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Where it all began--100 years ago
Quilting began with my great-grandmother, but I suspect she learned from her mother and her grandmother, both pioneers from Illinois who came to Shasta County in a wagon train. But I only have quilts made by my great-grandmother, made of chintz, calico and lots of flannel, scraps from dresses, nightgowns and blouses. She used the “Courthouse Steps” pattern on both quilts to great effect, I think.
It is more than possible that my grandmother, Evelyn, (called “Bill” by her father, whether because he wanted a boy or because she looked like his father, William, at birth, I don’t know and neither does my mother--her daughter) helped sew the quilt. And if my grandmother helped her mother with those quilts, then my Auntie Marian did as well.
These quilts were hand sewn, and backed in heavy duty flannel. Both quilts were tied with yarn. The batting must be a wool army blanket, because the quilts are very heavy. That would have been a requirement for a blanket in the early part of the 20th century when these quilts were made. At the time, my great grandparents lived on their homestead in Old Station, in the shadow of Mount Lassen. Mount Lassen erupted in 1915, however, so the family was forced to flee from the devastating mud flows that demolished their cabin. Undaunted, my great-grandfather, Wid Hall, built another cabin, but this time on the south side of Hat Creek, and presumably away from any mudflows that might occur in the future.
Their second cabin was still standing until about 2 years ago when the present owners razed it. Before that, it had been used as storage. Our family took a tour of Old Station and the owners graciously let us see the cabin. My mother remembered it was much bigger and had to laugh at how small it appeared to her. My great-grandparents sold the homestead in 1935 due to age and Carrie’s ill health. They moved to Anderson to be closer to Evelyn and her young family who lived in Red Bluff, CA. Auntie Marian lived with Uncle Carl in Hat Creek all her life and used the quilts but upon her death, my mother inherited the quilts and kept them safely in her cedar chest for 60 years. They now grace the bed in my guest room.