PLATE on the ball field.
It was really something when you could hit the ball and it went over the top of the roof. Note the screens on the windows which were in the line of fire. If the ball went over the roof it was either an automatic out, or a home run depending on which team was winning and which side the biggest kid was on. Very democratic! Click on the link below for a look inside.
The KEY to the school building for a look inside
WASHINGTON SCHOOL CLASS OF 1964
Picture provided by: Linda McLeod
This is the Washington School, Class of '64
Mrs. Hornsby "TEACHER", Sandra Merchant, Linda McLeod, Pat McLeod, Rosie Mathews, Mike Burk, John Collier
Kathy Williams, Keith Schurman, Susan Merchant, Verlin Schurman, Alice Emmons, Brenda Burk, Neil Schurman,
Roger McCrail, Raymond Emmons, Ina Merchant, Debby Williams, Claudette Turner
Jerry Turner, Jimmy Schurman
WASHINGTON SCHOOL CLASS OF 1925
Picture provided by Vella Munn, Thank You Vella!
Vells's Grandmother is the Teacher pictured here, Her mother, 2nd on the right, returned in Jan 1952- June 1954 to teach at Washington,
Mrs, Bonnie Jones.
Washington School Clas of 1971
The Class
Back Row: Sandy Yocum, May Loose, Kathy Moyer, Lonnie Ratti, Tina Piland, David Hatch, UNKNOWN
Middle Row: Holly Yocum, Clay Moyer, Karen Moyer,UNKNOWN Tracy Yocum, Ted Piland, Kelly Moyer Unknown
Front Row: Unknown, Unknown, Carl Ohrum, Unknown, Unknown
Picture Provided by David Hatch, Thanks David
David's note on living in Washingtom, by permission:
Pat,
I moved to Washington from Nevada City on November 11, 1969 while in the 7th grade and was there until I moved to Grass Valley sometime during the 10th grade.
While in Washington I lived in 2 houses at the old Mill. I have so many good memories I could write a book.
Here are a few.
Running the river bounding from rock to rock (hopefully) as fast as possible just to get to the next fishing hole ahead of my good friend Bill Piland. The fishing was good but the crashes spectacular, especially when I could use Bill's back as a springboard to the next rock, although I must admit he usually used my back, and in fact, he was the better fisherman.
The snowy nights when standing under one of the few street lights in town and gazing up in wonder at the huge falling flakes. So quite the air, and at that moment in time, all things seeming so possible and clear. No fears, no struggles, just "joyous peace" as if I were one with God.
But most of all. "The clear and beautiful eyes of Jodi", Mama Su's daughter.
These are some of the things I remember. Good things!
Well I could go on for ever but I'll stop here and save room for others. You have my permission to use this letter in full or part as you see fit.
David Hatch
Yes, it's that kind of place! Thank you David
The bench on the porch at the school
The bench on the porch up at the school house is a great place to just sit and watch the drizzling rain on a cold winters day. Being with someone special made it all the more memorable.
The Bell at Washington School
The school's bell, for a long time, it was the towns fire alarm system. It was rung at 8 AM while I was going to school here! That's how I knew I was late, an excuse?, well almost every time! Well I had to walk or ride a bike 4 miles one way, anything could happen along the way!
Sure, right Dad!
This is also a look at the school form
up by the mill, actually the old apple orchard, called Pine Aire Camp
Grounds
now. I came to this very spot on the day my Grandfather died and sat and
thought of all of what I would miss of him.
I remember clearly the day, the sadness and the beauty of being able to look down and see the school and the last two students arrive as they scampered up the stairs, Kathy and Deby almost late, I thought at the time. The view was clear then, you could see all of the school yard then. It was a nice picture then and remains so today...
I used these stairs at the back of the school yard, a few times, to go and see my friend Kathy when she was out sick to make sure she was doing OK. She sent me this picture in 1967 as we were writing almost every day, then...
I can't leave this area, the school, with out a word or two about "The Teacher", of my time, Mrs. Hornsby! She was the school, there was no doubt who was in control, and there were 22 of us at the time. She drove 35 plus miles one way every school day. She was the first there in the morning and the last to leave in the afternoon. She was well respected. She taught everything to all the students, and she did it alone, as you would expect in a one room school. The work was issued and it got done, you cleaned your plate at lunch time too, I remember my Dad, several years later, remarking jokingly, " I'll tell Mrs. Hornsby, you didn't clean your plate if you don't! " He remembered, and nor shall we, her students, forget.
Did I ever say thank you, Mrs. Hornsby? Probably not!
"Thank You Mrs. Hornsby for trying to teach me and for the school day memories, the dancing, laughing, the plays, baseball and yes for letting us see life as it was that fateful day November 22. You are to me as you remain to many, a very good part of our life."
"The Washington River Rats" as named by Deby Williams - Snell, as I remember, were some of the local crowd of kids that spent a lot of time at the river and in front of the General Store. Pictured here are but part of the group. I remember distinctly the comments that were made as to the first long hair boys we saw that came up from the valley, isolation...
Linda McLeod, Deby Williams-Snell, Kathy Williams-Thibodeau and
Pat McLeod
In the background, is Kathy's daughters,
Jaime and Sophie. River Rats?
SPEAKING OF RIVER RATS!
This is something that was in the water one day during a visit to Washington.
I was told it was one of two otters seen in the area lately.
The Picture was taken from the bridge so it's not very clear, all I can tell you is that it was not a dog, and it continued to swim up the river on around the corner and out of sight, with one of the local boys following it.
Well, after a webpage update notice sent to Su at the Washington Hotel, she reports the following:
"What a great shot of the otter.
We watched that family of 6 otters grow for
a year. It was fun to watch Mom and her four babies. They play....
Su"
So! Apparently the chances of actually seeing one of these critters is pretty good after all!
Sounds Great!
The
YUBA HOUSE has been many the things during it's day. Today it's a tavern
and boarding house. It served as vacation bible school when I came
to visit in 1967. Things do change? I guess real question is, can you ever
really go back?
What color is that anyway, Clara?
I hope you have enjoyed this short tour of The town of Washington.
I don't want to give up all the secrets of this small mountain community but, some things you just need to know like, what happened to the lumber mill in 1964, or how long can the towns folk go without access to the outside world in the winter? Oh and this one! There is now a new bridge in place that crosses the South Yuba river at Washington. What year did the town side approach of the old bridge get washed away by high water? The approach, on the town side, was washed out during the heavy rains of Jan 1997 but that doesn't'count. When did the first lines get painted down the center of Washington Road? In 1965 what was the names of the two students that graduated from the 8th grade? The fishing here is great, rainbow trout ... bate? Hellgramites, Kenny Ribble called them, all I know is we could get a dollar for 12 of the critters when fishing season opened.
Not just another tree in Washington, CA....
I had heard that one of the Williams girls had planted this tree and I asked Mae who was it that planted the tree in the camp grounds when you lived there...
"
Pat, that tree is a red wood tree, given to us school kids by the U.S. Forest Service. I planted that when I was in the 1st grade (age 5 1/2). When I planted it I said one day I was going to build my house out of that tree. Funny that I grew up to marry the U.S. Forest Supervisor's son......Mae"
"It is funny today, 48 years later, to recall the exact thoughts that went through my mind as I took that little red wood tree from it's school lunch type milk container, remodeled with its cut off top, and planted it with faith, and hope for the future. At age 5 I knew that trees could be used for lumber, not unusual since my father owner and operated a saw mill. Back then I imagined that tree as it stands today, and mused over the fact that in time I could build a house as it thrived in foreign soil. A red wood tree is not very common in the area, and it makes me wonder what happened to the others given to classmates who also came home bearing a same package which held for each one of us such a promise, practical or not. Thanks, Mae"
No Mae... Thank you!
How big will this red wood tree get before it is in someone's way?
I think it is important to remember where things come from when we get a chance to know. This tree only exists because a little girl was given a tree as part of a Forrest Service project, and then she planted it in her yard at the time. As you can see it's a beautiful tree... Have you ever planted a tree?
When the tree was planted there was a row of cabins on both sides of the road where the trailer houses are now in the Camp Grounds I knew as "Ribble's Rest". The Williams family lived in the last one in the row, then... Had they stayed there, we would have been neighbors as when I first lived in Washington, we lived in the cabin next to the last on that side of the road.
How grand then is it that this tree stands as a reminder for a not so little girl, after these many years have passed, she can recall the very day of it's planting, I think that is neat.
So you see, it's not just another tree!
I am looking for pictures:
The lumber mill at Washington before 1964
The old Washington bridge
Washington School class pictures, any year
Any pictures you may want to send me!All pictures received will be returned in their original condition!
or Scan them and e-mail to:
There was a post card of a 1964 Pontiac Grand Prix crossing over the old bridge?
If you want a detailed look at the weather, here are some additional links, most out of Sacramento
Local Weather Satellite Images
Local Weather Precipitation Estimates
Eastern Pacific Weather Satellite Images
Sometimes you can read some of the happenings in Washington, and the surrounding Nevada County, Ca. in the local area newspaper! You can find it @...
Have you have ever lived in or visited Washington, Ca.? If so, please drop me a line or two as to what you enjoyed while there.
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This is ME! From my video taker!
Yes... I do smile... Sometimes! See!
Some of the pictures used on this page were imported using "SNAPPY" from Play Inc.
Try this link, it's very busy and full of..., well stuff!
Worried about the the shaking of the earth beneath your feet?
Check out the latest information on just that! Recent Earthquakes in California!
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Washington, California 95986
THE END
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Copyright © ---- Patrick M. McLeod ---- version 07.15.06
