Students pictured outside the Pike City Schoolhouse in the 1930s, left to right, Harvey Mohler, Ruth Chatfield, Jim, Carl Chatfield, Helen, Bob Nordyke, and Merle Nordyke, teacher.

ALLEGHANY ~ Sunday May 21, 2023 - The window screens have been installed for the summer. Warm weather prevails. Yesterday we went to the Plant Sale at the Nugget Market in Camptonville. We drove back via Pike City Road, so named in Camptonville. From the Pike City side, it is referred to as “Camptonville Road”. Saturday is not the best day to drive this road though, we met no less than 20 dirt bikes heading in the opposite direction. They did a good job avoiding us, but it was a little nerve racking, especially on the gravelly blind curves.

Last Friday, the 15th, we attended the retirement party for Camptonville Fire Chief Brandi Dudek. The potluck was hosted by the Camptonville Fire Dept. Auxiliary and was held at the Camptonville Community Center. Beautiful fresh cut flower bouquets adorned the tables. Many local residents attended, as well as representatives from the following fire departments: Alleghany & Pike (Pliocene Ridge CSD), Downieville, North San Juan, Sierra City, the US Forest Service and of course Camptonville. Brandi was the first female fire chief in Yuba County. She joined the Camptonville Fire Department in 2009 and took the Chief’s position in 2014. Many of us spoke to her kindness and bravery. We all wish her well in her new chapter of life.

Last week, I mentioned the Annual Pottery Sale held at the Pike City apple orchard barn. The barn is located at the historical Wayman Ranch. I recently learned that the commercial apple orchard there was not as old as I assumed. It was planted in 1949 and operated through approximately 1986. The varieties produced were Golden Delicious, Red Rome and Red Delicious. The barn where the pottery sales were held is original to the ranch and was built by the ranches’ founder Thomas Wayman around 1870. The original orchard was located across the street from it. The Pike City Schoolhouse was located at the end of Pike City Rd. on Old Schoolhouse Rd. where the PG&E substation is now located. That road is also labelled “Camptonville Rd” at the other end and comes out on Ridge Road near Plum Valley. Bob Nordyke graduated from the Pike City School in 1933. His diploma was issued by the Plum Valley School District. What other schools were in the district?

About the author: As a kid in 1975, Rae Bell moved with her family to the Mott Cabin at the Ruby Mine located between Alleghany and Downieville. She and her husband have lived in Alleghany proper since 1992. If you have news or suggestions to share, please send an email to: raebell44@gmail.com