Dear Friends of the Depot, The May board meeting is tonight, Monday, May 8th in the Depot Freight House, 5:30pm. There will be railroad video and snacks before the meeting at 5pm. Sincerely, Larry Esau, President

Kingsburg Depot's cover photo

Historic <br />Kingsburg<br />Depot

HISTORY SNAPSHOT BY MIKE DUNN – A.A. Miller, Kingsburg Station Agent 1912-24 - Part II Part I of this series introduced Andrew A. Miller, a young railroad telegraph operator that found his way in 1902 to a small Southern Pacific depot in Lillis California, two miles west of Laton. After marrying Zillah Bell Crews there, Miller’s career with Southern Pacific took him to Tehachapi, Coalinga, Lancaster, Armona, Fresno, and Reedley, and in the fall of 1909 he was assigned as the station agent in Sanger. It is there we continue his story. Andrew, Zillah and their three children became an integral part of the Sanger community. Miller was determined to set an example of good citizenship for his children, and he and Zillah became keenly aware of their parental obligation to raise their children in a way that would build character and integrity. Toward this goal, Miller frequently consulted Rev. Don Allen for advice on books that would be good reading for his family. Andrew and Zillah enjoyed the fellowship of Pastor Allen at the Sanger Methodist Episcopal Church. It was only natural that the good pastor invited the Miller family to attend a Dan Shannon tabernacle meeting organized by a union of churches in January 1910. Andrew and Zillah accepted the invitation. Rev. Allen recalled: “One evening it was my privilege and has been and will be my everlasting joy to lead Brother and Sister Miller to the altar, where they were soundly converted. After the meeting closed this couple came to the Methodist Episcopal Church where I baptized them and took them into membership. They became workers at once; fruit bearing branches.” Miller quickly assumed a leadership role in the Sanger church, leading the Epworth League, whose purpose was the promotion of intelligent and vital piety among young people. His compassion for developing strong moral character in young adults extended to the community of Sanger as a member of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) where he became a leader in the effort to build and equip a new YMCA building and playground. In the fall of 1911 Miller was promoted to the post of station agent in Kingsburg. By this time his family had taken in a 10-year-old girl named Myra Matthews, listed in the 1910 Census as a housekeeper. Given the size of their household it is unlikely the Miller family lived in the Sanger Depot, similar in size to the Kingsburg Depot. They decided the best course of action would be for Andrew to relocate to Kingsburg in December 1911, but Zillah and the family would remain in Sanger until such time as more accommodating living conditions could be arranged. Miller took residence in the apartment above the Kingsburg Depot and also commuted between Kingsburg and Sanger until the spring of 1913. He acquired property on the Southwest corner of Draper and Washington Streets, and on this site he built the first apartment complex in Kingsburg, large enough to accommodate his family and three tenants. The apartment complex was named “Zillanda”, a combination of the names “Zillah” and “Andrew A.” Zillah and the children joined Andrew in in Kingsburg in May 1913, and they were eager to embrace their new hometown. Next month we will examine the breadth of the Miller family’s contributions to the social, civic and business community of Kingsburg they lovingly embraced and called their home.

Dear Friends of the Historic Kingsburg Depot, The April board meeting is next Monday April 10 at 5:30pm in the Depot Freight House. Railroad video and refreshments in advance of the meeting at 5pm. Sincerely, Larry Esau, President Friends of the Historic Kingsburg Depot president@kingsburgdepot.org (559) 341-1978

Timeline Photos

Ron has sold his home and is moving from the area today, and we will miss him greatly. He has been involved with the Depot from the very beginning of the restoration, and has served as our corporation Vice-President the past several years. Ron has been instrumental in completion of the Depot. We have benefited greatly from his knowledge and dedication. He has been a team leader, has displayed great ability in carpentry, plumbing and painting, has set the standard of excellence for the quality of work done at the Depot, and has in fact trained our volunteers in the skills necessary to do the work. We would be nowhere near completion of the Depot without his dedication, enthusiasm, and his many hours of work. Sincerely, Larry Esau, President Friends of the Historic Kingsburg Depot

Hillcrest

HOPE YOU ARE HAVING A WONDERFUL SPRING! HILLCREST TREE FARM – Last week the Depot had the honor of hosting the Hillcrest Tree Farm members from Reedley. They enjoyed a presentation about the Depot and a tour of the facilities, and expressed their support in the form of a generous donation. Thanks Hillcrest! As many of you know, Hillcrest Tree Farm near Reedley operates a live steam railroad you can ride, and hosts many great events. Check them out at http://hillcrestreedley.com/. UNION PACIFIC FOUNDATION – We were notified the Depot will receive a $10,000 grant from the Union Pacific Foundation in support of our educational programs. Union Pacific also sent locomotives for display at our Grand Opening in September. Thanks Union Pacific!

Depot board meeting Monday 3/13 5:30pm Sincerely, Larry

Attached is a Public Television spot currently airing on Channel 18 that credits the Kingsburg Depot - this is a result of our involvement with PBS Kids Day at the Depot a few weeks ago. Pretty neat! Larry

Saturday, 12 Depot volunteers completed reclaiming a huge load of 110-year-old materials from the last of three salvage houses given to Friends of the Historic Kingsburg Depot. This is in addition to a large load reclaimed from another house on February 4th. The old houses were slated for demolition soon, and our volunteers moved quickly to reclaim materials from them. These fine folks all came out to work not knowing if the day would be windy or wet. It turned out to be a beautiful day. 13 members total were involved in reclaiming materials from these houses. All of this work, much of it heavy, was done without an injury, an outstanding outcome. The reclaimed materials from these houses will be invaluable in construction of several projects around the Depot. Thank you volunteers! And huge thanks to Mayor Michelle Roman who obtained permission for Friends to salvage these houses! Sincerely, Larry Esau, President

Historic <br />Kingsburg<br />Depot

HISTORY SNAPSHOTS – Member Mike Dunn is doing research and writing mini-history snapshots for use with students and the general public. This is his first snapshot: Tragedy Strikes the Kingsburg Depot Telegraph Operator Harold E. Spraker and his family were themselves recent arrivals to the Kingsburg community, having been appointed to his position as Railroad Station Agent in late 1926 or early 1927. Mr. Spraker served as the Kingsburg Station Agent until 1933, having previously served in the same position for the Southern Pacific Company in Sanger, CA for at least nine years. Shortly after his arrival to Kingsburg, Mr. Spraker met the young and energetic Ford Crawford, finding in him a number of familiar qualities: hardworking, studious, and well suited for a career with the railroad. Mr. Spraker hired young Ford as a night telegraph operator at the Depot. The evening work would allow Ford to attend Kingsburg High School during the day and still provide a means of support. THE DEPOT TELEGRAPH February 2017 The Depot Telegraph© is published by Friends of the Historic Kingsburg Depot, P.O. Box 646, Kingsburg CA 93631. All rights reserved. www.kingsburgdepot.org Ford Crawford was only 20 years old when he arrived in Kingsburg, and was excited to become part of the community. Like Agent Spraker, his high school education had been interrupted and he was eager to continue at Kingsburg High School to graduate in June. The cause of the interruption is unknown, but his family lived in San Bernardino when he came to Kingsburg. With a pleasant demeanor, Ford quickly became close friends with others in the KHS Class of 1928. Luther Linda and Robert Diehl were reportedly his two closest friends. One evening, just one month before his scheduled high school graduation, tragedy struck. Commensurate with his duties as the SP telegraph operator, notices were routinely attached to an apparatus, enabling the trainmen to retrieve a telegraph message without stopping. On the evening of May 10, 1928 the trainmen were unable to retrieve the telegram. Consequently, Ford proceeded to jump on to the train as it passed to deliver the message. It was then that young Ford Crawford slipped and fell, and several rail cars passed over him to the horror of all who saw it or heard about it. After his death his close friend, Luther Linda was at the depot and was involved in assisting with recovery of his friend’s remains. Ford Crawford’s body was buried in San Bernardino after his classmates and the community held a memorial service at the High School. Harold Spraker continued to serve as the Kingsburg Station Agent until 1937 when he was assigned to serve as the Station Agent at the Hanford Southern Pacific Depot. By 1951 Harold and Lena had moved to Fresno, where they retired. (Sources: Bit of Sweden in the Desert, Mathis, p 14; 1926-1929 Fresno County Directory; U.S. Census data; Kingsburg Recorder article May 18, 1928)

Timeline Photos

Teachers! You won't want to miss the "Meet You at The Station" professional learning opportunity on March 18, 2017. Register at http://www.aimsedu.org/meet-you-at-the-station/

Kingsburg Economic Development