Bear Valley in Alpine County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Harry Schimke
Pioneer in His Own Time
— 1917 – 1995 —
Photographed By Syd Whittle, September 1, 2008
1. Harry Schimke Marker
In Appreciation
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 38° 27.603′ N, 120° 2.874′ W. Marker is in Bear Valley, California, in Alpine County. Marker is on Immigrant Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Arnold CA 95223, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Old Emigrant Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Camp Tamarack (approx. 2.1 miles away); Reynold’s House (approx. 2.8 miles away); Bedrock Mortars (approx. 3 miles away); Hermit Valley (approx. 10 miles away); The Last Battle (approx. 10.6 miles away); Route of the Bartleson-Bidwell Party - 1841 (approx. 10.6 miles away); Plasse Resort (approx. 13 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bear Valley.
Regarding Harry Schimke. Harry Schimke was a Stanislaus legend. He started his forestry career during the depression as a summer fire lookout. After serving in World War II, he returned to the Stanislaus' Calaveras Ranger District. During his Calaveras
this page online
Schimke was also instrumental in getting Bear Valley Ski Area on the map. Leaving the Calaveras District, he went to work for the Pacific Southwest Experiment Station. In that capacity, working out of Sonora, he became an early, dogged, and inspired researcher on fuels management: some call him the father of modern controlled burns. Though he lacked an academic degree in forestry, he has at least 10 scientific research publications to his credit. He also did important work in meadow restoration.
After his distinguished, 33-year career in the Forest Service, he became recreation director at Don Pedro Reservoir. In his spare time, he was a historian, writing on subjects with which he had a personal relationship, such as the history of Bear Valley. He had also collected materials for a history of the mysterious Monte Wolfe. Harry Schimke died at age 77 in 1995.
(Source: Early Stanislaus Recollections … Memoirs of Joe Elliott, Jr., http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/stanislaus/heritage/voices/voices29.shtml#CA3)
Photographed By Syd Whittle, September 1, 2008
2. Harry Schimke Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,070 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
