This has been in my family since before I was born in 1962. My Grandpa was in Alaska in the 1930's with the CCC building trails and what would become national parks. But his father and grandfather were Pioneers in CA, having come around Cape Horn in 1849 to San Francisco. It could either be something that he or they found in CA, or him in Alaska. The wood looks like a species more from CA. Regardless, it always fascinated me with its mystery... it was useful to someone, being heavy and everything having to be packed by a mule. They hung it on a (what was then) a small branch near the campfire probably. Then must have met with a tragic accident? It must have been remote (unlike a lot of the Placer mine camps), or someone else would have taken it. But it sat, undiscovered, for decades.
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Gold Rush miner left on a limb and died?
- Thread starter DKerr
- Start date
Thank you so much for the story and pics! I always think.....just imagine the coffee or tea made in this.....it blows your mind. My Grand Father was in the CCC also......very hard work, but they needed it at the time. If it was mine, Id leave the wood on it.......thats a long time that it hung there!
I lived in Alaska 30 yrs.. Do you know what part of Alaska your Grandpa was in? I'm guessing Central Alaska (Mat-Su Valley, Eagle River, Kenai Peninsula). I spent a lot of time, in the bush, and came across many abandoned Sourdough Cabins. Too bad I wasn't into Cast Iron Skillets at the time... lol
He was based at Petersburg with the USFS. But traveled to many islands and shoreline villages by ferry and boat for his work, all the way up and down the coast. His main job as a CCC superviser was putting in all the trails and roads at Mendenhall Glacier, including a warming hut that still stands. This was from 1937-1941, until he was drafted in WWII. My Mom was born there in 1940. My Granny was a single woman there when they met in the mid-30's. I have a ton of photos that he took, including Anchorage, very small!I lived in Alaska 30 yrs.. Do you know what part of Alaska your Grandpa was in? I'm guessing Central Alaska (Mat-Su Valley, Eagle River, Kenai Peninsula). I spent a lot of time, in the bush, and came across many abandoned Sourdough Cabins. Too bad I wasn't into Cast Iron Skillets at the time... lol
Phil Taylor
New member
Beautiful piece! The stories it could tell.
Wow! Petersburg in the 30's, 40's is wild. Awesome hunting & fishing. There are a lot of people who don't realize America fought Japan, in Alaska, in 42 & 43.He was based at Petersburg with the USFS. But traveled to many islands and shoreline villages by ferry and boat for his work, all the way up and down the coast. His main job as a CCC superviser was putting in all the trails and roads at Mendenhall Glacier, including a warming hut that still stands. This was from 1937-1941, until he was drafted in WWII. My Mom was born there in 1940. My Granny was a single woman there when they met in the mid-30's. I have a ton of photos that he took, including Anchorage, very small!