Before we follow Gustaf and Gerda back to Sweden (1911), here are three unwritten postcards from Galeton, Pennsylvania, where Gustaf spent most of his years in America, working at a sawmill and/or lumberyard. (Cf post from 2012-08-31, 1910 US Population Census).
I don't know if Gustaf bought these cards while he was still living in Galeton, or if some friend sent them to him later. There is no printing year on the back of the postcards. In the sidebar, under the heading 'Helpful links', I have some links to web pages related to the history of Galeton and the Pennsylvania lumber industry. So far, I have not found any reference to "the last big log drive" though.
Originally (or when the postcard album got into my hands), these three cards were at the back of album (with some other unwritten/ undated ones). I managed to move them to page 51, as in my opinion they clearly belong in the context of the end of Gustaf's years in America. Even if he may have acquired the cards later, it seems plausible that a decline in the Pennsylvanian lumber industry was part of his decision to return to Sweden.
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| The Last Big Log Drive, Galeton, PA. |
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| The Albertype Co., Brooklyn, N.Y. Domestic 1 Ct. - Foreign 2 Cts. |
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| 54040 - Hardwood Mill, Galeton, Pa. |
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| The Rotograph Co., N.Y., City. (Germany.) Domestic One cent. Foreign Two cents. |
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| The Rotograph Co., N.Y., City. (Germany.) Domestic One cent. Foreign Two cents. |
In the background of Gustaf's postcards the hills have only scattered trees, and in this 1910 era many forestry experts were lamenting the demise of the great eastern forests. I recently drove through Pennsylvania for a holiday in Vermont to see my son and daughter-in-law, and saw that much of New England's forests have returned, though not always with the same species or the giant old growth trees seen floating in that river. Checking Galeton's history it seems it's population almost doubled in the first decade of the 20th century reaching a peak of 4,027 in the 1910 census. Thereafter is quickly declined and now 100 years later it is just a quarter of that. So many industries then, like the tanneries and lumber mills in Pennsylvania, were in decline for lack of resources that it looks like Gustav made a good decision.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike. That's the impression I've been getting as well, from internet searches. Plus, some cards sent to Gustaf from friends during his last years in Galeton also imply that it was getting harder to find jobs, and one or two Swedish friends also returned back to Sweden before he did.
ReplyDeleteA fascinating collection of vintage postcards that covey such a sense of place.
ReplyDeleteOut west we still have log runs down the rivers and a lot of logging going on - especially now with so many fires. If logged soon enough, some of the burned timber can be saved and used.
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