50 years ago: Teen ropes berth in National Rodeo Finals

50 years ago Population 3,179 (U.S. Census 1960 and 1970) Rodeo: Lincoln's 15-year-old Jim Jones and his partner, Kevet Parker of Davis, will be among 48 students representing California at the National High School Rodeo Finals in Gallup, New Mexico, this week. The two qualified at the High School State Finals last month by placing second in the team roping event. The duo left last week on the 1,200-mile trip wearing buckles they won at the state finals, their horses and their best ropes packed away in their rope sacks. Despite the expense of qualifying, traveling, horse care and other costs, the two feel that it is worthwhile. Also advancing with Jones in the State Finals last month were Larry Williams and Sondra Williams. The two were among the 60 students representing the district. A total of nine districts were represented at Santa Maria. Larry was the best all-around cowboy in the district. He qualified for the state event in calf roping and team roping. Sondra competed in the poles. School farm: A far-reaching plan for the development of Lincoln High's productive agricultural farm on the westside was presented by instructor Nick Greco at Monday night's meeting of the Westen Placer Unified School District Board of Trustees. The project, which will be before the board again in September for approval or disapproval, is billed as a complete, practical approach to agricultural science. Note: The Lincoln High School/FFA farm is the largest of its kind in the U.S. FFA (Future Farmers of America) and other students typically work on the farm in two class period increments vs. one class period in other subjects. My thanks to the FFA Officers I spoke with during a visit to the Lincoln Area Archives Museum. 75 years ago Population 2,410 (U.S. Census 1940 and 1950) GMcB sales: Gladding, McBean & Company, the west's largest clay products firm, announced record sales for the first six months of 1950 in a report to stockholders last week. First-half sales of $10,731,000 yielded a profit of $849,000 or $4.04 a share. This compared with sales of $9,825,000 and profit of $55,000 ($2.64 a share) in the first half of 1949. Profit in the last half of 1949 was $661,000. President Fred B. Ortman reported the company made a $408,000 payment on its loan in the first half, which was $108,000 above the installment due. He said the company has been making research and engineering studies to facilitate rapid conversion of its production should this be required because of the national emergency. City Council: Proposed city ordinances and amendments to ordinances occupied much of the time of the city council last Tuesday night in its regular monthly meeting. At least three such ordinances were given consideration with all of them expected to be worked out in the near future. The ordinance which will affect most people concerns the numbering of houses, a project which was started several months ago. According to plans, the numbering will be made mandatory with the residents probably having to register their houses at the city clerk's office. The house number will then be issued by that office. The ordinance will be based on the plan originally worked out by the Chamber of Commerce. 100 years ago Population 1,324 (U.S. Census 1900, 1910, and 1920) Terra Cotta: With the shipment of an immense bell panel next week, the terra cotta order for the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph building in San Francisco was finally completed. This is the largest terra cotta order ever manufactured in Lincoln. The company has been working on it for over a year. Grapes: A friend coming in from the country past the S.C. Painter ranch about a mile west of town stopped for a few minutes and gathered a few bunches of grapes for the News-Messenger force, and let us tell you they were good. The point we wish to bring to mind is that the variety was Thompson Seedless and grown without irrigation, and that Mr. Painter picked twenty tons from three and one-half acres, which is conceded to be considerably above the average, considering the circumstances. Mr. Painter also has a large number of bearing almond trees, also doing well without water. Refrigerator: Alexander E. Buck has had a refrigidaire just installed and ice is made while you wait. The electric light, stove and other conveniences furnished by the electric power being in this district has made it possible for the ranchers to have all the conveniences of a city life. Fruit: Up to last night the Stewart Fruit Company had shipped 39 cars of fruit from Lincoln, and the Lincoln Fruit Growers 59 cars, total 98 cars, with more to come. Manhole: A new sewer and manhole is being constructed on H Street for the convenience of new homes now being built on that street. Lincoln history: Soldiers marched in Lincoln during its boom years in the early 1860s. They drilled regularly near the northwest corner of 5th and G Streets. The drill grounds were then an open, unpaved plaza in front of the railroad depot. What was the military doing in this mere village on the banks of Auburn Ravine? The Lincoln and Virginia Union Guard was organized in May of 1862. Officially it was called Company D, First Battalion of Infantry, Fourth Brigade, N.G.C. (National Guard). The rank and file consisted of 33 local men. Commissions were issued May 21, 1862, for Captain, First Lieutenant, Senior Second Lieutenant, and Junior Second Lieutenant. New officers were commissioned in 1864 and 1866. Equipment for the group was issued by the State of California – 40 muskets and cartridge boxes, but no uniforms. Nationally, the Civil War was being fought during this time. The Lincoln company was mustered out of service by the state after four years (without seeing active duty) on July 31, 1866. The year 1866 will be seen as one of the major turning points of Lincoln's early history – the end of the initial boom. Source: "Lincoln Area History Review, Indian Era to 1980" by Jerry Logan. The Lincoln Area Archives Museum has several books for sale written by Jerry Logan. Mr. Logan came from a Lincoln pioneer family. He is also one of the founders of the museum. The museum is located in Beermann Plaza, 640 5th Street. The hours are Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Downtown walking tours are available by appointment. I highly recommend the tour to newcomers and lifelong residents.