Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 5:30pm: Salt Tram Presentation

Friends of the SALINE VALLEY SALT TRAM

SaltTram.blogspot.com   SalineValleySaltTram@gmail.com
Salt Tram history is rapidly disappearing, and we are striving to rediscover the efforts of our forefathers in order to give proper recognition to their hopes, dreams and abundant sweat from an era that is rapidly fading from our memories. We are actively seeking out information about the mining of Salt in Saline Valley between 1903 and the 1940's, including: documents, photos, articles, stories, artifacts, etc. If you can help us out, please email us at the address above - Thank-you! --Tim and Brian Waag, the Waag brothers (aka E. Clampus Waagus).

Caution (PLEASE READ): Climbing around on the tramway is dangerous because its really old and defnitely unsafe, so don't even think about it. Shoot, just getting to it requires some perilous hiking, and if you don't believe me, just take a look at the Zig Zag Access Trail (or what's left of it). Plus, climbing on it weakens it and endangers your life. Also, the Saline Valley Salt Tram is on the National Register of Historic Places and should be treated with the respect that it deserves. What little remains is of great historic value, and should not be disturbed in any way. Heck, its probably against the law to move parts of the tram around, and certainly a crime to take home some of the few bits of it that remain (though you'd have to ask your friendly local BLM agent for details). So please treat it with the respect it deserves, so that future generations can enjoy whats left, without you messing it up. Really. Please. You can see its listing on the National Register of Historic Places at these web links:
http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/ca/Inyo/state.html
http://www.noehill.com/inyo/nat1974000514.asp

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This post is an update to the following post made in December 2009:

http://salttram.blogspot.com/2009/12/set-your-calendar-for-saturday-march-13.html

Brian and I just finished last Sunday 2/14/10 our Powerpoint Presentation (a mere 45 slides for an hour talk), and we're pretty happy with what we carved out in about 3 or 4 hours. The outline is as follows:

Part I - In the Beginning, There Was Salt! (Tim)
Part II - We Hiked the Bucket Brigade - Round 2! (Brian)
Part III - Conclusion and Questions (Tim & Brian)

If you would like a copy of this Powerpoint Presentation, please email us at:
SalineValleySaltTram@Gmail.com (we need to mail a CD of it to you, as it us
160 meg - due to large number of photos).

Also, we just got this additional information from the Eastern California Museum:

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Friends of ECM Event Website

Friends of the Eastern California Museum
Annual Meeting and Membership Dinner
Saturday, March 13, 2010

Owens Valley High School Multi Purpose Room
202 S. Clay Street, Independence, California

4:00 p.m. –Reception and Preview of the Women of the Eastern Sierra Exhibit at the Museum
5:30 p.m. (Owens Valley High School) - Potluck Dinner, Introduction of Officers, Guest Speakers

Tim and Brian Waag-- Guest Speakers
(Wow, I actually found a photo of the two of us at the Salt Tram - in the SAME photo!)
The Saline Valley Salt Tram

The Waag brothers’ presentation will begin with the genesis of Tennessee-born White Smith's inspiration to build this truly one-of-a-kind Saline Valley salt mine and 13.5 mile tramway over the entire Inyo Mountains to Owens Valley and its railroad spur. Tim and Brian will then lead a guided pictorial tour of their hazardous 3 day trek along the entire Salt Tram route, starting in Owens Valley and ending in Saline Valley. Finally, they will focus on the many mysteries that still confront them regarding the Salt Tram's construction, operation, bankruptcies, wild bucket rides, and its ultimate demise.

For further information please contact:
Roberta Harlan at 760-873-8583 or Elaine Delaney at 760-878-2625

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Friends of the Eastern California Museum
P.O. BOX 33
INDEPENDENCE, CA 93526

February 2010

Dear Friends:

We’re happy to report that 2009 was a very productive and active year for the Friends of the Eastern California Museum (FECM). Inyo County budget cuts affected funding for the Museum so the support provided by the Friends in 2009 was especially crucial and the need will continue through the foreseeable future. FECM supported nearly all of the museum exhibits such as the Norman Clyde Exhibit which was featured in the LA Times, Wall Street Journal, Fresno Bee, Sacramento Bee, and LA Sierra Club newsletter and web page. That is why we urge you to renew your membership in FECM for 2010.

The Friends of the Eastern California Museum provided $16,340 mostly from membership dues, to help support Museum exhibits and educational activities, and assist in Museum operations.  Museum Director Jon Klusmire noted, “The museum’s entire expense budget for the fiscal year is about $26,000 – that includes utilities (about half the total), office supplies, advertising, and general operations. Without FECM, it would be tough to put on exhibits, pay an intern, do a basic, necessary level of advertising and promotions and improve the building and facilities.” Friends volunteers also cleaned up and made improvements to the grounds around the historic Commander’s House in downtown Independence.

Thank you to all the dedicated Friends who supported the Friends of the Eastern California Museum during the past year. Your support is more important than ever. With your continued support, the Museum plans to continue hosting a steady schedule of educational and informative talks, as well as exciting fundraisers, events, and exhibits in 2010.
Please use the form attached below to renew your membership for 2010.

Best wishes for the New Year!— The Friends of the Eastern California Museum Board of Trustees
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Join the Friends of the Eastern California Museum
YES! I want to support the Eastern California Museum and its programs by becoming a member of the Friends!
Name:____________________________________Address:__________________________________________
City:______________________________________State:______Zip Code:__________Phone:______________
Email Address:______________________________________________________________________________ Check if you would like to help the Friends cut costs by receiving your newsletter electronically       _
I enclose my payment of $___________ (Make check payable to FECM, P.O. Box 33, Independence, CA 93526)

Membership Type (please check one):
_ Individual or subscription ($25)
_ Supporting ($150)               
_ Family ($40)           
_ Patron ($250)
_ Contributing ($100)       
_ Sustaining ($500)
_ Business and Organization ($150)
_ Benefactor ($1000 and up)
Members receive a newsletter, invitations to special events, and a 10% discount at the Eastern California Museum Bookstore
Visit the Friends of the Eastern California Museum website at FECM33.org (where
it is now on their website!)

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Since Roberta asked me to write a bio for Brian and me, as well as a description of our
presentation, I wrote this big long thing that she, of course, cut down (as she should). Given
the affordability of bits & bytes on the internet, however, I am reproducing it for anyone out
there who might care to read it (our Mom, maybe? Dad? How about you, Dad? If either of you
read this, cell phone me and I'll give you a $100 - that's the safest $100 I'll ever have!).

Tim and Brian Waag's Bio and Presentation Description (all rolled into one!)
White Smith's Amazing Salt Tram

Tim Waag and his younger brother Brian have been adventurers and explorers since the time they first got lost at the Death Valley sand dunes at night (distances in the desert are farther than they appear!), when they attempted to cross them late in the day, and had their mother wandering along the highway 3 hours after dark, tears in her eyes, wondering if they would ever come out alive. Since then, they've rarely finished a hike with any daylight left in the skies, as the draw of desert exploration pulls them every deeper into the unknown.

Its hard to write a suitable (or short) bio as it relates to a borderline obsession (for them) such as the Salt Tram, just as it is difficult to describe the attraction to something that on its face, is merely a mundane salts transportation mechanism that has long since passed its usefulness, with a subset of its once grandiose machinery managing to cling to the inhospitable Inyo Mountains, that supposed ugly stepsister to the grand and dandy Sierra's across the valley.

The boys grew up together in El Segundo, next to LAX, where Brian found lifetime employment as an Electrician and later, as a Procurement Manager for Chevron. Tim headed up the road, to get a BS in Math and Computer Science at UCLA, followed by an MS in Management Science at USC. After 12 years of software development work at TRW, Tim and his family moved to San Luis Obispo in 1992 where they currently reside, and where Tim is an office manager for a law firm.

The real story here, of course, is the every increasing pull of the Salt Tram itself, when construction began in 1911, started operation in 1913, and ceased its salt deliveries by 1932 as the recession settled in for the decade. From the first time a person sets their eyes on its massive structures, they are hooked, just like the Waag's were. Repeated visits only emboldened them to learn more, and in learning more, found that it has never been thoroughly investigated and documented for the wonderful, crazy idea from another time that it represents. They decided they were up to the challenge of drawing in as much as there is to know about the amped up ambition of local Bishop attorney White Smith, and his desire to build what is referred to as "White Smith's Fabulous Salt Tram". That title is courtesy of the late and marvelous desert wanderer and researcher, Mary Dedecker, which first appeared in the Death Valley 49ers Keepsake No. 3 from November, 1993.

The Waag brother's presentation will begin with the genesis of Tennessee-born White Smith's inspiration to build this truly one-of-a-kind Saline Valley salt mine and 13.5 mile tramway over the entire Inyo Mountains to Owens Valley and its railroad spur. Tim and Brian will then lead a guided pictorial tour of their hazardous 3 day trek along the entire Salt Tram route, starting in Owen's Valley and ending in Saline Valley. Finally, they will focus on the many mysteries that still confront them regarding the Salt Tram's construction, operation, bankruptcies, wild bucket rides, and ultimate demise.

The Eastern California Museum is currently seeking historical resource information about the Salt Tram, including but not limited to photos, artifacts, stories, and documents - if you have information that could assist with this effort to preserve the history of this magnificent monument to  the "can-do" attitude of the pioneers of Owens Valley, it would be most appreciated. For frequent updates on the progress of the Saline Valley Salt Tram Research Project, please see www.SaltTram.blogspot.com.

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