1976: FFA is celebrated; Lincoln High farm is largest in US

50 years ago Population 3,179 (U.S. Census 1960 and 1970) Interpace: Interpace Corp. announced yesterday that an agreement in principle has been reached for the sale of its Lincoln clay products plant and related mining properties to the Pacific Coast Wood Products, Inc. of Sacramento. C. Norman Bowler Jr., president of Interpace heavy clay and minerals division, said "After a long history in Lincoln, the company is gratified that its efforts to sell the plant were successful and is hopeful that operation of the plant by the new owner will provide employment opportunities for the Lincoln community." Pacific Coast Wood Products and its associated companies are leading suppliers and manufacturers of building materials with distribution centers throughout Northern California. Fred Anderson, president of Pacific Coast Wood products, indicated yesterday that further details of the sale and his company's future plans for the local pottery would be forthcoming soon. Divisions of Pacific Coast in the Sacramento area include Anderson Lumber Co., Pacific Supply Co., (a leading distributor of roofing materials), and Arcade Insulation Contractors. There are nine other divisions in Northern California and one in Sparks, Nevada. The selling price of the 100-year-old plant was not announced, but it had been indicated earlier as in the vicinity of $1 million. Interpace had announced plans last month to close the Lincoln plant by April 30 unless a buyer could be found. The same week, about 50 of the plant's employees were laid off. Announcement of the plant's pending closure evidently spurred interest on the part of several potential buyers, including an employee's group which, together with members of the community, pledged over $300,000 towards the plant's purchase. Originating as Gladding, McBean & Co. in 1875, the local plant merged with Lockjoint Co. in 1962 to become Interpace. Pacific Coast will be its third owner within the span of 101 years. The local plant manufactures clay sewer pipe in sizes up to 48 inches in diameter, terra cotta floor tile, roofing tile and architectural products. The 100th birthday of the local plant was celebrated with much fanfare last May with a parade, open house, plaque dedication and dinner. The News Messenger published a special edition. Note: Pacific Coast Building Products bought the plant, restoring the name of Gladding, McBean & Co. The 150th anniversary was celebrated in 2025. If you would like to learn more about the pottery, please visit the Lincoln Area Archives Museum, open Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is a beautiful coffee table style book with fantastic GMcB photos for purchase as well. Museum visits are free of charge; donations are welcome. The museum is non-profit and receives no government funding. If you are interested in volunteering visit or call 916-645-3800. No experience necessary. FFA: The Lincoln News Messenger salutes an outstanding agricultural youth organization during National FFA Week, Feb. 21-28. The 485,000 members at 8,500 high schools are students of vocational agriculture in high schools where they learn skills that prepare them for leadership in America's agricultural future. These young people apply what they learn in school to establish themselves in farming, ranching, or other agricultural related occupations. And today, while the problems of feeding the world are affecting the political and economic course of all nations, it is more important than ever that agriculture in America remain strong. The FFA provides its members the opportunity to excel, to grow and become outstanding youth leaders and dedicated citizens. As local chapters of the FFA meet this week all across America, we are encouraged to note that FFA members are "A Future for America." Note: The Lincoln High FFA Farm is the largest in the U.S. at 940 acres. In February 1976, the Lincoln News Messenger devoted four pages with text and photos to celebrate FFA. 75 years ago Population 2,410 (U.S. Census 1940 and 1950) Radar: A site about three miles west of Lincoln is being contemplated as part of a network of radar stations which is to be set up by the federal government this summer. This fact was made official yesterday when a government official made a survey of landowners in the area. It is understood that the construction of the station would be a relatively expensive proposition. Personnel for manning the station would be furnished by the Army. The number of persons involved is unknown. The area being considered is on land occupied, in part, by Delbert Dowd and Pete Crogh. Veterans: The following information is released by the County Assessor's Office and the Veterans Service Office in Placer County regarding property tax exemption of veterans. Exemptions must be filed between the first Monday in March and the last Monday in May. Exemption blanks must be signed in the presence of any city or county assessor or his or her deputy in their respective offices. On first filing, discharge papers must be presented. The description and location of all of your property is necessary for filing. Valuations of property in any other county or counties must be given. Don't forget to record your sales of purchase contract on or before March 5, 1951, to qualify for exemption. If the veteran does not own real estate property he may file for unsecured personal property. More Lincoln history (Continued from last week's winery story.): The back of the building fit into the excavation so ripened grapes could be brought onto the third story directly off the hill for crushing. Then the resulting juice was carried by hoses down to the second floor and into fermentation vats, then again through hoses to the bottom floor, or cellar, and into barrels for aging. An adjacent granite building, the still-house, served to make brandy. Troughs or flumes constructed of granite carried fermented juices or wine from the fermentation room for use in the distilling process. The California State Fair awards of that era (1860s, 1870s) were dominated by Nickerson's fruits, grapes, wines and brandies. "Of wines he has the Muscat, Hamburg, Peru, Palestine, St. Peters, Traminer, Anglica, Catawba, Isabella and others too numerous to mention. Of brandies he has from the grape, pear, apple, peach and other fruits. Mr. Nickerson's opinion is that the Malaga is the best raisin grape. He puts up tons and tons of dried fruits, which are sent to all portions of the country." Nut trees, fig trees, persimmons, peanuts, berries and melons were also produced in abundance. Apparently, the only fruits he did not feature were citrus. About 1880, after 30 years, Mr. Nickerson sold his ranch, but the new owners were not able to duplicate his success on such a grand scale. The ranch slowly deteriorated, and parts were gradually sold off to individuals for smaller scale farming. Today, the 12-foot granite walls of the 50 by 100-foot cellar are the only obvious trace of a California showplace that put our area in the agricultural spotlight 150 years ago. In our era of narrow specialization, the likes of James Nickerson's splendid ranch are unlikely ever to be duplicated. Source: "Fortuitous Findings in the Lincoln Area Archives" written by Jerry Logan. This book and others written by Mr. Logan, a museum co-founder, are available for purchase in the museum located in Beermann Plaza, 640 5th Street. Thank you for reading! MBO