History Mystery #120: North Fork Festival & Loggers Jamboree

Prepared by Michael Owlyler.

It wasn’t always called the Loggers Jamboree. In 1960, the “North Fork Festival” was organized to raise funds for the North Fork Boosters Club. Back then, the organization of the Festival included activities that tied to logging, at that time a mainstay of the community.

Included in the activities of the North Fork Festival was a chainsaw competition. Though their images are a bit smudged from the aging of the film, this photograph is of the men who entered the competition in the 1960 Festival. You might recognize some of these men and can identify them so we can share their legacy with the community and enhance the history of the Loggers Jamboree.

From left to right, who are these sawyers? What are their full names? In what year did the name of the North Fork Festival change to the Loggers Jamboree? This photograph is from the Shirley Schlichting collection retained by the North Fork History Group, and by helping identify anyone in the photo you’ll help enhance the history of our community.

Today the local event continues the history of 62 years with contests of skill & strength, and support for the community of North Fork. Come see the competitors of today throw axes and run their chainsaws at the 2023 North Fork Jamboree on July 1st and 2nd.

The North Fork Boosters is a non-profit 501c (3) whose purpose is “promoting charitable and educational prosperity in North Fork” and, among many other activities, provides lunches for youth in their summer program. The North Fork History Group (northforkhistorygroup@gmail.com) is a non-profit 501c (3) that, “…gathers, preserves, and shares the history of a community.”

Follow-Up to History Mystery #199: Antique Metal Object

Thanks to all who commented on HM #119. All of the below were posted on SNO Facebook page:

Diana Polly:  A component of a sling shot for flinging ground squirrels over the fence. Lol.

Margaret McQuone-Frech:  This from my sister-in-law. Hmm. With the burner, crucible and long arm it could be parts to a casting centrifuge. If for Lost Wax casting method, the gas part would be used for burn out to make the mold. The crucible to heat the metal, such as silver. I looked online and didn’t see anything similar, but it seems a possibility. There would be a large drum it all fits into, and counterweights, spinner, other parts. Ed doesn’t recognize it as forge equipment, but another possibility. There is an old foundry in Sutter Creek that is starting up as a historical site, might run it by them. https://knightfoundry.com.

Hilary Bowman Casner:  Would the portion on the right have held a flame? Higher res photos of more than one angle might help. Love the History Mysteries!

Mac Shaughnessy:  Portable cooker can’t remember the name but white gas or kerosene went in the left, the lever is a flint striker, took a minute to get it going. Usually you had to prime the burner side to get it going. It’s been 45 years since I seen one, but it worked.

It’s either part of a casting centrifuge, a portable cooker, or just an old-timey squirrel flinger. What do you think?