Remembering Tuolumne…

By Joseph Celentano

TCMM Historical Research Committee

June 2004

We mentioned in last month's column that the Tuolumne townspeople were relieved and delighted by the West Side Mill's reopening immediately after the depression in 1935! A great celebration was held and it was called the Tuolumne Lumber Jubilee. In those five long, dreary years of depression the 2500 people living in this community had reached the depths of despair. Despite the efforts of County, State and Federal agencies to alleviate the distress and suffering by means of the dole, work relief projects, etc., it was all so pitifully inadequate and unsatisfactory, that everyone was exceedingly unhappy. Many prominent families who were forced by these heart-rending circumstances to accept this humiliating public charity were bitterly pessimistic over the outlook for the future.

Then came the thrilling announcement that the huge West Side Lumber Company plant would reopen at once. It meant that the men could go off the hated relief rolls, but far more important, it meant a restoration of that spirit of pride and independence so vital to the welfare and progress of every decent American citizen.

The pent-up feelings of five miserable years burst into a wild, spontaneous desire to celebrate. A mass meeting was called, a program committee was appointed, and it was unanimously decided to call the event "The Tuolumne Lumber Jubilee" as the appropriate name for a truly joyful occasion. The celebration was held on June 8, 1935 and it was estimated that over 7000 people were in attendance. The longest parade in the history of Tuolumne County passed through the main streets and terminated at the public park in the center of the town. In it were Scots bag-pipers in costume, the Summerville Union High School band, the Sonora Union High School band and many colorful floats. Mr. Fred Ellis, the general manager of the West Side Lumber Company, as parade grand-marshal, mounted on a beautiful white horse, led the parade. Miss Mary Frances Gurney was attended by the lovely Hallock twins and was crowned "Queen Prosperity". An interesting feature was the enthusiastic hanging in effigy of "Old Man Depression" from a telephone pole. At the park, Supervisor Ernest H. Hodge, then Chairman of the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors, welcomed the throng, and expressed thanks that better times had come to the long-distressed community.

With the exception of the World War II years, the Jubilee had been observed annually under the sponsorship of the Tuolumne City Progressive Association in commemoration of the 1935 lumber revival, and also to impress upon the minds of the citizens due gratitude for the improved economic conditions of the day. In 1948, it took on the centennial aspect, with the appearance of scores of bearded men, and women in gowns of the Gold Rush period. Also for the first time, the legendary Paul Bunyan took a prominent part in the festivities.

The 53^rd Tuolumne Lumber Jubilee event, June 21, 22 and 23, 2002, sponsored by the Tuolumne Park and Recreation District and the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 391 is open to all lumberjacks, mountain men and women, and visitors of all ages. More information can be obtained at www.lumber-jubilee.com .

The highlight of the early Lumber Jubilees was the tug-of-war between a team of Tuolumne lumberjacks and competitors from other mills or towns. The match included big prizes and considerable betting.

In 1962, the workers union struck against the sawmills, including West Side. The strike lasted two months and ended with a failed attempt to unionize.

Next month we will cover the last days of the West Side Lumber Company and its demise, whose payrolls have through the years been the main source of livelihood for the majority of the townspeople of Tuolumne.

(Excerpts taken from the "Tuolumne Community Context Statement", County of Tuolumne, September 1999.)