This lumber community, now gone, played an important role in Lassen County’s history. Hilt, Siskiyou County, California was located near the Oregon border. In 1907, two events occurred that had a profound impact on that community. The Northern California Lumber Company and the Fruit Growers Supply Company were both formed that year. Fruit Growers it should be noted was a purchasing co-operative of the citrus growers, and still is today. In this period, all citrus and vegetables were shipped in wooden boxes. Shortly after the Northern California Lumber Company was formed they purchased the Hilt Sugar Pine Company.
Also in 1907, lumber prices soared due to a number of factors. Fruit Growers had scoured California lumber mills looking to find box shook for its members at a reasonable price. The Northern California Lumber Company since its inception had financial problems. Fruit Growers in a bind, lent the Northern California Lumber money, in return for a guaranteed supply of box shook at a reasonable price. To make a long story short, (you can read the full account in my Fruit Growers book) three years later Fruit Growers took over the troubled Northern California Lumber Company and became owner of a lumber mill and company town known as Hilt.
The citrus growers marketing campaign of the Sunkist brand of oranges paid off with increased production. The growers needed more boxes, and always looking at the bottom line at a reasonable price. To meet their needs, it was decided to expand its lumber operations, and located its second mill at Susanville.
In the fall of 1972, Fruit Growers announced the forthcoming closure of the mill at Hilt. Nearly ten years earlier it had disposed of its Susanville mill. By 2021, Fruit Growers has disposed all of its Northern California timberlands and is now focused in Oregon and Washington.
My grandpa lived in Hilt and worked for Fruit Growers. Nice to read something about it 🙂
My grandparents and great grandparents lived in Hilt. The Fraley’s and the Rayboulds.
Looking for family that worked at the Mill back in the 60’s & 70’s.
Last name Killingworth. Any info would be much appreciated!!
I have got no connection to the place, but just like to randomly research about places like Hilt. Found a pdf signed by the inhabitants of the town petitioning to officially name it Hilt (as some confused it to be Hilts) in 1967.
Dudley and son Pat both drove log trucks for the company.
Hi,
My maiden name was Killingsworth. I lived in Hilt until 1969. My Dad, brother, and many other family members lived there until they had to leave. I have many happy memories of Hilt.It was one of the last “company owned” towns.
Are you looking for a specific person?
My aunt and uncle and 3 cousins lived there in the 60s and 70s they owned the gas station at the bottom of the hill.. Great Ice Cream.. The Marlin Ogren family
My mom lived in Hilt till around 1955. Leona Raybould. Her dad had a small saw mill there. My principal from Cloverdale (Marion Michelon) lived there too
I lived in Hilt in 1968, rode the school bus all the way to Yreka High School. I remember the wooden “sidewalks” put down to prevent walking in the mud. All the little houses, the General Store, the Community Center, and the church…all gone now, as far as I know. ☹️
Church is still there.
My mom and grandparents moved out of there in or around 1952. The Raybould’s. They lived on a ranch on Fraley road
The church and brick schoolhouse are still there.
My husband and I were miners in 1971.
We lived in a one room 12×12 ft miners cabin. Forty miles from the end of the electricity wires in the woods from Hilt Cal. We had 6-8 feet of snow for at least 6 months, snowed in.
No running water except the creek, no electricity, wood cook stove for heat.
I worked as a nurse at Ashland community hospital. I drove out daily to work. I worked swing shift. I’d tell them when I left if I didn’t come in tomorrow, I would see them in April when the snow was gone and the logging roads were clear enough to get out. Once it started snowing it didn’t quit for quite a while. Driving through Hilt one of the last mill towns was sad.
It’s been 47 years and I still dream about living in the woods. The quiet the calm, the snow, baking bread every Thursday with sour dough starter. Having everything we needed for winter in by thanksgiving.
It almost always started snowing on turkey day.
I miss my simpler, life. Such fond memories.
My grandpa was born in Jacksonville, he had a farm outside of hilt, had a small sawmill, gold in the creek. Some of the trees from that farm went to help build Faith Tabernacle in Ashland
That’s such a sweet story. Precious memories. Going through old photo albums of great grandmas with many pictures from family at or working in the lumber camps. Miller and Root names.
I really enjoyed your account. Write a book.
My Grandpa John was the Blacksmith in town of Hilt. Talking to my uncle George Kallvet , town had to always fear a fire , with the town and all the lumber. The town had baseball teams, dances and Indian Motorcycles. Flying fast down the streets . Wooden sidewalks. I have a book on Hilt I just have to find it.
I am 3rd generation Fruit Growers Supply Co. Both of my grandfathers worked for the Susanville plant. My Great Uncle was Manager for a time at both Susanville and Westwood. As the Susanville plant was heading for closure, both my father and uncle transferred to the Hilts operation. My family lived in Hilts for a time, until my mother convinced my father to relocate to Ashland. He commuted until his retirement. I was working for the Hilt operation until its closing in the early 1970’s.
Question, our bar is made from a mill in hilt California. Wondering if this is the mill in hilt California,?
Jessica: Like a bar in your house, or the bar at a bar or restaurant? Tell us more!
My sister and Brother in law bought the old Coles Station in the 1980’s and fixed up the house and had a large asparagus farm for a couple years. Then made it into a B. and B.
I grew up in Ashland from late fifties till late sixties. My father was pastor of the Baptist Church on Hargadine. Some church members lived in Hilt. Our family was invited by Hilt members to go to the “old ghost town” in Hilt in the 60s, but could t get there because river or creek was too high to get through. Went there several years ago and saw the old stage coach station and the school house by the RR tracks. Is there anything left in the old location and is it possible to drive there? Always loved Hilt
I was born in Hilt in 1932. We moved to Chicago when I was 11 years old. Visited there a few times, now it’s gone. Remember my dad driving to Medford before Interstate 5. I wonder what route he took. Gina