Inventory of the C. Fred Landenberger Papers, 1883 – 1988

Descriptive Summary

Abstract: C. Fred Landenberger worked with several organizations in California related to forest conservation and protection throughout his career, including the California Redwood Association, Redwood Region Conservation Council, California Forest Protective Association, and Forest Landowners of California.

This collection includes research notes, articles, newspaper clippings, and documents pertaining to logging, the lumber industry, forest conservation, and forest fire protection efforts in California from the 1890s through the 1980s. Also included are photographs showing various aspects of logging, the lumber industry, natural forest damage from animals and flooding, forest management, and the work of the California Redwood Association and the California Forest Protective Association. Some photos include descriptions written by Landenberger.

Title: C. Fred Landenberger Papers, 1883 – 1988

Creator: Landenberger, C. Fred

Repository: Forest History Society Library and Archives

Call Number: 2017-004

Language of Material: Material in English

Extent: 1.5 linear feet (1 record carton, 1 archival box)

Biographical Note

C. Fred Landenberger worked with several organizations in California related to forest conservation and protection throughout his career, including the California Redwood Association, Redwood Region Conservation Council, California Forest Protective Association, and Forest Landowners of California.

He served as Forester for the California Redwood Association until 1961 when he stepped down to become Secretary-Manager of the Redwood Region Conservation Council in Santa Rosa, California. He later served as part of the California Forest Protective Association and was president of the Rotary Club of Eureka from 1967 to 1968. As First Vice President of Forest Landowners of California, Landenberger testified on August 18, 1993, at an informal hearing of California’s Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildlife, regarding the impact President Clinton’s Forest Plan would have on California forests.

Collection Overview

Collection Arrangement

1. Research Files, 1883-1988.
2. Correspondence and Writings, 1960-1988.
3. Photographs, 1890s-1970s.

Subject Headings

California Forest Protective Association
California Redwood Association
Fritz, Emanuel, 1886-
Forest management — West (U.S.)
Landenberger, C. Fred
Logging — United States — History — 19th century
Logging — United States — History — 20th century
Log transportation — United States — 20th century

Detailed Description of the Collection

1. Research Files, 1883-1988.

1. The Timberman Clippings, 1920-1960.

Copies of articles related to California logging and lumber industry from The Timberman publication.

Folder 1.1
1920s
Folder 1.2
1930s
Folder 1.3
1940-1941
Folder 1.4
1942-1943
Folder 1.5
1944-1946
Folder 1.6
1947-1949
Folder 1.7
1950-1951
Folder 1.8
1952-1953
Folder 1.9
1954-1955
Folder 1.10
1956-1957
Folder 1.11
1958-1960
Folder 1.12
First 50 Years, October 1949
Folder 1.13
Yarder and Tractor History, 1949
Folder 1.14
Logging Arches and High Wheels History, 1949
Folder 1.15
Truck Logging History, 1949
Folder 1.16
Railroad Logging History, 1949
Folder 1.17
Pacific Logging Congress Eureka, October 7-9, 1936

2. Formation and Early meetings of California Forest Protective Association, 1909-1917.

Includes articles of Incorporation for California Protective Association, 1912, and meeting notes.

Folder 2.1

3. Notes on The Timberman Articles and California Forest Protective Association.

Notes made by Landenberger on articles included in Subseries 1 of this collection.

Folder 3.1
1917-1929 (Includes copy of a 1920 logging company ledger.)
Folder 3.2
1930-1939
Folder 3.3
1940-1949
Folder 3.4
1950-1959

4. Redwood Companies – Historical References.

Folder 4.1

5. Humboldt Redwood Reforestation Association, 1923-1935.

Includes the following: “The Redwood Reforester” Vol. 1 No. 4, 1925 and Vol. 2 No. 1 (no date) published by Humboldt Redwood Reforestation Association, “Commercial Planning on Redwood Cut-over Lands” July 1937 published by the USDA, newspaper clippings, and correspondence and agreements between Humboldt Redwood Reforestation Association and State of California Division of Forestry, California Forest Protective Association, lumber companies, regarding fire suppression costs.

Folder 5.1

6. Redwood Strike, 1946-1948.

Original newspaper articles on striking lumber workers for The Humboldt Times, 1946 and San Francisco Chronicle, 1948.

Folder 6.1

7. Russian Logging at Fort Ross.

Folder 7.1

8. Redwood Harvesting Article, California Division of Forestry, draft, 1972.

Folder 8.1

9. S. J. Hall Lecture – Henry K. Trobitz, 1982.

Original and copy of the lecture brochure containing Trobitz remarks, the subject of which were 30 years of redwood forestry.

Folder 9.1

10. Redwood Region Conservation Council, 1961.

Folder 10.1

11. Pamphlets, c. 1950-1983.

Includes: “Trees, Shrubs, and Flowers of Redwood Region” published c. 1950s and “The Role of the Forester in California” published in 1983 by The Society of American Forester.

Folder 11.1

12. “A Story of Industry” by Earl B. Roberts, c. 1940s.

Original copy, by section, of “A Story of Industry” published as a series of articles in Eureka newspaper from 1941-1947.

Folder 12.1

13. Wages and Wood Costs Documents, 1890s.

An original sheet, dated March 12, 1898, with a list of wages for lumber employees by position and company. Includes the following lumber companies: Humboldt Lumber Mill Company, River Lumber Company, Isac Minor, McKay Company, Elk River Mill and Lumber Company, Pacific Lumber Company, Elk River Valley Lumber Company, D. Newell. Also included is a letter, dated October 24, 1891, from Humboldt Lumber Manufacture’s Association listing the cost of redwood.

Folder 13.1

14. Logging Related Newspaper Clippings, 1883-1965.

Includes classified job postings from June 16, 1883 and a profile on logging workers in the early 20th century from November 14, 1965.

Folder 14.1

2. Correspondence and Writings, 1960-1988.

Letters written to Landenberger containing information on redwoods. Items written by Landenberger including photo captions and publications for California Forest Protective Association.

1. Letters and Photograph Notes, 1960s.

Letters written to Landenberger and notes on photographs that are not matched to specific photographs included in the photograph series of this collection.

Folder 2.1.1

2. “Gains and Losses California Forest Protective Association 1909-1988,” 1988.

A publication written by C.F. Landenberger in 1988 covering the history of the California Forest Protective Association.

Folder 2.2.1

3. Photographs, 1890s-1970s.

All photographs are black and white prints, some taken by Landenberger or containing descriptions as noted.

1. 5th World Forestry Congress Tour, 1960.

Photos taken by C. Fred Landenberger, some with negatives and descriptions, of forests and logging operations tour of during the 5th World Forestry Congress Tour of the west coast.

Folder 3.1.1

2. 1964 Flood.

Folder 3.2.1 – Damage to Bridges and Roads
Photos labeled as North Rio Dell Bridge, Klamath Bridge
Folder 3.2.2 – From North Coast Timber Association
Aerial photos of flood waters, damages to buildings and property. Contains note that photos are from the North Coast Timber Association.
Folder 3.2.3 – South Fork Eel – Pix Roll #1
Photos of road damage, Rio Dell-Scotia Bridge, and Pacific Lumber Company.
Folder 3.2.4 – South Fork Eel – Cummings – Pix Roll #2
Aerial photos of damage and flooding of roads and bridges.
Folder 3.2.5 – Myers Flat – South Fork – Pix Roll #3
Aerial photos of damage and flooding.
Folder 3.2.6 – 299 Willow Creek – Pix Roll #4
Folder 3.2.7 – Hoop Highway 96 – Pix Roll #5
Aerial photos of damage and flooding.
Folder 3.2.8 – Orleans Highway 96 – Pix Roll #6
Aerial photos of damage and flooding.
Folder 3.2.9 – Klamath Bridge – Pix Roll #7
Bridge damage and reconstruction.
Folder 3.2.10 – North Rio Dell Bridge – Pix Roll #8

3. Forest Management.

Folder 3.3.1 – Animal Damage
Photos of damage by deer and bear and Emanuel Fritz and foresters examining areas. Photos and descriptions by Landenberger, some negatives included.
Folder 3.3.2 – Rockport Redwood
Folder 3.3.3 – Seed Extraction, 1957-1958
Photos of Douglas fir and redwood seed extraction with desperation by Landenberger.
Folder 3.3.4 – Arcata Community Forest, c. 1954
Photos of ceremony at Arcata Community Forest.
Folder 3.3.5 – RRCC Junior Logging Conference, 1957
Photos of nursery and planting with descriptions by Landenberger.
Folder 3.3.6 – Demonstration Forest
Folder 3.3.7 – Christmas Tree Farm
Folder 3.3.8 – William-Tudor-Gardiner Tree Farm, 1958
Photos of dedication ceremony with press release for California Redwood Association. Photos with descriptions by Landenberger.
Folder 3.3.9 – Tree Farms 1950-1960
Aerial and ground photos of redwood tree farms featuring Emanuel Fritz, Charles A. Anderson, Eugene A. Hofsted, Vernon, Brightman, Fred Landenberger, and Union Lumber Company. Photos with descriptions by Landenberger.
Folder 3.3.10 – Young Growth Sequence Weyerhaeuser Company, 1940-1970
Photos showing tree farms and growth, some labeled property of Weyerhaeuser Company or property of American Forest Products Corporation. Contains letter from Jim Hartley at Simpson Timber Company describing photo set.
Folder 3.3.11 – Young Growth Del Norte County, 1918-1965
Photocopies of photos showing comparison of two areas of regrowth, one showing 1918 and 1965, the other showing 1930 and 1965.
Folder 3.3.12 – Young Growth Redwood and Douglas Fir, c. 1957
Photos with descriptions by Landenberger for California Redwood Association.
Folder 3.3.13 – Second Growth Redwood, 1950
Photos with descriptions by Landenberger for California Redwood Association. Contains note about tree size-age related to thinning.
Folder 3.3.14 – Second Growth Thinning
Photos with descriptions by Landenberger. Contains correspondence between Landenberger and Silas Carr at Gualala Redwoods regarding photos and descriptions in series showing thinning operations by Gualala Redwoods.
Folder 3.3.15 – Photo Report Second Growth Thinning, 1958
Report compiled by Landenberger of photos and descriptions of Gualala Redwoods tree farm thinning operations.
Folder 3.3.16 – Second Growth, 1920s
Folder 3.3.17 – Mountain Home State Forest, 1971
Photos from California Division of Forestry showing old and new growth sequoias and clear cuts.
Folder 3.3.18 – Redwood Mills
Photo of unidentified man with Palco Fiber AR wood fiber bundles.
Folder 3.3.19 – Bull Creek Study, 1959
Photos showing Bull Creek Flat area trees in danger of being washed away.

4. Logging, c. 1890s-1960s.

Folder 3.4.1 – Logging Operations c. 1890s-1930s
Photos feature logging with donkeys.

Box 2

Folder 3.4.2 – Logging Operations c. 1900s-1920s
Photos with some negatives of logging camps and moving lumber by train.
Folder 3.4.3 – Humboldt County Redwood, c. 1890s-1900s
Photos by A. W. Ericson, Ericson Brothers of Arcata, California.
Folder 3.4.4 – Felled Redwoods, c. 1890s-1930s
Photos of workers with felled trees at Fort Bragg, California.
Folder 3.4.5 – Logging Camp Hotel, c. early 1900s
Photo of hotel with cleared forest in background.
Folder 3.4.6 – “Rare View of California” Cards, c. early 1900s
Partial set of photo cards from Edgar Cherry and California Art Gallery, Santa Rosa, California showing aspects of logging operations including mills, workers, and movement of lumber by train and water.
Folder 3.4.7 – Forest of Nicene Marks, Santa Cruz Company c. early 1900s
Photos and negatives of logging operations, mill, housing, Kent House, and Kent Grocery Store.
Folder 3.4.8 – Arcata Redwood Company, 1958
Cut redwood tree being moved to National Retail Lumber Dealer Association Expose at Chicago Amphitheater, Southern Pacific Railroad.
Folder 3.4.9 – Pacific Lumber Company, 1950s
Photos of Elinor Flat logging and thinning with Larry McCollum identified.
Folder 3.4.10 – Hammond Van Duzen, 1950s – 1969s
Photos with some negatives of selective logging and felling old growth tree.
Folder 3.4.11 – Junior Logging Conferences, 1950s – 1960s
Photos and some negatives of felling, Jackson State Forest, and Willits Products Company with Oscar Knivila, Logging Supervisor.
Folder 3.4.12 – Log Piles, c. 1950s
Folder 3.4.13 – Canyon Acres Tree Farm Selective Logging, 1954
Folder 3.4.14 – Selective Logging, c. 1950s – 1960s
Contains labeled photo of Simpson Redwood Company, Korbel Woods, 1957.
Folder 3.4.15 – General Logging, c. 1950s
Photos of Jackson State Forest, Pacific Coast Company, and logging equipment.
Folder 3.4.16 – Regrowth, 1907-1961
Labeled photos of 1) South Scotia Bridge, Humboldt County redwoods cut in 1910 and regrowth in 1961, 2) Noyo River, Mendocino County redwoods cut in 1907 and regrowth in 1951, 3) Emanuel Fritz and Noel Olson visiting Union Lumber Company cutting plot in 1957 that was clear cut in 1923 to see regrowth.

5. California Redwood Association, c. 1950s -1960s.

Photos pertaining to California Redwood Association staff and work. Includes staff photos from 1952 and 1957, photos from events, stills from California Redwood Association movie “The Forever Living Forest”, photo of Fred Landenberger with 135 year old redwood, and photos of Fort Ross in 1959 or 1960.

Folder 3.5.1 – Regrowth, 1907-1961

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Copyright Notice

The nature of the Forest History Society’s archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Forest History Society claims only physical ownership of most archival materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], C. Fred Landenberger Papers, Library and Archives, Forest History Society, Durham, NC, USA.

Acquisitions Information

Received from Christi Heintz, C. Fred Landenberger’s daughter, in March 2016.

Processing Information

Processed by Christin Lampkowski, May 2017.

Encoded by Christin Lampkowski, May 2017.

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