Looking Back Lincoln: 50 years ago - Mary Beermann school coming down

50 years ago Population 3,179 (U.S. Census 1960 and 1970) The demise of the 54-year-old Lincoln Union Elementary School (Mary Beermann) is sure to revive memories for some two generations of Lincolnites who trudged through its drafty halls and studied in its stuffy rooms. Demolition crews are knocking down the scarred walls and tearing up the well-worn floors on which so many feet have trod. Soon, the old school will be no more. The school was constructed in 1920-21 with the passage of a bond election for $40,000. It originally consisted of the auditorium and six classrooms and was built on the 3rd and F Street property bought in 1912 as a play area for the two-story frame building that served as a school since 1890. In 1966, the poor old Mary Beermann school was found to be suffering from dry rot, termite damage, poor wiring and sagging doors, plus a multitude of other ailments. It did not meet requirements of the Field Act – it just couldn't quite be considered as earthquake-proof, so in 1970 it was vacated. Children were moved mid-year to the new "pod" type Carlin C. Coppin School. The frame building on one corner of the property will be the last to go. This building is a part of the original elementary school and it will be left until last, pending community support of a proposal to move it and retore it as a house museum. Note: At least three generations of Lincolnites were students; I am among them. The recollection of myself and other former students of the Coppin school opening was 1972-73. There was not adequate community support for the project to move and repair the original 1890 frame building. The structure was demolished. To see pictures of both schools, visit the Lincoln Area Archives Museum. 75 years ago Population 2,410 (U.S. Census 1940 and 1950) On record: By Eldridge Trott, Editor/Publisher. In a way, it seems a bit difficult for a person to write an editorial on Thanksgiving in this day and time. It isn't always easy for those living in America to realize just how thankful we should be. For the past several months, the majority of the American people have been riding high and living off the fat of the land. If you don't think so, just stop and look at it this way for a few minutes. The Pilgrims, we will all admit, really had a reason to set aside a day for Thanksgiving. But have you ever tried to be thankful for plenty of food (that's most Americans) when you haven't been hungry? How about good health if you haven't been sick? Do you realize the benefits of fine clothing when you have never been naked? How about trying to be thankful for freedom when you don't know the inside of a prison? Can you recognize the benefits of religion if you have never been where God wasn't allowed? And even the smaller comforts: Do you appreciate soft, warm beds, when you haven't slept on the hard ground? There are the Americans for you — plenty of everything needed for contentment, yet they probably will have difficulty really being thankful this Thanksgiving. I don't think we will be entirely to blame if we don't have a true spirit of Thanksgiving this year, particularly not the same spirit that must have brought our forefathers together many years ago at the end of a blessed harvest. They really had a reason for Thanksgiving as they set there on the New England coast, glad that even a small number lived through the year. They were a handful of people, caught in the edge of a great wilderness with the bleak North Atlantic at their back, and everything they had at the end of that harvest season they gained through their own resources without the aid of anyone except their God. But they were glad to return thanks for what they had and they realized they indeed had reason to be thankful. So, as we sit down to turkey this Thursday, we may find the spirit of thankfulness just a bit difficult when viewed by the standards of the Pilgrims, but perhaps we can offer a little prayer of Thanksgiving that we had forefathers who did find the reason of Thanksgiving through their adversity and courage. 100 years ago Population 1,324 (U.S. Census 1900, 1910, 1920) Fruit: The Lincoln Fruit Growers Association is shipping oranges daily through the fruit house here. The oranges are all exceptionally good quality as to size, color and flavor; in fact, these oranges raised in the fertile foothills adjacent to Lincoln are the finest in the world. Come to think about it, Lincoln and the country tributary has the greatest number of rich resources on earth. We are the clay center of the world. The Gladding, McBean Corporation is the manufacturer of the finest clay products in the world. Our deciduous fruits are the best on earth. Our citrus fruits rank in the same class. Our grain has more protein in the analysis than any other in the West. We have the finest cannery in the world. Our fruit shipping house, which is ably conducted, is growing apace. We have the best city government in the West, the best streets, the best sewer system, the best people and the best opportunities. Are we going to step out? You bet we are, and then some. And say, we have let the contract for the finest water system in the world. Taken altogether, Lincoln leads any other little city beautiful in the United States. This is no idle boast. It is an established fact. We can prove it. Did you ever stop to think that a train load of Lincoln products leave Lincoln each and every day? Some 40 or more cars. And more now as turkey shipments are heavy. Placer County shipped 4,255 cars of deciduous fruit to eastern markets during the 1924 season, which closed early this month. 50 cars are from Lincoln. These figures were compiled by W.J. Wilson of Newcastle, president of the California Fruit Distributors. While this is a great deal less than the record-breaking output of 5,829 cars shipped during the 1923 season, it is about three-fourths of the record output, and compares favorably with the average output of the county during the past five years. Placer County also sent out many grapes to Pacific Coast points, and many cling peaches to the canneries. If you have an interest in Lincoln history, please visit the Lincoln Area Archives Museum in Beermann Plaza, 640 5th Street. The hours are Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For questions or to schedule a downtown walking tour, please call 916-645-3800 and leave a message. The museum is nonprofit, relying solely on donations and memberships. No funds are received from the city, county, nor state. Visit their website at Laamca.org.