Spool Donkey Overlook LbNA #30247 (ARCHIVED)
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Add Location| Owner: | The Olde Oak  |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Apr 21, 2007 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Willits |
| County: | Mendocino |
| State: | California |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Found by: | NancyAnne & Doug |
|---|---|
| Last found: | Jul 15, 2007 |
| Status: | FFFF |
| Last edited: | Apr 21, 2007 |
A spool donkey is a type of stationary steam engine historically used during logging operations to haul logs to a log-landing. Logs were pulled with a wire cable attached to a winch. These engines revolutioned the lumbering industry along the northern California coast during the 19th century and into the early 20th century, especially after development of the vertical spool donkey, a vast improvement over the older horizontal donkey.
But enough of donkeys! An organization in Willits, the Roots of Motive Power are collecting, preserving and restoring old lumbering machinery, much of it saved from rusting out in the woods where many old engines and pieces of machinery were left when their productive days were over. The Roots of Motive Power give classes and have various events. If you are interested look here:
http://www.rootsofmotivepower.com/
To find the Roots of Motive Power and its letterbox drive to Willits. Although the general public are not normally invited in the Roots of Motive Power’s large yard there is a small display right off East Commercial and you can also peer over their fence to see inscrutable old machines. Between June 1st, 2007 through September 9th, a special exhibit will be available in the Learning and Education Center of the Museum. Its hours are Wednesday though Sunday, 10:00 to 4:30 and there is a suggested donation of $5 for families and $2 for adults.
Commercial Street is perpendicular to Highway 101 on the north end of Willits. When you reach it turn in the direction of Grand Junction, Colorado. Pass the old Skunk Train Depot on your right. When you see the Mendocino County Museum a little further on your left pull in and park in front of it. When you are directly in front of the museum on the sidewalk face it. Then turn right and walk until you arrive at the Roots of Motive Power Memorial. Take a look at the machinery. Admire the handsome steam powered spool donkey. Then follow the split rail fence travelling east. If you pass something divine you’re headed in the correct direction. Twenty-five steps after your divine experience cross over the bridge and walk to the closest building. Follow the building to its north side where you will observe two sets of tracks. Stand in the middle of the two sets of tracks next to the building. Look north and find a machine that looks like something devised by Dr. Seuss. Walk to that machine and see if you can picture Thing One and Thing Two cavorting and possibly eating blue goo. After your revery at the machine look to your left. You will see two medium sized oak trees with a pile of rocks at their bases. The Spool Donkey Overlook box will be in there.
Thank you for coming!
But enough of donkeys! An organization in Willits, the Roots of Motive Power are collecting, preserving and restoring old lumbering machinery, much of it saved from rusting out in the woods where many old engines and pieces of machinery were left when their productive days were over. The Roots of Motive Power give classes and have various events. If you are interested look here:
http://www.rootsofmotivepower.com/
To find the Roots of Motive Power and its letterbox drive to Willits. Although the general public are not normally invited in the Roots of Motive Power’s large yard there is a small display right off East Commercial and you can also peer over their fence to see inscrutable old machines. Between June 1st, 2007 through September 9th, a special exhibit will be available in the Learning and Education Center of the Museum. Its hours are Wednesday though Sunday, 10:00 to 4:30 and there is a suggested donation of $5 for families and $2 for adults.
Commercial Street is perpendicular to Highway 101 on the north end of Willits. When you reach it turn in the direction of Grand Junction, Colorado. Pass the old Skunk Train Depot on your right. When you see the Mendocino County Museum a little further on your left pull in and park in front of it. When you are directly in front of the museum on the sidewalk face it. Then turn right and walk until you arrive at the Roots of Motive Power Memorial. Take a look at the machinery. Admire the handsome steam powered spool donkey. Then follow the split rail fence travelling east. If you pass something divine you’re headed in the correct direction. Twenty-five steps after your divine experience cross over the bridge and walk to the closest building. Follow the building to its north side where you will observe two sets of tracks. Stand in the middle of the two sets of tracks next to the building. Look north and find a machine that looks like something devised by Dr. Seuss. Walk to that machine and see if you can picture Thing One and Thing Two cavorting and possibly eating blue goo. After your revery at the machine look to your left. You will see two medium sized oak trees with a pile of rocks at their bases. The Spool Donkey Overlook box will be in there.
Thank you for coming!