What does Colgate toothpaste and the former railroad community of Wendel have in common? Not much, but a lot.

This is one of those quirky tales  that involves an interesting inquiry, those I have numerous to draw from.  Certain instances such questions can be rather confusing, because the person making such an inquiry is actually clue less of the topic.

In 1992, I received a call from Germany. The caller was attempting to make some initial plans for her boss to visit Wendel, Lassen County. Some of the questions left me perplexed. The first, I could handle question about the nearest international airport, though caller seemed dismayed that Wendel did not have one. The next question, I knew I was entering the “twilight  light zone” wanting to make hotel arrangements at the Holiday Inn in Wendel.

In due time, I was connected to the inquirer-in-chief, Armin de Wendel. He is a part of the Colgate family The family were quite successful with their toothpaste enterprise and were prominent in New York City society. The family were acquainted with the Morans, also New York City residents, and the owners the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway. The Morans persuaded the Wendels into becoming major bondholders for the NCO. The Moran’s in turn honored the family naming a railroad station after them.

When I explained to Armin Wendel the realities, that Wendel was not thriving metropolis he envisioned, and after he received my photographs, he soon lost interest and cancelled travel plans to Wendel.

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