"Wilmar Oaks, the farm at the Rainbow's End."
Main House
This structure was built in the early 1920's. At that time it was a 12 car garage with
chauffeurs quarters above. The four main homes on the other side of the river housed as
many as 40 overnight guests and servants. Ironically this portion of the property was
condemned by the State of California for the Interstate 5 Right of Way. In 1975, with my
three small children and one wonderful carpenter and friend, we converted this building
into the main house. It has 3 spacious bedrooms, an office, one bath, 15 x 25 kitchen
eating area, 25 x 25 living room, and two car garage. Large covered wood shed and 15 x 25
winter porch. (For twenty years we heated by wood only.)
Rental
This was originally the Caretakers Cottage. It is a rented 2 bedroom dwelling. The
foundation had to be replaced and that was done about 1991 making it into a full daylight
basement. It remains unfinished.
Guest House
This was originally known as the Wash house. The back corner of the 20 x 20 structure had
laundry tubs and other laundry facilities in it. The remaining portion had bathroom
plumbing and sink plumbing which made it an ideal place for an in-law house. At times the
house has been rented to people locating into the area.
Rabbitry
Originally
know as the pipe fitting shop, this building now houses maintenance equipment, and rabbit
cages. Here we had a small group of breeding rabbits for food supply. Across the back of
this building was a 12 X 40 Chicken house. This has been divided into Laying hen area with
yard. To other areas that are used with brooder hoods for the raising of meat chickens.
Attached to the chicken yard is a smaller brooder house for the raising of chicks until
they are a month old. Both buildings have electricity and the larger has water.
Barn
The barn is 40 x 30 partitioned into four areas. A 20 x 20 section holds about 5 tons of
hay. Another 20 x 20 section has lambing pens in the spring and serves as a butcher room
in the winter. A 10 x 20 area serves as farrowing pens for pigs< (birthing area), and
storage for yard equipment. The other matching side is an overhang fenced and gated for
the keeping of beef or milk cow, whichever is the family preference. This entire building
has water and electricity in all areas.
Garage
This building was built for the storage of paint and equipment in the repairing of the
property after the 1964 flood. There was a suspension bridge that spanned the river giving
access to the four homes on the other side that were later condemned.
Irrigation
There is a 16 value underground sprinkler system. (The size of a nine hole golf course.)
Source of water is the 1927 well at the edge of the river.) All intakes are screened and
pumps are pulled during the winter months. Operational only seasonally.
Well House
This
picturesque 10 x 10 stone building is the center of the life line of the farm. It has
water pipes that go to all the Chestnut trees to the tin garage. It serves the domestic
use for all the building. It is hand dug to a spring and is 16 feet deep with a large
cavern that serves as a water reservoir.
Garden area
This area has a distribution station for the irrigating of the garden in areas. It's
total area is about 3 acres. It raises enough food for several families. Though the soil
is a rocky adobe, the rich fertile water of the Klamath River gives unexpected prolific
growth to all crops. (Only by use of flood irrigating.)
Crops
Along the edge of Highway 96 the fence is lined with 100 year old Chestnut trees.
These trees do not produce until they are about 20 years of age, any appreciable crop.
Other trees included several varieties of the following fruits: apple, pears, peaches,
apricots, plums and very old Mulberry trees. Berries are wild blackberry and domestic
strawberry.
Other Features
At the end of the farm yard there is an area for pig pens. These have water and
electricity for heat lamps. A scalding vat is in this area also for old time butchering.
In the small grove of oak trees at the river's bend is an electric outlet for
camping.