Looking Back Lincoln: 50 years ago - Powerful storm ravages area

50 years ago Population 3,179 (U.S. Census 1960 and 1970) Storm: "It was one of the worst storms I have seen in this area in my 22 years on the job," commented Nick Nicholau, area PG&E manager, about last weekend's gale-force storm which slammed through Northern California. The area was hit with some three inches of rainfall, driven by winds which gusted up to about 60 miles an hour. The last rainfall brought the local total for this weather year up to 13.24 inches, still a far cry from the 21.74 which had fallen to this date last year. Power outages were common, with some isolated cases lasting from Friday night to Monday. Falling trees and tree limbs accounted for many of the power outages as well as broken poles and cross arms and transformers burning out. In town, power was off for several hours starting about 5 p.m. Friday but was restored in most areas by 2 a.m. Saturday. Said Nicholau, "There was a lot of trouble and a lot of downed lines. There were many inconveniences for many PG&E customers and we thank everyone for their patience while they were waiting for power to be restored." A PG&E lineman, called out for special duty because of the storm, was killed when he fell from a utility pole near Fiddyment Road and Sunset Boulevard West near Lincoln. He was reported to have been working on a cross arm when the accident happened. Many barns and sheds in the rural area lost their roofs, and strips of metal roofing, shingles and tar paper roofing were strewn over a wide area. In town as well as in the rural areas, television antennas were damaged or blown down, trees were uprooted and fences blown ever. Ad: In Lincoln, 3-bedroom home with large garage, 1½ lots, $27,500, FHA loan available of $26,850. 4-bedroom, 2-story remodeled home, $23,500, conventional loan of $18,800 available. 4-bedroom home with detached garage, $24,750, FHA loan of $24,100 available. In rural Lincoln, 3-bedroom home on 1½ acres, with NID and good location, $27,500. 75 years ago Population 2,410 (U.S. Census 1940 and 1950) Roller hockey: The Lincoln Roller Hockey team will take on its first competition next Wednesday, Feb. 22, when Rocklin visits at the Mt. Pleasant Skating Rink. A team of 11 local boys have been working out under the direction of Kenny Sizelove for the match. The team has lined up a match with a San Francisco team to be played a few days later. The public is invited to turn out for the match. There will be no admission charge. New high school: Rotarians previewed the new high school, which is now under construction, after their regular luncheon meeting Feb. 3, with the architect, Gordon Stafford, pointing out several unusual features of the buildings. Before making the tour, Mr. Stafford pointed out the present construction will include less than half of the original plans. One important feature, he said, was the controlled lighting. Note: This is the present Lincoln High School. Coal mine: We often hear references to the old "Coal Mine." This was located in a field north of Lincoln. Coal was discovered here in 1874 and from that date until 1884 several persons and companies were interested in developing a coal industry. The coal bunkers and other buildings were destroyed by fire in 1884. Zeigenbaum, Heffner and Company also operated a flour mill in the early days, but it was destroyed by fire in 1867 and never rebuilt. The loss was estimated at $30,000. The next important event in Lincoln's history following the coal excitement was the discovery of clay. A brief statement of the accidental discovery of clay in this locality is of interest. Towle Brothers in 1874 and 1875 used many yoke of oxen in their lumber business during the summer months. During the winter months these oxen were sent down to a cousin of the Towle Brothers – Ed Towle, whose ranch was located north of Lincoln. Here, the oxen were pastured and cared for. Also owned by Towle Brothers was a rolling ridge of poor, rock-covered ground, which when fenced produced early grazing for the work oxen. At the east end of the ridge ran a country road north and south. A trifle over a mile north of Lincoln, this road, to avoid climbing over the ridge, was made to curve eastward and pass over a neighbor's land and around the point of the ridge. An enterprising road builder decided to straighten the country road so he began to cut through the low ridge. He had proceeded for about 10 feet when he ran into a body of pure white Kaolin clay equal to the best Chinese product. Charles A. Gladding, a resident of Chicago who was visiting in California, read an article in one of the metropolitan newspapers telling of the discovery of coal and clay near Lincoln. Mr. Gladding visited Lincoln and secured samples of the clay, which he took East and had tested. He found the clay of excellent quality. He returned to Lincoln and on May 1, 1875, Charles Gladding, Peter McGill McBean and George Chambers formed a company partnership under the name of Gladding, McBean and Company. Their initial capital totaled $12,000 in cash. It was a small factory consisting of a frame shed, one kiln, a pipe press, a set of roller crushers, a few dies, an engine and a pump. With this equipment, the newly formed Gladding, McBean and Company manufactured its first carload of vitrified clay pipe, which was shipped to San Francisco on Aug. 9, 1875. So was established an industry which has made Lincoln famous for its products which are shipped all over the United States and much of the building history of the West can be traced in the growth and development of the Gladding, McBean and Company, one of the oldest industrial organizations in the Pacific Coast region. The company has expanded from its original plant at Lincoln with its 22 employees and three stockholders to an organization of some 3,000 employees, 1,200 stockholders and eight modern plants. As a result of its product diversification, the company today manufactures a wide line of ceramic products ranging from sewer pipe and refractories to ceramic veneer, wall and floor tile and the finest dinnerware made in America – the beautiful Franciscan Ware and Franciscan Fine China. Note: This article was written by Mrs. Mabel Ahart, Lincoln Historian. 100 years ago Population 1,324 (U.S. Census 1900, 1910, 1920) Improvement: To keep abreast of the times and avail themselves of the latest and most approved appliances to properly conduct their extensive warehouse business, Walter Jansen & Son are contemplating the alteration of certain portions of their plant and the installation of several new pieces of machinery. Ad: From PG&E: In order that Pacific Service may continue to be a popular service we solicit and urge the cooperation of our consumers. You can help! No doubt you have suggestions and ideas that, if put into effect, would meet with approval of many people. If you were conducting certain departments of this business there might be something that you would do differently. Let us know. It is possible that we are omitting to do something that you think should be done. Suggestions for improvements in our service will be appreciated. Present your suggestions to our local office where they will receive prompt and careful attention.