Siskiyou Pioneer 2021 is Out!!

by Judy E. Bushy

2021 Siskiyou Pioneer

What a joy to receive the brand new, hot off the press publication! Siskiyou County and its MONUMENTS is the name of the latest publication of the Siskiyou County Historical Society.

The unique cover announces that this covers memorials, pillars, plaques, columns, obelisks, cairns, signs and monoliths, and besides that two buildings in Happy Camp are celebrated!

Delighted Despite Delay
You may be wondering why the 2021 book is just coming out, but it should be no surprise to anyone that the Covid and other unforeseen problems impacted the publication, No worried, it was worth waiting for! (Incidentally if you haven’t renewed your membership for 2022 to get the new book for this year, be sure and do so as soon as you can!!

Log High School
The information on the Happy Camp Area starts with the Log High School on E Street and 4th Avenue in Happy Camp. As most old timers in Happy Camp know, the Log High School was “built in 1933 with donated labor and material by the people of Happy Camp on land given by L.H..Newton. Supervised by the High School Building Committee: W.B. Mason, G,R. Humphreys and P.M Toleman.

Karuk People’s Museum
Another site is the Karuk 54256 Second Avenue in Happy Camp. People’s Center Museum (and Gift Shop) in Happy Camp.

Brick Building

1860 Brick Building

Another Building is the J. Camp, Titus and Heil Camp Mercantile and Drug Store. The most notable thing about this building, which is one of the first buildings built in Happy Camp was that it is made of local bricks. That’s why it is usually called “the Brick Building,” by locals. In recent years it has been used by the Evans Mercantile next door. which is closed at present.

Some persons persist in the rumor that John Titus reported that James Camp had the nickname, “Happy” and when he came to Happy Camp he named it after himself. However, anyone careful about history accuracy would know that prospectors coming to “Murderer’s Bar” area in 1951 camped on the Klamath River beside Indian Creek and changed the name to “Happy Camp.”

Until at least 1854, James Camp and his brother were still back in Virginia where the family had moved from New Brunswick. It was in 1857 that Richard Humphries and Lewis Barnes sold their ferry and buildings at Ferry Point to James Camp and John Titus.

J. Camp & Company Came to Happy Camp
Later, the Waldo or Gasquet Trail became more prominent than the Kelsey Trail at Ferry Point they moved to Happy Camp. Henry Doolittle, first postmaster of Happy Camp sold the hotel on Main Street and Bridge Street to Martin Cuddihy. Cuddihy sold a lot across from the hotel to James Camp and Co where they built the Brick Building in 1860.

There are very many interesting Monuments of different sorts in this new Siskiyou Pioneer. There are others that have disappeared, and some yet to be put up. There are many to explore, and you may discover others. Let us know!!

5 comments

  • Butterfly

    I am doing research on Happy Camp. Where can I find older additions of the Siskiyou Pioneer? Thank you

    • Dear Butterfly,
      The Siskiyou Pioneer is published annually by the Siskiyou Historical Society, Although there may be brief messages in other Siskiyou Pioneers the main ones concerning Happy Camp are 1966 Klamath River Issue, 1972 Klamath River Issue No. 2, and 2009 Gold Rush and the Mixing of Cultures of Western Siskiyou County, also the 1971 issue on Indian Tribes of the Siskiyou has information on the Karuk Tribe pages 5-35 and 1957 deals with gold miners. As far as I know, these are all out of print at present, particularly the most recent. They’ve recently moved to Gold Street but by appointment only, no walk-ins, staffed by volunteers. Mailing is to SCHS at P.O.Box 1715, Yreka, CA 96097. They have Facebook page too.
      Also, the Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce intends to publish “The Story of Happy Camp” historical-anthology by many community members for the Slater Fire Victims who lost their old pictures and keepsakes of the Happy Camp Community soon. We didn’t think it would take this long but great deal of information…530-493-2900 staffed by volunteers also.

    • Dear Butterfly,
      The Siskiyou Pioneer is published annually by the Siskiyou Historical Society, Although there may be brief messages in other Siskiyou Pioneers the main ones concerning Happy Camp are 1966 Klamath River Issue, 1972 Klamath River Issue No. 2, and 2009 Gold Rush and the Mixing of Cultures of Western Siskiyou County, also the 1971 issue on Indian Tribes of the Siskiyou has information on the Karuk Tribe pages 5-35 and 1957 deals with gold miners. As far as I know, these are all out of print at present, particularly the most recent. They’ve recently moved to Gold Street but by appointment only, no walk-ins, staffed by volunteers. Mailing is to SCHS at P.O.Box 1715, Yreka, CA 96097. They have Facebook page too.

      Also, the Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce intends to publish “The Story of Happy Camp” historical-anthology by many community members for the Slater Fire Victims who lost their old pictures and keepsakes of the Happy Camp Community soon. We didn’t think it would take this long but great deal of information…530-493-2900 staffed by volunteers also.

  • Gregory Clark

    Dear Judy Bushy,

    How often does a total stranger touch base with you? I hope it isn’t to out of the ordinary. I want to thank you for your messages. I once wished of retiring to Happy Camp, I’m sure many do. So, I would always look at the real estate posting and day dream about my wish coming true. Well things don’t always go the way we wish and dream they will. I am happily retired in San Andreas, a place I didn’t know existed until fate had it’s way with me and I ended up here. I still dream of there, from here. I spent my vacations going to Happy Camp for the Big Foot Days that fell about my birthday in September. A big piece of my heart is there along the Klamath River on a blackberry pick. Oh, I suppose you know how I feel.

    I just wanted to ask, why isn’t there any real estate listed for Happy Camp? It would be nice if a Karuk Tribe trust is investing in reclaiming property. But what is happening? I would love to know. Just a nosey old man trying to understand why my little dream catcher has been gathering dust.

    Thank you for paying me some attention, and I would love a response.

    Yours truly,

    Greg

  • Gregory Clark Thank you for writing, Yes, we can understand day dreaming returning or retiring to Happy Camp, many do! Of course, since the Slater Fire, there have been more changes. You can look at Carrol Nelson’s realty business for some more day dreaming material at http://rivercrealty.com/

    Nelsons have been such faithful supporters of the Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce and I think you’ll find some interesting views and can also look on the Facebook page.

    Bigfoot Jamboree is in the plans for September 2-4 this year, come and celebrate your birthday!! We’ve had sad things with Slater Fire September 8, 2020 but the way the community has helped each other, and the Karuk Tribe provided trailers and RVs to keep families from being homeless after we lost so much. It is sad to see burnt sticks (makes you cry) where beautiful forest used to be, but it is coming back and the town has worked together and helped each other in a great way!!

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