I was born at Newman, CA on 2l Sept. l925, lived in Pasadena CA, and moved to June Lake area, Mono Co.,CA in l927. My parents purchased a parcel of land and began building Fern Creek Lodge.2/
My mother, a registered nurse and veteran of WW I, was the only “doctor” for 45 miles north to Bridgeport and 60 miles south to Bishop. In the winter we were snowed in and received our mail and supplies via dog team until around l938. My childhood memories recall my mother trudging off on snowshoes with her “doctor bag” in hand; men broke trail, she followed. Her shortest trip was l l/2 miles to the Southern Sierra Power Plant, the farthermost l2 miles to the Cain Ranch. The “Angel of the Sierras” passed away of pneumonia at age 42.
My father, Vernon A. Meacham, also a veteran of WW I, built Fern Creek Lodge with his own two hands (no power tools in those days). In all he built the lodge & store, living quarters, gas station, ice house and 9 cabins. The example of his sterling character, devotion to family, and making a living--refusing any sort of public assistance--has served me well. I was most fortunate.
The duties I most enjoyed as I grew up at Fern Creek Lodge were guiding our guests on fishing, hunting and horseback trips into the “back country.” The lodge was at an elevation of 7,600 ft and our trips took us to well over l2,000 feet. My older brother Warren and the two Killian boys, our nearest neighbors one and one-half miles distant, backpacked all over the area, paying little heed to the trails. One of our most daring adventures was to scale the face of Carson Peak and continue on to Thousand Island Lakes. Few young people have been as fortunate to have had as good a childhood--no money but a wealth of experience.
In February of l943, at the age of l7, I volunteered for the U. S. Marine Corps and then volunteered again for the Marine Raiders. Two years were spent in the South Pacific. Action was seen as a Browning Automatic Rifleman on four landings--Bougainville, Emirau, Guam, and Okinawa--and one rubber boat landing behind the Japanese lines on Bougainville.
Returning from WW II I married a highschool friend, June Yunker of Bishop, CA, on 22 June l946. Four years later I graduated from Utah State Agricultural College with a Bachelor of Science degree and two sons, Charles and Bruce.
After 35 years in Alaska moved to Sequim, WA in June of l99l to a home which (with the help of a professional carpenter) had taken us five years to build. My father’s training again served me well, and I had power tools.
References:
l/ Meacham, Mitcham, Mitchum. Families of the South, l974. Clarence E. Mitcham. Lib. of Congress 74-75669.
2/ Horseshoe Canyon, l977. Betty Bean. Chalfant Press Inc., Box 787, Bishop, CA 935l4.
3/ Who’s Who in the West, and America. Marquis Who’s Who, 3002 Glenview Rd., Wilmette, IL 6009l.
4/ Congressional Directory l970, U.S. Govt. Printing Office, Washington, D.C..