|
The
Veteran Homesteaders and Settlers
in the Klamath Basin |
 WWII veteran homesteader Bill Macy, 1947 |
In the early 1920's
until 1949, the Federal Government invited war veterans to apply to win
homesteads with "water appurtenant to that land" to feed a hungry world.
This 'Greatest Generation' was honored for defending FREEDOM in
America and on foreign soil. Veterans came in groups to Tulelake in the Klamath Project; they were young people in their early 20's. They had no roads, no electricity, no water. They built a community. See Homesteaders with Photos and Story ( Thanks: Web Team) Read their stories .... their real stories ..... take the time.. read their stories . |
| The
documentary Homesteading
in a Promised Land
is
a 100-year story as told by family settlers of the Tulelake Basin. 24 settlers
tell the story, and more than 80 people participated in creating this
film. When Tule Lake was drained and diverted into canals, lakes and storage reservoirs, near the turn of the century, people came to settle the land. Many of the following audio clips, original versions of their personal feelings, were taken of the settlers while making this video. Go HERE for audio page. |
|
<
A Merry Christmas
card, December 25, 1944,
to a soldier's
parents in California. Jacl Newkirk was 18,
WWII, in Paris, later to win a Tulelake, Klamath
Project, homestead with water rights forever,
for his service in the war. He was lonesome and
homesick, trying to be optimistic and give his
family hope, but not knowing if he'd survive to
return home. Veterans, we appreciate your
service!
Tulelake Monument Honors Homesteaders, H&N 9/11/15.
See an Original Deed, signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, shows water rights
Letter from President Harry Truman to Paul Rogers after his service in WWII.
IN MEMORY of Herbert Schwarz 'a man, an era, a government, are mourned' December 2003.
Interview by Nick Schultz, Delphina and Paul Macy
Interview by Nick Schultz, Paul Christy
Five Short Homesteader Stories, Osborne, Hall, Schey, Bolesta, Buckingham
Interview by Nick Schultz, George and Theresa Smith
Story by Helen Newkirk Shuss, Jack Newkirk Family, with photo, Homesteaded 1949, Panhandle
< Eleanor Bolesta, former WWII Wave, Tulelake Homesteader
75
years ago, March 13, 1947 - War Veterans Win
Tulelake Homesteads
"Eighty-five veterans of
the last war, some still wearing a jacket, shirt or a
pair of trousers issued to them while in the service,
stepped to the platform in the Bureau of Reclamation
hall this morning, laid a finger on a big map and as
winners in the big Tulelake homestead drawing, became
land owners." H&N 3/13/22
Story by Marvin & Kay Cantrell, with photos
Calamity in Klamath, The American Enterprise, October-November 2002 issue. "Paul Christy flew fighter planes in World War II, enlisting within hours of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He earned a Silver Star and a Purple Heart, and is extremely proud to have served his country. But today, when he talks about how he and his neighbors have been treated, tears come to his eyes. "Sixty years ago, I was behind Rommel's lines in North Africa. Today, I'm still fighting, although this time, it's against my own government." (KBC Note: Christy has since died, however he shared his story in the documentary 'Homesteading in a Promised Land')
David Carman, Tulelake Homesteader and WWII veteran, tells about his July 4th memories, 7/3/05
KIXE
PREMIERES HISTORY OF TULELAKE SETTLERS. On July 4,
2005 KIXE-TV, Channel 9 will premiere a locally produced
history of the Tulelake settlers at 8 PM. It is also scheduled
for 10 AM on July 4. HOMESTEADING IN A PROMISED LAND tells the
100 year old story of white settlers in the Tulelake Basin.
Horseradish
Association manager (Wendell Schey) retires --
Another of America’s "greatest generation" is honored,
Klamath Courier posted to KBC 4/21/05
AgLifeNW Magazine November 2004 issue, story by Jacqui Krizo and Mary Palmer, Tulelake homesteaders' daughters, 'Homesteading in a Promised Land' as told by family settlers of the Tulelake Basin
AgLifeNW Magazine, August issue, David Carman testifies on behalf of Klamath Basin Veteran Homesteaders for Field Hearing July 17, 2004
Herald and News October 20, 2004 Scrapbook
Winnie Heiney; Celebrating the Basin’s pioneers, by Lee Juillerat, H&N 9/7/08
Homesteading in the (Tulelake) Basin, H&N 9/15/08. "Philip Krizo returned from war to farm 39 years in the Tule Lake Basin."
1932 WWI Tule Lake Homesteads, H&N, posted to KBC 1/26/12
Photos:
Old Photo Series
1.
Life Magazine Cover Story,
January 20, 1947
Page 2,
Page 3,
Page
4
2.
The old residence of C.
Hill 1916
Aerial Photos showing towns and cropland of
Tulelake,
Merrill
and
Malin
( large photos )
| Tulelake Homesteaders - from Our Greatest Generation, have passed. Fred fought in WWII defending his country; they farmed the rest of their lives to feed a hungry nation. | |||
|
Fred Allen Robison
"After only 19 days of
separation, Fred Allen Robison
rejoined his sweetheart of 64
years. He died in his home" Herald&News 1/9/09 |
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