Remembering Tuolumne…..

By Joseph Celentano, Research Committee

E-mail:   JCelentano@TuolumneMuseum.org

 

WEST SIDE MEMORIAL PARK DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF

THE MEN AND WOMEN OF WEST SIDE LUMBER COMPANY WHO SERVED THIS

COMMUNITY SO FAITHFULLY OVER THE MANY YEARS.

1898 - 1958

APPROVED BY TUOLUMNE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

APRIL 1, 1960

 

WEST SIDE MEMORIAL PARK DEDICATION CEREMONIES AT 2 PM SUNDAY

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While researching the archives of the Museum, I ran across the above headlines in a forty-three year old copy of the December 8th, 1960 edition of the Tuolumne Prospector ("a home paper for the home folks").  The edition mentioned formal ceremonies dedicating the park in the center of the town of Tuolumne to the memory of the men and women who worked for the West Side Lumber Company. 

            "The event, under the sponsorship of the Tuolumne City Progressive Association, will be marked by the unveiling of a bronze plaque bearing the corporate seal of the company, and the name West Side Memorial Park. 

            "The project has been under the guidance of a committee headed by Fred Ellis, longtime West Side Lumber Company President and General Manager, and including Judge Ernest H. Hodge, Supervisor Robert "Bob" Ingalls, and Robert Klipfel, all of Tuolumne. 

            "Music for the event will be furnished by the Summerville Union High School band, under the direction of William D. Crawford, while an address of welcome will be made by John R. Wise, president of the sponsoring organization. 

            "Walter E. Ronten, as master of ceremonies, will introduce Eugene M. Prince of Crockett, a longtime executive and director of West Side Lumber Company before its sale to the Pickering Lumber Company in 1958.

            "Also scheduled to address the audience will be Fred Ellis and Frank Momyer, president of Pickering Lumber Corporation.

            "Old time residents of the community and employees of the West Side Lumber Company will be introduced.

            "The unveiling of the bronze plaque will be accomplished by Mrs. William "Bill" Holm and Mrs. Edwin "Ed" Ronten, the widows of two of the longtime employees of West Side.  They will be introduced by Mrs. Gladstone Johnson.

            "During the ceremonies, the band will play the national anthem and other special selections.  Mrs. Vernon E. Hodges of Tuolumne, accompanied by Mrs. Henrietta Ronten, will sing "Forgotten Yesterdays".  The Rev. Robert Tanner, pastor of the Tuolumne Methodist Church will give the invocation.

            "The street in front of the monument will be closed off during the ceremonies and chairs will be provided for a number of guests and visitors, it was announced by Fred Ellis.

            "In the event of inclement weather, the services will be conducted in the Tuolumne Memorial Hall. 

            "A brief history of the West Side Lumber Company and of the park which will be dedicated followed."

Hard to believe it was over forty years ago. 

            …..and thus, another page turns in the history of Remembering Tuolumne.