May - June 2014

Administrators Note’s 

Ralph Gibson 

Last summer we started a new offsite exhibit program. We have been installing exhibits in public spaces where people don’t expect to see historic artifacts and photographs.

Our first exhibit was in Rocklin’s Placer Herald office. We set up two chairs that once belonged to W.A. Shepard, a longtime editor of the Placer Herald, along with photographs and interpretive text. We then went to work on a temporary exhibit in the Domes (the Placer County Administrative Center) where the Board of Supervisors hold public meetings. We installed vintage cameras in a display case in the front lobby as well as historic photographs. It was a concise exhibit that photographically covered all five districts in the county.

Next, we installed an exhibit on mountain sports and recreation in the Placer County Planning Office in Tahoe City. The latest of our offsite exhibits is in the Finance Administration Building at DeWitt. We have two different exhibits on two floors. On the first floor outside the Clerk Recorder’s Office is an automatic voting machine that was last used in the Placer County election of 1906. On the second floor is a display of office equipment that was used to process and store information from the late 19th century up through the 1980s.

Offsite exhibits are a good way for us to showcase objects that might not fit in a regular museum exhibit. It’s also a great marketing tool. Many county residents have no idea they own six museums, an Archives and Collections Facility, and an exhibit shop. Through these exhibits, we reach a broader audience and make connections with history lovers. More offsite exhibits are coming soon!

A Letter from the Editor 

Jason Adair

Dear Readers, Dear Readers, It’s that time of the year again, when spring gets skipped in favor of summer. That’s when we know it’s time to start working on the Heritage Trail Museum Tour. If you’re reading this, I assume you will either be a visitor or a volunteer for the biggest museum event of the year.

This year we have 20 museums that will welcome you with open arms, unless you’re not into that kind of public affection. Either way, there will be plenty of free snacks on offer as well as unique hands-on opportunities and demonstrations that only happen during the Heritage Trail.

If you’re a museum docent or volunteer, sign up to work at your museum August 2nd and 3rd. If you’re not, strap on your driving goggles and get ready to visit 20 great museums!

The Women's Army Corps at DeWitt Army Hospital

Kasia Woroniecka

 DeWitt WACs There were fewer than 7,000 Army nurses on active duty when the U.S. entered World War II in 1941. By the end of the war their number grew to more than 59,000. The first nurse reported for duty at the DeWitt Army Hospital on January 20th, 1944. The nurses were part of the Women’s Army Corps. The WAC was a branch of United States Army created as an auxiliary unit (WAAC) in 1942 and converted to full status as WAC in 1943. At one time 262 WACs were posted at DeWitt; by 1945 there were only 93, with many ready for discharge or transfer to other commands, among them Clinton, IA, and Ft. Devens, MS. 1st Sargent Verna L. Christenson, who enlisted with the WAC in February 1943, was quoted in the “The Dewitt Miner” regretting leaving her post since “seeing all these people leave is like taking the stays out of your girdle.”

Nursing staff of DeWitt General Hospital during the Activation Ceremony in March 1944. 

The Army Nurse Corps uniform was changing from dark blue to khaki. 

The nurses in the photograph were the first to be assigned to DeWitt. 

- PCM Archives Collection 

The design of the WAAC uniforms went through many revisions. Out of 750 jackets issued to the first contingent of WAAC, 531 had to be altered. They were designed and made by the men’s clothing industry and many women who wore them considered them ill-fitting and the fabric too stiff. New and improved pattern was put into production in 1944.

 WAAC uniform jacket of Sargent Evelyn Frost. 

 - PCM Collection 

DeWitt General Hospital officers and nurses quarters.

 - PCM Archives Collection 

Nurses at the DeWitt hospital took care of patients with many different injuries sustained in the European and Pacific theaters of war. The first patients arrived in January 1943, before the official March opening of DeWitt. The nurses had their work cut out for them with 1852 beds. Sgt. Verle D. Hull, for example, landed in Ward 107 after a sniper’s bullet in Germany hit him in the left shoulder and left him paralyzed. Technician Fourth Grade Arnold Duby of Portland, OR, was the first patient from the French invasion to arrive. A member of the 101st Airborne Division, he landed in Normandy on D-Day and was injured on June 13, 1944. Another technician, Frank Dobashi, was injured in France when he tripped a wire of a German S-mine, also known as “Bouncing Betty.” There were also patients who were treated for facial wounds, brain surgery, missing limbs and post-traumatic stress.

Ambulances from DeWitt Hospital at Auburn Depot. 

Most patients arrived by train and were transferred from the train station to DeWitt.

Others were flown to Sacramento and driven to Auburn.

 - PCM Archives Collection

As the war was coming to an end in 1945 the patients were discharged or transferred to other hospitals. The hospital officially closed on December 31, 1945.

The Scoop 

Not Your Average Day at the Cemetery

Most of the time, the Old Auburn Cemetery is used for powerwalking, dogwalking, or just plain old fashioned walking. While it is a really nice place to walk, what’s overlooked by those getting their daily constitutional is the depth of history that surrounds them. The docents and volunteers of the Placer County Museums mean to rectify that.

On Sunday May 4th at 1:30 pm we’ll be hosting our second cemetery tour, Historic Haunts: A Tour of the Old Auburn Cemetery. This time we’ll be focusing on the second wave of California immigrants who arrived in the 1860s. The tour will last about an hour and includes 18 notable plots. Also, the Native Sons of the Golden West will have their restored 1860s hearse and 1890s mudwagon on display for photographs.

The first tour begins at 1:30 and the last tour will start no later than 3:45. You do not need to reserve your tour, simply show up and register and we’ll organize everyone into tour groups. The tour will start at the back left side of the cemetery as you walk in the main gate. This is a rain or shine event, so please dress accordingly and wear comfortable shoes. Free bottled water will be available.

The Old Auburn Cemetery is located at 170 Fulweiler Avenue across from the Placer County Administrative Center where you may also park. Please remember that there are no restrooms in or near the cemetery, so plan accordingly. The tour is FREE!

Placer County Historical Foundation's Day of Giving

The Placer County Historical Foundation is a part of the Placer County Historical Society. The foundation was formed in 1971 to obtain and restore the Bernhard House and give it to Placer County for a museum.

Since then, the foundation has contributed to other restoration projects, published books, helped fund the printing of the Old Town Walking Tour among other things.

They also contracted with the county to fund and arrange the Placer County Museum Gift Shop in the courthouse from 1995 to 2005.

More information about the foundation is on our website below.

The foundation is participating in the Day of Giving to raise awareness and funds to further our mission.

The Day of Giving is a regional partnership with Placer Community Foundation, Sacramento Region Community Foundation, and Yolo Community Foundation.

To give, on May 6 starting at 12:00 midnight visit the website www.givelocalnow.org to make a gift of $25 or more to Placer County Historical Foundation. You have 24 hours to make your donation.

Thank you for your participation. Hal Hall, President

President’s Message 

Michael Otten, President 

Michael Otten,
President Ralph

Roper Rides Again!
Ralph Roper's smile seemed wide as the renowned Foresthill Bridge on Wednesday, April 16, 2014.

It was déjà vu some 730 feet over the American River on California's highest bridge.

With son Harvey riding shotgun, the 93-year-old Roper piloted his 1921 Model T Roadster across. It was the first car to cross the bridge after the rededication ribbon cutting to celebrate the state's highest bridge's $74 million overhaul.

Ralph Roper had the same honors in the same car on Labor Day 1973. That day an elephant and a donkey were brought in for the dedication show to symbolize bipartisan political support. The bridge was a key to completion of a dam that would create Auburn Lake. At maximum the level would have been 138 feet below.

Roper was 52 when the legendary Wendell Robie persuaded him to drive his Model T across. Roper is the 1956 founder of a jewelry store that bears his name as well as a much honored community icon with fondness for pre Depression vehicles, parades and public service.

What was Placer County like in 1973? Most of us weren't here. Population was 90,000, a quarter of todays. Auburn had half as many and the state had 20.6 million.

The bridge cost $14 million. There was a controversy over using steel from Japan to save money over American steel.

Life in 1973: A car cost $4,052, gasoline, 39 cents, house, $35,500; minimum wage, $1.60; average annual salary, $13,622; postage, 8 cents; milk, $1.36 a gallon; bread, 27 cents a loaf; gold jumped $40 to a record $97 an ounce.

Ronald Reagan, Governor; no Proposition 13 tax break, Viet Nam War ends, VP Spiro Agnew resigns; President Richard Nixon declares "I'm not a Crook."

Oakland A’s win World Series. "The Sting" wins Academy Award. Lyndon Baines Johnson, Pablo Picasso and Betty Grable die, Secretariat wins the Triple Crown.

April 16 was déjà vu for Don Anderson too and his "love in the sky.´ He was the Bureau of Reclamation's resident engineer during the initial four year construction.

Anderson termed the project his one in a million shot to be the engineer. His slide show on the construction is not to be missed.

 Star reporter Gus Thomson, despite being on vacation, brought his daughter on the public tour. Thomson has written about the joys and sorrows of the bridge during much of his 25 year Auburn Journal career. The Thomsons joined in on a rare walk on the catwalk grid underneath.

Whether there is ever an Auburn Lake or an Auburn Dam, we have The Bridge of Hollywood fame, a draw for BASE jumpers and tourists alike and a shorter commute to Foresthill.

 otten@ssctv.net

Placer County Historical Society Dinner Meeting

Addah Owens, Vice President

When: June 5
Time: 6:30
Where: Auburn Veterans Hall, 100 East St, Auburn
Cost: $14
Menu: BBQ chicken and ribs, camp beans, potato salad, green salad, corn bread, and lemon bars. Mail Check to: PCHS, c/o Betty Samson, 8780 Baxter Grade Road, Auburn, CA 95603

Program: Sierra Stories: Tales of Dreamers, Steamers, Bigots and Rogues
Sierra College historian and Loomis resident Gary Noy, will present an illustrated lecture on unusual and lesser known stories of Sierra Nevada history, with a focus on Placer County events and personalities. The presentation is based on his book, “Sierra Stories: Tales of Dreamers, Steamers, Bigots and Rogues” which will be available for sale and signing.

Noy will recount more than 60 hidden tales of Placer County figures such as Jean-Baptiste Charbonneau, John Conness, Joseph B. Starkweather, as well as obscure stories of local events such as the building of the Bloomer Cut and the 1924 silent film “Greed”.

Calendar of Events

Click to enlarge

Placer County Historical Organizations 

Colfax Area Historical Society
Helen Wayland, (530) 346-7040 colfaxhistory.org

Donner Summit Historical Society
Bill Oudegeest, (209) 606-6859 donnersummithistoricalsociety.org

Foresthill Divide Historical Society
Sandy Simester, (530) 367-3535 foresthillhistory.org

Fruitvale School Hall Community Association
Lyndell Grey, (916) 645-3517

Golden Drift Historical Society
Jim Ricker, (530) 389-8344

Historical Advisory Board
Glenn Vineyard, (916) 747-1961

Old Town Auburn Preservation Society
Lynn Carpenter, (530) 885-1252 Lincoln

Highway Association
Bob Dieterich, bobd@iname.com or lincolnhwy.org

Lincoln Area Archives Museum
Elizabeth Jansen, (916) 645-3800 laamca.org

Joss House Museum and Chinese History Center
Richard Yue, (530) 346-7121

Loomis Basin Historical Society
Karen Clifford, (916) 663-3871 ppgn.com/loomishistorical.html

Roseville Fire Museum
Shari -Tasler, (916) 538-1809 rosevillefiremuseum.org

Maidu Museum & Historic Site
Glenie Strome, (916) 782-3299 roseville.ca.us/indianmuseum

Native Sons of the Golden West, Parlor #59
Dave Allen, (530) 878-2878 dsallen59@sbcglobal.net

Newcastle Portuguese Hall Association
Aileen Gage, (530) 885-911

Placer County Historical Society
Michael Otten, (530) 888-7837 placercountyhistoricalsociety.org

Placer County Museums Docent Guild
Tom Innes, (530) 888-8969

Rocklin Historical Society
Jean Sippola, (916) 652-1034 rocklinhistory.org

Roseville Historical Society
Phoebe Astill, (916) 773-3003 rosevillehistorical.org

North Lake Tahoe Historical Society
Javier Rodriguez, (530) 583-1762 northtahoemuseums.org

Placer County Genealogical Society,
Toni Rosasco, (530) 888-8036 pcgenes.com