Yanks in the Redwoods

Sound Bite

Yanks in the Redwoods presents life on the frontier of northern California through individual stories and documentary details of families going about their personal and business activities. Each glimpse of their experience leaves us curious for more; yet added together the evidence belies the myth Americans hold dear, the myth of the noble pioneers, the white settlers as solitary heroes/heroines who on their own tamed a wilderness. These hardy folk were remarkably self-reliant and they did lay the foundations of towns and cities that grew beyond their wildest imaginings; but they succeeded by pulling together, not by going it alone.

The book also highlights the impact of big business in the second half of the 19th century as it destroyed precisely the economic independence and community life which the settlers worked so hard to build.

About the Book

Yanks in the Redwoods tells the story of the exploration and settlement of the Northwest, focusing on a one-hundred-mile region of the Mendocino Coast, 70 miles north of San Francisco.

Covering the period of 1800-1900, the book presents several never-before-published accounts by participants. The founders of the Humboldt Bay Community are seen through the eyes of George Gibbs, Customs Collector, Astoria, OR.

A unique look at the Oregon Trail, derived from the notes jotted down by Jesse Applegate and Stanley and Clarissa Taylor, debunks the Hollywood image of the hostile Indian.

Sparely-written diary entries convey the pungent flavors and kernels of wisdom squeezed out of a life of hard work in a family timber business and the almost speechless surprise when corporations quickly moved in and muscled the founders out of their own enterprises.

The book contains personal accounts by John Work, leader of the Hudson Bay Co. Expedition to the North Coast, and by Jerome and Emily Ford, founders of the Mendocino Lumber Co., and the fraud investigation of Thomas J. Henley. It tells of the founding of Mendocino and Ft. Bragg, the experiences of the Chinese community, the role of 'Dog Hole' schooners, and the opium trade.

The book concludes with excerpts from the diary of Etta Stephens Pullen, a pioneer who relocated from Maine to Little River, California, and the transcript of an interview with Lucy Young, a Wailaki-Lassik Indian telling the grim story of genocide that was going on coincidental with events in Etta Pullen's diary.

Never before has this coastal segment of Northern California been studied in a comprehensive historical book. All of the earliest participant groups, Indians, Yankees and immigrants from the Midwestern and Southern states, northern European immigrants and Chinese, are presented. Wherever possible excerpts from primary sources, written by the people who made this history, are directly quoted. This work will become an example for other Northwest coastal regions to tell their own stories for later generations to enjoy.

Introduction

Yanks in the Redwoods: Carving Out a Life in Northern California draws on personal notes and documentary evidence to piece together a lively, moving account of the exploration and settlement of Northwest California, specifically the Mendocino Coast, a rugged region located about 70 miles north of San Francisco.

Spanning the period from 1800 to 1900, the book offers an in-depth exploration of the people, events, and challenges that shaped this area. The author, Frank H. Baumgardner III, has gathered several never-before-published accounts from the participants of this era, providing a unique, first-hand perspective on this pivotal time in California’s history.

Exploration and Founding Communities: The story begins with the exploration of the area, including the role of George Gibbs, a Customs Collector based in Astoria, Oregon, who provides an inside look at the founding of the Humboldt Bay Community. This rare historical perspective debunks some of the Hollywood portrayals of hostile Native Americans. In fact, Yanks in the Redwoods sheds light on the complex relationships between settlers and the Native Americans they encountered, portraying a more nuanced and respectful interaction than is often assumed.

The Timber Business and Corporate Takeover: Detailed accounts document how the capitalists took control of the timber industry that dominated the region during this time. Using diary entries from families involved in the timber business, Baumgardner conveys the harsh realities of life in the redwoods. These families worked relentlessly to carve out a living, only to be taken by surprise when large corporations swooped in and muscled them out of the businesses they had built from the ground up.

The book does an excellent job of highlighting this economic shift and the impact it had on local communities, marking the beginning of corporate dominance in the region.

The Cultural Tapestry of Mendocino: Baumgardner paints a vivid picture of Mendocino and its neighboring areas, drawing on personal accounts by John Work, leader of the Hudson Bay Company Expedition to the North Coast, and pioneers like Jerome and Emily Ford, who founded the Mendocino Lumber Company. The book also touches on the diverse cultural influences that shaped the area, including the experiences of the Chinese community, who played a significant role in the region's economic development. The often-overlooked role of "Dog Hole" schooners and the opium trade are also explored, further enriching the historical tapestry.

First-Hand Accounts of Hardship and Genocide: One of the most haunting sections of the book is the inclusion of personal stories from the Native American community. Baumgardner includes excerpts from the diary of Etta Stephens Pullen, a Maine-born pioneer who settled in Little River, California, and provides a transcript of an interview with Lucy Young, a Wailaki-Lassik Indian who offers a chilling account of the genocide that was occurring simultaneously with the settlement of the area. This perspective offers a grim reminder of the darker aspects of westward expansion, giving voice to those who suffered the most during this time.

A Comprehensive Historical Perspective: Baumgardner has done an extraordinary job of bringing together the stories of the diverse groups that made this history, setting Yanks in the Redwoods apart from other historical works. The inclusion of primary source material, written by the people who lived through these events, gives the book an authenticity and depth that few other works can match. Readers interested in the history of Northern California, the timber industry, or the cultural interactions between settlers and Native Americans will find this book an invaluable resource.