Wilark
&
Camp 8
Wilark in its original location (see maps)
Wilark Established
Wilark Established
Historically, Wilark might best described as the place where your mail was delivered. It might also be the place you worked, lived, or attended school. It just depended on what the Clark and Wilson Lumber Company needed, and what camp was actively cutting the old growth forest.
Historically, Wilark might best described as the place where your mail was delivered. It might also be the place you worked, lived, or attended school. It just depended on what the Clark and Wilson Lumber Company needed, and what camp was actively cutting the old growth forest.
The Wilark post office was created in 1924 combining the first part of the Wilson name and last part of the Clark name. It was located near the headwaters of the Clatskanie River along Pittsburg road. The company owned large tracts of timberland and logging operations in Columbia County and had a big sawmill in Linnton.
The Wilark post office was created in 1924 combining the first part of the Wilson name and last part of the Clark name. It was located near the headwaters of the Clatskanie River along Pittsburg road. The company owned large tracts of timberland and logging operations in Columbia County and had a big sawmill in Linnton.
Wilark had rail service via the Goble and Nehalem Valley Railroad to Goble, and housed hundreds of men working to cut and transport the harvested logs to the company mill. There were many jobs associated with operating the railroads that were constantly being extended into the lush forests. Keeping the machinery operating required a number of men to work in the roundhouse, blacksmith shop, and machine shop. Some workers chose to have their families live in the camp. At one point there were 800 men in the location of the first camp now referred to as Old Wilark.
Wilark had rail service via the Goble and Nehalem Valley Railroad to Goble, and housed hundreds of men working to cut and transport the harvested logs to the company mill. There were many jobs associated with operating the railroads that were constantly being extended into the lush forests. Keeping the machinery operating required a number of men to work in the roundhouse, blacksmith shop, and machine shop. Some workers chose to have their families live in the camp. At one point there were 800 men in the location of the first camp now referred to as Old Wilark.
Vernonia Eagle Jan 8, 1926
LIFE & WORK IN THE CAMP
LIFE & WORK IN THE CAMP
Residents could find their way to civilization, even if they didn't have a car using the S.P.&S. Stage Service However, the camp was pretty self-contained and had many amenities including a schoolhouse and sports teams. We know quite a bit about life in Wilark from the detailed memories of a former school teacher, Grace Brandt Martin. In her book, An Oregon School Ma'am, she describes the place where she began as a teacher for the Clark and Wilson Lumber Company in 1930. "We went to look at the schoolhouse which was situated in the lower half of a gently sloping open field. From the outside it appeared to be a big, typical one-room school painted white with a belfry . . . it is wonderfully equipped for a country school with carbide lights, a furnace and a janitor to keep it stoked, swings, slides, a large pay shed, and very good furnishings inside the building. But I must sadly admit that for all their prosperity, they still have outdoor toilets."
Residents could find their way to civilization, even if they didn't have a car using the S.P.&S. Stage Service However, the camp was pretty self-contained and had many amenities including a schoolhouse and sports teams. We know quite a bit about life in Wilark from the detailed memories of a former school teacher, Grace Brandt Martin. In her book, An Oregon School Ma'am, she describes the place where she began as a teacher for the Clark and Wilson Lumber Company in 1930. "We went to look at the schoolhouse which was situated in the lower half of a gently sloping open field. From the outside it appeared to be a big, typical one-room school painted white with a belfry . . . it is wonderfully equipped for a country school with carbide lights, a furnace and a janitor to keep it stoked, swings, slides, a large pay shed, and very good furnishings inside the building. But I must sadly admit that for all their prosperity, they still have outdoor toilets."
Martin also describes the cabin she shared with another teacher: “The weather-beaten shack that we are to occupy has never been painted on the outside, just like all the other houses I saw around camp. In the small kitchen there is a sink piped for cold water and the only places for storing things are a few crudely built shelves. The bedroom is about the same size as the kitchen, so there is just enough room for a double bed, dresser, and my wardrobe trunk.... The living room is really pretty good-sized (10x18) but has only four small sliding windows to let in the light...the tongue-and-groove ceilings are also dingy-looking so we'll have to paint them too, but they’re low so that will make it easier."
Martin also describes the cabin she shared with another teacher: “The weather-beaten shack that we are to occupy has never been painted on the outside, just like all the other houses I saw around camp. In the small kitchen there is a sink piped for cold water and the only places for storing things are a few crudely built shelves. The bedroom is about the same size as the kitchen, so there is just enough room for a double bed, dresser, and my wardrobe trunk.... The living room is really pretty good-sized (10x18) but has only four small sliding windows to let in the light...the tongue-and-groove ceilings are also dingy-looking so we'll have to paint them too, but they’re low so that will make it easier."
She also notes the terrain: "although the hills around camp have been cleared of standing time, I saw quantities of small trees scattered around. Our woodshed is set in a grove of trees and there are two more firs by the front porch." Her car trip to Wilark is remembered as well: "The farther we went (from Yankton), the more logged-off land there was to be seen. Following the road which wound through the mountains, over the mountains, and down the other side, only to climb again, we finally came to a shoestring valley among the hills. This was the site of the logging camp. As soon as we left the graveled county road, we were traveling on a rundown corduroy road made of planks..."
She also notes the terrain: "although the hills around camp have been cleared of standing time, I saw quantities of small trees scattered around. Our woodshed is set in a grove of trees and there are two more firs by the front porch." Her car trip to Wilark is remembered as well: "The farther we went (from Yankton), the more logged-off land there was to be seen. Following the road which wound through the mountains, over the mountains, and down the other side, only to climb again, we finally came to a shoestring valley among the hills. This was the site of the logging camp. As soon as we left the graveled county road, we were traveling on a rundown corduroy road made of planks..."
Martin writes that while "many Wilark children ...showed the results of careful home training, .. those who didn't dominated the scene so aggressively that I scarcely noticed the well behaved pupils. Since swearing and coarse language were basic elements of their everyday vocabulary, the schoolground rang with profanity. To make matters worse, the older girls and boys were boy crazy or girl crazy, whichever the case might be. . . They knew all about sex without ever having been in a sex education class.
Martin writes that while "many Wilark children ...showed the results of careful home training, .. those who didn't dominated the scene so aggressively that I scarcely noticed the well behaved pupils. Since swearing and coarse language were basic elements of their everyday vocabulary, the schoolground rang with profanity. To make matters worse, the older girls and boys were boy crazy or girl crazy, whichever the case might be. . . They knew all about sex without ever having been in a sex education class.
She shares some details about a logging family she befriended: Mike, like most loggers, wanted to be free to quit his job and move on to another camp whenever he felt the impulse, so he limited their household possessions to what could be carried in the back seat of his car and small trailer. When Mike returned from work that Saturday... he paused at the back door to remove his calked boots which would have dug pits in the floors if worn inside. After that he used several basins full of soapy warm water to scrub away the worst of the grime from his hands and face. As Mike waited somewhat impatiently for the rest of us to join him at the table, he appeared to be ravenously hungry, even though he had eaten a huge breakfast at 5:30 a.m. and undoubtedly had devoured all the food in his well-filled lunch pail. As soon as we sat down, he commenced to fill his plate with roast beef, potatoes, gravy, cooked vegetables, bread and butter, and peach preserves. After he had stowed away his fill of these, plus generous cups of coffee, he topped them off with a big wedge of butterscotch pie swathed in whipped cream. Despite regularly partaking of such meals, he continued to have the lean, wiry build characteristic of a logger while poor Erma, who also ate them, was mourning the loss of her slender figure.
She shares some details about a logging family she befriended: Mike, like most loggers, wanted to be free to quit his job and move on to another camp whenever he felt the impulse, so he limited their household possessions to what could be carried in the back seat of his car and small trailer. When Mike returned from work that Saturday... he paused at the back door to remove his calked boots which would have dug pits in the floors if worn inside. After that he used several basins full of soapy warm water to scrub away the worst of the grime from his hands and face. As Mike waited somewhat impatiently for the rest of us to join him at the table, he appeared to be ravenously hungry, even though he had eaten a huge breakfast at 5:30 a.m. and undoubtedly had devoured all the food in his well-filled lunch pail. As soon as we sat down, he commenced to fill his plate with roast beef, potatoes, gravy, cooked vegetables, bread and butter, and peach preserves. After he had stowed away his fill of these, plus generous cups of coffee, he topped them off with a big wedge of butterscotch pie swathed in whipped cream. Despite regularly partaking of such meals, he continued to have the lean, wiry build characteristic of a logger while poor Erma, who also ate them, was mourning the loss of her slender figure.
There were also some differences in living conditions and social activities between the loggers, the engineers and white collar workers. Single loggers lived in bunkhouses. Some engineers lived in railway cars, while most married couples lived in shacks built on skids. Martin writes about her friend Mary and her husband Jimmy, a white collar worker. "Since their camp house was built on skids so it could be picked up and loaded onto a flat-car, they unhesitatingly made improvements without fear of being forced to leave their house behind if the company moved them to a different location. (S)he had the table carefully set with her good Spode china and we ate by candlelight which made it seem like a real dinner party. The next morning Mary came by early and we went to Portland in their impressive Buick car which is positively a picture of luxury." Later the author notes, "The stupid cliquishness of this place! Mary and Erma don't visit each other because Erma is considered to be lower on the camp's social scale just because Mike is a logger. while Mary's husband is a white-collar worker."
There were also some differences in living conditions and social activities between the loggers, the engineers and white collar workers. Single loggers lived in bunkhouses. Some engineers lived in railway cars, while most married couples lived in shacks built on skids. Martin writes about her friend Mary and her husband Jimmy, a white collar worker. "Since their camp house was built on skids so it could be picked up and loaded onto a flat-car, they unhesitatingly made improvements without fear of being forced to leave their house behind if the company moved them to a different location. (S)he had the table carefully set with her good Spode china and we ate by candlelight which made it seem like a real dinner party. The next morning Mary came by early and we went to Portland in their impressive Buick car which is positively a picture of luxury." Later the author notes, "The stupid cliquishness of this place! Mary and Erma don't visit each other because Erma is considered to be lower on the camp's social scale just because Mike is a logger. while Mary's husband is a white-collar worker."
Ike Dass on tree facing camera
Rigging a spar tree with a steam donkey
Rigging a spar tree with a steam donkey
Courtesy: Cathy Armstrong Porter
Pictured: Ray Olson, Wesley Koberstein, Ike Das, Holly Holcomb, Walt Fowler, John Atkins, and Allen Ray
Crew relocating steam donkey
Crew relocating steam donkey
courtesy: Cathy Armstrong Porter
Trestle Construction near Wilark
Trestle Construction near Wilark
(Note that there are two pile drivers in operation. One on the lower level and the other at track level)
(Note that there are two pile drivers in operation. One on the lower level and the other at track level)
The following is a description of trestle construction from the September 1929 issue of "The Timberman."
The following is a description of trestle construction from the September 1929 issue of "The Timberman."
Ninety Six Foot Piling Trestle Bridge
Ninety Six Foot Piling Trestle Bridge
By C. O. Marston, Logging Engineer, Clark & Wilson Lumber Company, Wilark, Oregon
By C. O. Marston, Logging Engineer, Clark & Wilson Lumber Company, Wilark, Oregon
In the extension of spur 3 of the Clark & Wilson Lumber Company, Wilark, Oregon, on the Clatskanie watershed, the only feasible crossing of the upper Carcus Creek required a 96-foot bridge. To hasten construction and keep down costs a full pile trestle bridge was constructed. This bridge has a total length of 795 feet of 54 bents with 15-foot centers, with 19 bents with over a 45 foot cutoff – the greatest distance of which is 93.25 feet, with a total of five bents over 90 feet cutoff. All piling was driven butt up, the longest set of piling being 120 feet with eight inches top diameter and 22 inches butt diameter. Bents up to 15 feet cutoff are of four piles, 15 feet to 80 feet cutoff are of five piles and bents 80 feet to 93.25 feet are all of six piles.
In the extension of spur 3 of the Clark & Wilson Lumber Company, Wilark, Oregon, on the Clatskanie watershed, the only feasible crossing of the upper Carcus Creek required a 96-foot bridge. To hasten construction and keep down costs a full pile trestle bridge was constructed. This bridge has a total length of 795 feet of 54 bents with 15-foot centers, with 19 bents with over a 45 foot cutoff – the greatest distance of which is 93.25 feet, with a total of five bents over 90 feet cutoff. All piling was driven butt up, the longest set of piling being 120 feet with eight inches top diameter and 22 inches butt diameter. Bents up to 15 feet cutoff are of four piles, 15 feet to 80 feet cutoff are of five piles and bents 80 feet to 93.25 feet are all of six piles.
The system of bracing is ... the standard bracing adopted three years ago. No bolts were used, all sway braces and sash (3 x 10-inch) were spiked with 3/8 x 8 inch boat spiked with 3/8 x 10-inch boat spikes, due allowance on ends was given to prevent the ends splitting. Hewn caps were drifted with 3⁄4 x 20-inch drift bolts and hewn stringers were drifted with 3⁄4 x 21-inch drift bolts. No lateral bracing other than line girts 4 x 8 – 18 feet were used.
The system of bracing is ... the standard bracing adopted three years ago. No bolts were used, all sway braces and sash (3 x 10-inch) were spiked with 3/8 x 8 inch boat spiked with 3/8 x 10-inch boat spikes, due allowance on ends was given to prevent the ends splitting. Hewn caps were drifted with 3⁄4 x 20-inch drift bolts and hewn stringers were drifted with 3⁄4 x 21-inch drift bolts. No lateral bracing other than line girts 4 x 8 – 18 feet were used.
At the bridge approach, to facilitate the spotting of the material, a stub spur about 200 feet long was built at right angles to the right of way and parallel to the Creek, thus enabling the dumping of the piling into the Canyon and off the bridge site. Three days were taken to spot the piling and lumber.
At the bridge approach, to facilitate the spotting of the material, a stub spur about 200 feet long was built at right angles to the right of way and parallel to the Creek, thus enabling the dumping of the piling into the Canyon and off the bridge site. Three days were taken to spot the piling and lumber.
Thirty-nine days, of eight hours each, after the piling was spotted the bridge was complete, ready for the steel. A foreman and eight men comprised the entire crew.
Thirty-nine days, of eight hours each, after the piling was spotted the bridge was complete, ready for the steel. A foreman and eight men comprised the entire crew.
The first cutoff was given by the engineering crew, and the bridge crew given instructions to drop each succeeding bent 1 13/16 inches, this to give a minus 1 percent grade to the bridge, bringing the last bent theoretically 0.053 feet below grade. This drop was determined with an “educated stick,” namely a 15-foot 1 x 4 – inch board, dapped 1 13/16 inches on lower edge at one end and used with an ordinary spirit level. The dapped end was placed on the cap of the finished bent behind, then measuring down one foot at new bent for cutoff.
The first cutoff was given by the engineering crew, and the bridge crew given instructions to drop each succeeding bent 1 13/16 inches, this to give a minus 1 percent grade to the bridge, bringing the last bent theoretically 0.053 feet below grade. This drop was determined with an “educated stick,” namely a 15-foot 1 x 4 – inch board, dapped 1 13/16 inches on lower edge at one end and used with an ordinary spirit level. The dapped end was placed on the cap of the finished bent behind, then measuring down one foot at new bent for cutoff.
Two instrument checks were made during construction and variation was found to be less than three inches above cutoff at halfway across, and three quarters inch at two thirds, and a little less than one inch above calculated cutoff at end.
Two instrument checks were made during construction and variation was found to be less than three inches above cutoff at halfway across, and three quarters inch at two thirds, and a little less than one inch above calculated cutoff at end.
Following is a recapitulation of material used in constructing bridge 15, spur 3:
Following is a recapitulation of material used in constructing bridge 15, spur 3:
Ruralite January 1983 describes reunion of former Wilark residents.
Ruralite January 1983 describes reunion of former Wilark residents.
Could the piano described in this article be the one schoolteacher Brandt described? "We heard that there were odds and ends of furniture belonging to the Wilark School District in the Trenholm teacherage. When the truck carrying the furniture arrived at our place, the driver and his helper unloaded a Congoleum rug for the living room, a crude kitchen table with two chairs, a huge, uncomfortable-looking homemade rocker, and the upright piano that had been in the Trenholm schoolhouse." When she left Wilark, Brandt wrote "...that the shack looked quite forlorn - all that remained were the district's piano, ...rocker.. and a Congoleum rug."
Map shows the location of Wilark before it moved to the Camp 8 area
1962 County Road Map with Camp 8 (Wilark) and Old Wilark circled
1962 County Road Map with Camp 8 (Wilark) and Old Wilark circled
1964 Crown Zellerbach Tree Farm Map with Camp 8 and Old Wilark circled
1964 Crown Zellerbach Tree Farm Map with Camp 8 and Old Wilark circled
Wilark Relocated
Wilark Relocated
The move of the main operations including the post office from (Old) Camp Wilark to Camp 8 (New Wilark) appears to have occurred in late 1929 or early 1930. The following are some events noted by "The Timberman:"
The move of the main operations including the post office from (Old) Camp Wilark to Camp 8 (New Wilark) appears to have occurred in late 1929 or early 1930. The following are some events noted by "The Timberman:"
In 1926, the Clark and Wilson Logging Company purchased the Nehalem Timber and Logging Company's holdings which included Camp 8.
In 1926, the Clark and Wilson Logging Company purchased the Nehalem Timber and Logging Company's holdings which included Camp 8.
In April 1927, the Clark & Wilson Lumber Company, Wilark, now has in operation a Lidgerwood Skidder. Oil for fuel is employed. The company also recently received a Casey-Jones Speeder. A Lodge & Shipley lathe has been added to the camp machine shop. The company is building approximately six miles of logging railroad. C. O. Marston is logging engineer.
In April 1927, the Clark & Wilson Lumber Company, Wilark, now has in operation a Lidgerwood Skidder. Oil for fuel is employed. The company also recently received a Casey-Jones Speeder. A Lodge & Shipley lathe has been added to the camp machine shop. The company is building approximately six miles of logging railroad. C. O. Marston is logging engineer.
In June 1929, "the company is operating three camps, with about 750 men. Part of the donkey equipment is being changed from wood to oil burning. The company recently purchased a Baldwin side tank rod locomotive. It now has twelve locomotives. About 50 miles of mainline and 50 miles of Spur line is used. Seventy and 72-pound steel rail is employed on both mainline and spurs, with tie plates employed on all curves. Frank Baker is logging Superintendent, C. O. Marston engineer."
In June 1929, "the company is operating three camps, with about 750 men. Part of the donkey equipment is being changed from wood to oil burning. The company recently purchased a Baldwin side tank rod locomotive. It now has twelve locomotives. About 50 miles of mainline and 50 miles of Spur line is used. Seventy and 72-pound steel rail is employed on both mainline and spurs, with tie plates employed on all curves. Frank Baker is logging Superintendent, C. O. Marston engineer."
On June 9, 1929, there was a major fire in the machine shop at Camp 8. The machine shop had just been completed. Practically all equipment was destroyed. Reconstruction is being rushed as rapidly as possible "The Timberman" reported.
On June 9, 1929, there was a major fire in the machine shop at Camp 8. The machine shop had just been completed. Practically all equipment was destroyed. Reconstruction is being rushed as rapidly as possible "The Timberman" reported.
One of the few remaining buildings at Wilark c 1980
Courtesy: Dave Parsons
Wilark lived on as a location for the CCC
Wilark lived on as a location for the CCC
As the Depression worsened the Civilian Conservation Corps expanded its activities in Columbia County. In the 1930s they used the former Wilark logging camp as a place for crews fighting forest fires and road building. (The first map identifies many of the roads).
As the Depression worsened the Civilian Conservation Corps expanded its activities in Columbia County. In the 1930s they used the former Wilark logging camp as a place for crews fighting forest fires and road building. (The first map identifies many of the roads).
Company 697 moved to Camp Wilark at Houlton, OR, and from there to Montana.
CCC Camp, Mist, Oregon, 1935
CCC Camp, Mist, Oregon, 1935
Source: Gerald W. Williams Collection on the Civilian Conservation Corps (MSS CCC) Oregon State University
Camp 8
Camp 8
Several things to be noted in this hand colored photograph of Camp 8: the shacks, buildings and railroad cars were most likely unpainted and the roofs were either wooden shingles or tar paper, the rail car in the lower left is the Camp 8 school, and the machine shop, water tower and other camp buildings can be seen in other images in this collection.
Several things to be noted in this hand colored photograph of Camp 8: the shacks, buildings and railroad cars were most likely unpainted and the roofs were either wooden shingles or tar paper, the rail car in the lower left is the Camp 8 school, and the machine shop, water tower and other camp buildings can be seen in other images in this collection.
Camp 8 School
Camp 8 School
Box car used for school classes at Camp 8
Box car used for school classes at Camp 8
Mrs. Dorothy Sandon, teacher
Mrs. Dorothy Sandon, teacher
In 1930 there were 20 students enrolled
In 1930 there were 20 students enrolled
Nehalem Timber and Logging Company Camp 8 prior to 1926
Nehalem Timber and Logging Company Camp 8 prior to 1926
Nehalem Timber and Logging Company, Camp 8
Nehalem Timber and Logging Company, Camp 8
Courtesy Jannette Barker
Clark and & Wilson Lumber Company
Clark and & Wilson Lumber Company
Lidgerwood skidder
"The Clark & Wilson Lumber Company Linnton, has received delivery of a Lidgerwood steel spar skidder for the camp at Wilark."
The Timberman March 1927.
