Recently, I sent a email to subscribers with the attachment of a photograph of the Fruit Growers Supply Company’s cookhouse at Camp 10, which is depicted above. Several people indicated they wanted to know more, so without further adieu . . .
Fruit Growers operated ten railroad logging camps in the region west of Eagle Lake. In 1928, Camp 10 was established at the northern end of Pine Creek Valley and was not only its largest camp, but also in length, for it remained in operation until the end of the logging season of 1952. In the summer, its population could swell to 200, and by winter reduced to one lone caretaker.
On August 29, 1950 at around 2:00 a.m. the camp was awakened by a fire–the cookhouse engulfed in flames. In addition, it spread to the commissary, warehouse, office and oil shed. Fortunately, there were no winds where the fire could spread further. When all was said and done, Camp 10 timekeeper, George Farris commented, “It was the most spectacular fire I had ever seen.”
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It remained in service until 1952, but burned down in 1950?
I was at Camp 10 when the fire erupted. It must have been in 1952 because the camp closed down permanently after the fire.
The next morning we went to the area of the commissary and gathered beer cans which we punctured with nails and made a showery spectacle. The blacksmith seeing us kids doing this ordered us to collect them and throw them in his quenching tank.