Dad's Tree Farm 1937 - 1942
East of Bigfork, near the Swan River
Soon after the family moved west to the mountains, Dad bought 120 timbered acres east of Bigfork - 1937
Cabin in the Woods
Soon after the family moved west to the mountains, Dad bought 120 timbered acres east of Bigfork - 1937
Cabin in the Woods
First cabin, with Auburn
In the Fall of 1939 Dad and Mr. Young of Lakeside cut Christmas trees on these 120 acres.
They built this cabin so they could live close to the trees for the season.
They built this cabin so they could live close to the trees for the season.
Little Trees
As far as we know, he never planted one tree there except possibly
for re-positioning young seedlings he found growing there.
During a span of many seasons, from 1939 through 1956, he cut many truckloads of perfect little Christmas trees.
As far as we know, he never planted one tree there except possibly
for re-positioning young seedlings he found growing there.
During a span of many seasons, from 1939 through 1956, he cut many truckloads of perfect little Christmas trees.
Christmas trees - 'yarded out' - 1939
When he finished for the season, you couldn’t tell where he’d cut trees.
He cleared excess brush and felled suspect trees, opening up the area to more light and air for healthier remaining trees.
When he cut Christmas trees, he would leave at least one low branch.
Those branches would soon turn vertical and ‘grow up’ into new trees.
In a few seasons, those branches became more little trees, ready for the holidays.
Some of the original trees each produced three generations of Christmas trees, creating a small forest of living ‘candelabras.’
He cleared excess brush and felled suspect trees, opening up the area to more light and air for healthier remaining trees.
When he cut Christmas trees, he would leave at least one low branch.
Those branches would soon turn vertical and ‘grow up’ into new trees.
In a few seasons, those branches became more little trees, ready for the holidays.
Some of the original trees each produced three generations of Christmas trees, creating a small forest of living ‘candelabras.’
End of the Road
Unfortunately, state highway 83 runs through the place now.
It cuts a swath across the ‘truck trail’ which connected the lower and upper cabin areas.
But Dad’s heritage remains alongside the highway.
Unfortunately, state highway 83 runs through the place now.
It cuts a swath across the ‘truck trail’ which connected the lower and upper cabin areas.
But Dad’s heritage remains alongside the highway.
The original road turns north in front of the tree farm, going on past Halverson’s, then back to Kalispell.
This county road has been renamed “Halverson Road”
This county road has been renamed “Halverson Road”
The road turns west, going over the Swan River Bridge, on to Bigfork, then back to Kalispell
Same view, looking west, with deer in road - Winter 1942
A family swim in the Swan
Helen dries off at east end of the bridge