Mail-Order Brides: Phoebe Harrington and William Silbaugh

By Martha Hutchens

Image by kathysg, deposit photos

William Silbaugh struggled with health issues and moved west for a drier climate. In 1906, he settled in Idaho. He worked as a surveyor. But something was missing in his life. He wanted a wife.

Men outnumbered women in Idaho by approximately 132 to 100. Because of this, he chose to write to his aunt in West Virginia and ask her to find a wife for him. His aunt chose Phoebe Harrington.

Phoebe was one of six children and her mother died when she was eleven. She took a job as a maid not long after her mother died, and worked at that or similar jobs for sixteen years. At that point she responded to an advertisement for a wife and was selected to travel west to marry William.

Bodie Ghost Town
Image by Bukki88, deposit photos

Phoebe arrived in Shoshone, Idaho in 1911. William, armed with a written description, met his bride at the train station. They married within an hour of meeting. After the wedding, William took his new wife to his farm, about twenty miles from the town of Shoshone.

Their homestead was in Magic Valley, north of the Snake River. Together, they maintained their two-room cabin, a garden, a farm, and a herd of sheep. Unfortunately, the land was not conducive to farming, and the family struggled.

They would eventually have seven children, the first born nine months after their wedding.

Image by PantherMediaSeller, deposit photos

After twenty-five years of struggle with the farm in Magic Valley, the family moved to a ranch near the town of Salmon. Here, they met with much greater success.

They lived together for forty-seven years before William died in an automobile accident. Phoebe died sixteen years later.

William and Phoebe have such a simple story, unlike the story I shared last month of Eleanor Berry and Louis Dreibelbis. Matrimonial News, a paper solely dedicated to matching couples, estimates that more than 2600 couples met through their enterprise and married. While William and Phoebe probably didn’t use that paper, they are just one of thousands of couples that met their spouse via mail.

Martha Hutchens is a history nerd who loves nothing more than finding a new place and time to explore. She won the 2019 Golden Heart for Romance with Religious and Spiritual Elements. A former analytical chemist and retired homeschool mom, Martha occasionally finds time for knitting when writing projects allow.

Martha can frequently be found at the Sunrise Historical Hearts Facebook page, along with other Sunrise authors. If you would like to find out about new Sunrise releases (including a mail-order bride series), and meet other historical authors, click here to join the fun.

The History of Camp Forrest ~ by Michelle Shocklee

 

As the daughter of a World War II veteran, I'm always eager to learn new things about the war and the people who experienced it. As I began to think about the topic for my next book, I knew I wanted to write about the homefront during WWII. So I started to research what was happening in Tennessee during the war, and I came across information about a military installation called Camp Forrest located outside of Tullahoma. Some of the really cool historical tidbits I learned convinced me I'd found the setting for my new book! 

Let's virtually visit Camp Forrest together.

Photo courtesy of US Air Force

Camp Forrest began life as a small National Guard facility called Camp Peay. Camp Peay, named after former Tennessee Governor Austin Peay, was built in 1926 and occupied 1,040 acres of Tennessee farmland. As things heated up in Europe, with Germany invading defenseless countries at an alarming rate, officials in the US military and government knew it was only a matter of time before the United States would be forced into war. 

Soldiers at Camp Forrest (credit unknown)

With that in mind, the government quietly began to prepare. Camp Peay was taken over by the US Army and was expanded to encompass 85,000 acres. Because it was not Army tradition to name military bases for a politician who didn't have a distinguished military background, the camp was renamed after Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest, a native of Tennessee whose birthplace was nearby. Unfortunately, Gen. Forrest had a rather tarnished reputation, which didn't please a lot of people, but the name stuck and was used throughout the war. 

After Pearl Harbor was attacked and the United States declared war on Japan, Germany, and Italy, thousands of would-be soldiers soon poured into Camp Forrest for training. The 30,000-plus-acre Spencer Artillery Range was used to train soldiers in heavy artillery. Infantry units practiced maneuvers on the camp's extensive grounds, including a Ranger battalion that practiced rappelling off cliffs. Those same Rangers put their training to use when they scaled the bluffs at Point du Hoc near Omaha Beach in Normandy.

Incoming troops enjoyed use of the amenities found on most military installations of the era: service clubs, guest houses, a library, post exchanges, a post office, hospital facilities, chapels, theaters, and barracks buildings. The camp was also home to Red Cross and Army Emergency Relief facilities. Recreation facilities included swimming, archery, tennis, a sports arena, and a nine-hole golf course.

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=40256

Yet despite the opportunities for fun and relaxation, the reality of war was always present. From late 1942 to early 1943, 24,000 prisoners of war were held at Camp Forrest. These POWs were members of the German Wehrmacht, with many of them captured in Africa. During that time, the 2,000-bed hospital at Camp Forrest also saw an huge increase in patients as American warriors wounded in Europe were sent home to recuperate.

But why did I choose Camp Forrest as the setting for my new novel All We Thought We Knew? Because of this fascinating fact: 

Beginning in May 1942, Camp Forrest became one of the many Enemy Alien Internment camps that were scattered throughout the country. People with ties to Germany, Japan, and Italy were arrested and detained in internment camps as soon as the US joined the war, with many of them being held for the duration of the war and afterwards. When I read about the many German people who were kept at Camp Forrest against their will, I knew I'd found the topic for my book!

I'll write more about Enemy Aliens in my post next month and tell you about the people who inspired the character of Gunther Schneider! Stay tuned!

Your turn: Are you interested in the history of World War II? Why or why not? Inquiring minds would like to know! 

Michelle Shocklee is the author of several historical novels, including Appalachian Song, a 2024 Christy Award Finalist; Count the Nights by Stars, winner of the Christianity Today Book Award; and Under the Tulip Tree, a Christy Award and Selah Award finalist. Her work has been included in numerous Chicken Soup for the Soul books, magazines, and blogs. Married to her college sweetheart and the mother of two sons and mother-in-law to two beautiful daughters, she makes her home in Tennessee, not far from the historical sites she writes about. Visit her online  at www.MichelleShocklee.com

ALL WE THOUGHT WE KNEW

1942
Ava must put her life back together after her husband is killed at Pearl Harbor. A job at Camp Forrest provides income, but it also puts her in contact with Enemy Aliens interned on the military installation. Can she trust the German medical student whose friendship means more to her than it should?

1969
Mattie ran away from the pain when her brother was killed in Vietnam. Now she’s back in Tullahoma facing another devastating loss. Yet it is the bundle of WWII letters Mama insists she reads that makes her question everything she thought she knew about herself.

https://www.tyndale.com/p/all-we-thought-we-knew/9781496484178

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Author Photo

“We would rather play ball than eat,” claimed catcher Lavonne “Pepper” Paire, one of the more than six hundred women who were part of the All-American Girls Professional Ball League (AAGPBL)“We put our hearts and souls into the leaguer. We thought it was our job to do our best, because we were the All-American girls. We felt like we were keeping up our country’s morale.”

As with all industries during World War II, professional baseball lost men to the war effort. Many were drafted, and others, like New York Yankee Joe DiMaggio, enlisted. Major league executives eyed their checkbooks with growing concern. A lot of their talent was gone, and thanks to gasoline rationing team travel was limited. How could they keep the public’s interest? Would they be forced to cease operations until the end of the war?

Enter chewing gum magnate and Chicago Cubs owner Philip K. Wrigley who devised the concept of a women’s baseball league. In an interview, he stated, “The need for additional recreation in towns busy with war defense work prompted the idea.” Women’s work in the factories was supposed to be temporary. Why not women in baseball as a temporary solution?

Together with former ballplayer-turned-executive Branch Rickey, attorney and University of Chicago

Courtesy: This Day in Baseball

trustee Paul V. Harper, and others, Wrigley founded the league as a nonprofit and sent out scouts to recruit from various women’s amateur softball leagues from around the U.S. Tryouts were held at Wrigley Field on a sunny day in the spring of 1943. More than two hundred women showed up and about sixty were selected to play for four teams. Unfortunately, like the male league, the women’s league was segregated, and African-American women were not recruited or hired.

Skills were important, but so was the appearance of being wholesome and feminine. In fact, part of the contract required the women to attend classes at Helena Rubinstein’s charm school where they were taught “proper” etiquette, personal hygiene, mannerism, and dress code. In an effort to enhance the women’s appearance, they were given a beauty kit and instructions on how to use it. The league issued “Rules of Conduct” that required the women to wear lipstick at all times and prohibited them from smoking or drinking in public places, wearing pants, and having short hair. The following year, Josephine “JoJo” D’Angelo would be fired for cutting her hair short. In addition to the rules, the league assigned a chaperone to each team.

Reminiscent of women’s figure skating, field hockey and tennis costumes of the day, the women’s baseball uniforms featured a short-sleeved tunic dress with a flared skirt, belted at the waist. The skirt could be no more than six inches above the knee. The outfit was completed with a one-size-fits-all baseball cap that featured elastic bands in the back to hold them in place. Without pants to protect them, the women developed welts, bruises, and lacerations, often referred to as “strawberries” from sliding into base.

Public Domain

The teams were comprised of fifteen players, a manager/coach, business manager, and female chaperone. Salaries ranged from $45 to $85 per week (the equivalent of $761-$1437 in 2022 dollars), and were higher than that of many women in the workforce, including those in the defense industry. In later years, the salary rose to about $125 per week. After the first year’s success, additional teams were created and financed by civic groups and other big-league players such as Jimmie Foxx, Johnny Rawlings, Leo Murphy, Bill Wambsganss, and Dave Bancroft served as league managers.

Pitcher Jean Faut, who died in 2023 at the age of ninety-eight, summed up in a 1988 interview what many players had stated over the years, “Those years in the league were the greatest years of my life.”

___________________________

War’s Unexpected Gift

Love and war don’t mix. Or do they?

Eager to do even more for the war effort, nurse Gwen Milford puts in for a transfer from a convalescent hospital outside of London to an evac hospital headed across Europe. Leap-frogging from one location to the next, nothing goes as expected from stolen supplies to overwhelming numbers of casualties. Then, there’s the handsome doctor who seems to be assigned to her every shift. As another Christmas approaches without the war’s end, can she find room in her heart for love?

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/4jG2wl

Linda Shenton Matchett writes happily-ever-after historical Christian fiction about second chances and women who overcome life’s challenges to be better versions of themselves.

Whether you choose her books set in the Old West or across the globe during WWII, you will be immersed in the past through rich detail. Follow the journeys of relatable characters whose faith is sorely tested, yet in the end, emerge triumphant. Be encouraged in your own faith-walk through stories of history and hope. Visit her at http://www.LindaShentonMatchett.com

John Gleeson - WWII Pilot is Still Flying at 100

By Mary Dodge Allen

When asked why he was still flying at age 100, John Gleason replied, "Why wouldn't I? I've never been a fearful person. When you fly, you either do things right or you don't. If you don't, then you're in big trouble."

John Gleeson as an Air Corps cadet, circa 1943

When he was twelve years old, John Gleeson cut out a front-page photo of the German zeppelin Hindenburg, as it burst into flames when it crashed in New Jersey, on May 6, 1937. He kept the photo posted on a wall where he slept. Instead of generating a fear of flying, it reinforced his desire to fly.

The Hindenburg in flames (Public Domain)

Early Life:

John Gleeson grew up in Long Beach, California. "We were very poor. We were even on government help for a while." During his childhood, Gleeson slept in a closet. "My father was an alcoholic. I don't know how my mother managed. She was an angel. I don't know how she fed us. We just had a very difficult life."

Gleeson went on his first flight in a friend's plane when he was a sophomore in high school. The friend buzzed cows in a pasture, and then flew the plane in a loop. A loud crack rang out, as if something on the plane had snapped. But his friend managed to land safely.

Shortly after this, Gleeson left school and went to work for the Civilian Conservation Corps, (CCC). This New Deal program provided jobs, living quarters, meals and income for families back home.

WWII Army Air Corps:

Gleeson was eighteen, and working as a laborer at a California shipyard, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. "I got up early the next day, December 8, 1941, to enlist to protect our country. I arrived there about 7 a.m., surprised to see a line of 20 or 30 other young men."

He enlisted in the Army, with hopes of joining the Air Corps, but his math skills were weak. Gleeson found a way to work around that. "My friend was good at math, so I gave my test to him to do the math, and he gave me his to do the English and that's the way I got into the Air Corps."

He was sent to the Boeing School of Aeronautics in Oakland, CA for training. While there, Gleeson was asked to transport a U.S. Army prisoner to San Francisco. On the way, Gleeson took a detour and stopped in at the famous Hollywood Canteen, started and operated by movie stars to boost the morale of servicemen by hosting dances and serving meals.

Hollywood Canteen (Alamy Photos)

Gleeson, dressed in a crisp uniform, walked into the canteen with his sullen, messy and unshaven prisoner. George Burns and Gracie Allen served him coffee and a doughnut. Then Gleeson spotted Betty Grable on the dance floor. "I went out and cut in on her and told the guy dancing with her to take a walk." 

Movie Star Betty Grable (Public Domain)

While they were dancing, a military police officer walked up and asked if Gleeson was with the unshaven soldier slouched in the corner of the room. When the officer checked his pass, he saw Gleeson was AWOL, and he arrested him and the prisoner in front of Betty Grable. 

They were sent to the stockade at San Bernardino. But the next day, Gleeson got a break. He was given a second chance to escort the prisoner to San Francisco, and he did it without taking any other detours. 

After Gleeson completed flight training in 1944, he was assigned as flight engineer with a combat crew of a B-24 Liberator bomber. Based in Wales, they flew their bomber, named the "Midnight Prowler," on bombing missions throughout Europe. 

John Gleeson, First row on far left, with crew of B-24 Midnight Prowler (family photo)

Gleeson said he experienced instances of "divine intervention," during his many flights. One time, all four engines went out at 10,000 feet. After several seconds of free fall, Gleeson finally restarted the engines, at 5,000 feet. "It was an absolute miracle I got them started so quickly. We were headed down to the icebergs in the North Atlantic Sea. Don't ask me how to explain it, because I can't."

Later in the war, Gleeson was recruited by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), to fly blackout bombers on secret night missions to resupply Resistance fighters. "When I flew the covert stuff, I didn't know who I was flying with. I would just introduce myself as the flight engineer. Everyone was dressed in civilian clothes. None of us carried any weapons."

Marriage and Move to Hawaii:

Barbara Jeanne (Gleeson family photo)

After the war ended, Gleeson returned home to Long Beach, CA. A friend set him up on a blind date at a party, and that's where Gleeson met Barbara Jeanne. "Here was this beautiful girl standing with a bunch of guys standing around her. I was like, 'Whoa!'" He and Barbara were married soon after. 

During the Korean War, Gleeson re-enlisted. He was assigned to the 452nd Bomb Group Flight Test Department and flew Douglas B-26 Invaders. Soon after the war, he obtained his private pilot's license and then flew with the Civil Air Patrol in Sparks, Nevada.

Gleeson and his family moved to Honolulu, Hawaii in 1972. He ran his own business, John Gleeson, Ltd., a contracting company specializing in engineering and marine sales/consulting. He retired from the business in 1975.

Later Years:

In 1980, he began flying with the Civil Air Patrol in Hawaii.

For years, he organized aviation classes at schools and at the YMCA, to get young people interested in flying. 

He is the founder of the Great Hawaiian Air Race, involving aircraft from several countries. It generated about $150,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, over the span of five years.

He was one of the founders of the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island in Oahu, and he served as the museum's director for three years.

Movie poster for "Pearl Harbor," (Public Domain)

Gleeson was also involved in the 2001 movie, "Pearl Harbor." He organized a charter flight for movie executives, dubbed the First Attack Flight. It followed the route of the Japanese attackers and pointed out the radar sites and gun positions.

John and Barbara Gleeson (family photo)

John Gleeson and his wife Barbara had three daughters. She passed away a few months after their 74th anniversary. Gleeson said, "I had a wonderful, wonderful marriage." He misses his wife, but he vows to keep on flying as long as he can.

Gleeson formerly served as the commander of the glider squadron out of Mokuleia, and he proudly states, "Yes, I am still actively flying gliders." 

John Gleeson in glider on 100th birthday (family photo)

John Gleeson flew in a glider on August 26, 2023, his 100th birthday!

John Gleeson on his 100th birthday at the Pacific Aviation Museum (family photo)

When asked about the life he has led, Gleeson responded, "What a journey!"

He offers this advice to people of all ages:

"Get motivated. And as long as you can do something... do something."

_____________

Mary Dodge Allen is the winner of a Christian Indie Award, an Angel Book Award, and two Royal Palm Literary Awards (Florida Writer's Association). She and her husband live in Central Florida, where she has served as a volunteer with the local police department. Her childhood in Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes, sparked her lifelong love of the outdoors. She has worked as a Teacher, Counselor and Social Worker. Her quirky sense of humor is energized by a passion for coffee and chocolate. She is a member of the Florida Writer's Association, American Christian Fiction Writers and Faith Hope and Love Christian Writers. 

Website: www.marydodgeallen.com

Mary's novel: Hunt for a Hometown Killer won the 2022 Christian Indie Award, First Place - Mystery/Suspense; and the 2022 Angel Book Award - Mystery/Suspense.

Click the link below to buy Hunt for a Hometown Killer at Amazon.com:

Hunt For A Hometown Killer: A Novel: Allen, Mary Dodge: 9781952369704: Amazon.com: Books

Link to Mary's Spotlight Interview:   Mary Dodge Allen Author Spotlight EA Books

Why Formerly Enslaved African American Clara Brown is an Example for Our Time

 

By Donna Wichelman

As an author of historical romance, occasionally I'm inspired by a real-life historical figure and create a character with similar traits. Formerly enslaved, African American Clara Brown's true life story compelled me to bring to life the fictional character, Cecelia Richards, in my Gilded Age romance coming out in December.

Clara Brown rode into Colorado in the mid-nineteenth century and stole the hearts of many who called her “Aunt Clara” for her generosity and philanthropy. Though technically not a Georgetown resident, Clara first settled in Denver, then moved to the mining town of Central City twenty miles northeast of Georgetown. In time, she invested in real estate and mining properties in Gilpin and Clear Creek counties.

C Stephen H. Hart Research Center at History Colorado, Scan #10027902lara Brown, (aka “Aunt Clara”) invested in mining property in Georgetown in the 1860s and 1870s.
Used by Permission of the Stephen H. Hart Research Center at History Colorado, Scan #10027902

Born into slavery in 1800, Clara spent her early years in Virginia and was sold several times to the highest bidder. A Virginian tobacco farmer, Ambrose Smith, bought her, and she continued to work for him after he moved to Kentucky. At age eighteen, she married Richard, and they had four children. But when Smith died, her husband and four children were tragically sold off to different people across the country. Devastated, Clara vowed she would find them someday despite the odds of getting her freedom.

Clara’s last owner, hat maker George Brown sympathized with Clara's plight. In 1856, after working for him as a domestic for twenty years, he died and stipulated in his will that she must be freed and given money to begin a new life. Touched by his generosity, Clara began a search for her family. However, three years later, heartbroken and running out of cash, she gave up.

Clara convinced a group of gold prospectors, going west on a wagon train, to take her along as their cook. After a long arduous journey, she came to Colorado in 1859 and lived in Denver, working as a baker. She also helped two Methodist missionaries set up a non-denominational Sunday School. With the goal of finding her family ever-present, she followed the stream of people, heading to the mountains to make their fortunes in gold and silver. She didn’t care about the money, only the ability to reunite with her family.

Tailings from a Silver Mine Near Georgetown, Colorado: Donna's Gallery 2019

She settled in Central City where she set up a laundry, offered her services as a cook and midwife, and began saving money. By the time the Civil War ended and other blacks had been given their freedom, her income had grown enough so that she could support herself, give to local charities, take in sick and injured miners, as well as invest in mining properties and real estate. She also set up a nondenominational Sunday School and gave money and time to four churches, including St. James Methodist Church, where Clara was known to hold services in her home before the church was built and host missionary circuit riders.

Central City, Colorado Street Scene: ID 253110770 © Littleny | Dreamstime.com

Governor Pitkin sent Clara to Kansas in 1879 as an official representative to invite black Exodusters (former enslaved homesteaders) to move to Colorado. With a mining strike at hand and jobs needing to be filled, they had plenty of work. Clara donated her own money to help relocate them.

Clara finally heard credible news in 1882 that her daughter Eliza lived in Council Bluffs, Iowa. By then, her funds had been spent down or extorted by unethical men in real estate, and friends had to help her get to Iowa. Once there, she discovered that Eliza had been living there for some time, and mother and daughter finally reunited after more than half a century. Newspapers all over the country carried the story.

Clara brought her daughter back to Colorado where they lived until Clara’s death in 1885. To honor this extraordinary woman, the Central City Opera House debuted an opera in 2003 called Gabrielle’s Daughter. Her story of courage and passion continues to be played out on the stage today.

Central City, Colorado Opera House: ID 56740743 © Marek Uliasz | Dreamstime.com

None of us would want to live Clara Brown’s real-life story. As a Caucasian woman, I can’t begin to understand the dynamics of all that she experienced. Yet, something about her story inspires us, moves us to admire her, and makes us hope. Christian author Jerry Sittser calls this the “redemptive spirit” of her story.

Many people extoll Clara for having been the first successful African American business woman in Colorado. Others pay tribute to her angel-like qualities—her good works, caring for the sick, the poor, and the underserved. Most praise her for coming out of slavery to establish a life full of “passion and purpose” (see Clara Brown: Angel of the Rockies, August 26, 2016, Colorado Virtual Library). All of this is true.

Yet Clara Brown’s story is much more than what people say of her. It calls us to view our lives in the light of hers and discover what enabled her to move from enslavement to being truly free—not only free from slavery but free from the bonds of the petty and the shallow.

Imbued with faith in God and strength of character, she didn’t allow her circumstances to diminish her. She could have become bitter, blaming the world—even God—for allowing her husband and children to be cruelly removed from her. Indeed, she had every reason to hate her enslavers. Instead, she gained wisdom and strength and overcame her circumstances, transforming her into a woman of grace, humility, and generosity—loving people, giving of her time, and persevering in the face of a hopeless cause to find her children.

Clara Brown transcended the ways of her day and made a difference in the communities where she lived. Perhaps we’d never want to live her life, but I believe most of us—maybe even secretly deep down—want to emulate her spirit in a way that brings profound meaning to our own lives. Her example provides a roadmap for us to follow in our current-day trifling and chaotic world.

Weaving history and faith into stories of intrigue and redemption grew out of Donna's love of travel, history, and literature as a young adult while attending the United World College of the Atlantic--an international college in Wales, U.K. She enjoys developing plots that show how God's love abounds even in the profoundly difficult circumstances of our lives. Her stories reflect the hunger in all of us for love, belonging, and forgiveness.

Donna was a communications professional before writing full-time. Her short stories and articles have appeared in inspirational publications. She has two indie-published romantic suspense novels, Light Out of Darkness and Undaunted Valor, in her Waldensian Series. Her Gilded Age historical romance, A Song of Deliverance, will be released by Scrivenings Press in December 2024.

Donna and her husband of forty years participate in ministry at their local church in Colorado. They love spending time with their grandchildren and bike, kayak, and travel whenever possible.

 

Rockin' at Castle Farms in Charlevoix, Michigan

Castles. This word ignites images of kings and knights, even horses and gilded carriages. The stuff of fairy tales, legends, and rich history. I mentioned in an earlier post there are resources claiming forty castles exist in the United States and tens of thousands in Europe. Before 2024, I had only visited Biltmore in North Carolina, USA. This summer I ventured to Michigan with my best friend and experienced Castle Farms in Charlevoix. If you have the opportunity in the future, see the castle and take the tour to learn how this edifice transformed over the years. There were multiple purposes behind the walls and on the grounds from its inception. You might be surprised at the origins.

Why build at this location in 1918? The train from Chicago passed through Charlevoix at the time. This resource provided circulation, supplies, laborers, and a method for income. Albert Loeb, Vice President of Sears, Roebuck, and Co, served as president while the current president was helping distribute items for war effort. Loeb needed to display items for the Sears catalog in photoshoots. In the first of a series of innovative steps, he secured land. Loeb then sought a design. He visited France and various castles. Some say Château de Chambord inspired portions of the architecture. At one time the estate included over 1,600 acres of agricultural land.

The title of this post, Rockin' at Castle Farms has a dual purpose. First, the rocks in these photos emanated from local western Michigan. The locals joked that you could clear a field and next day new rocks appeared. Farmers were elated to get rid of rocks and so contribute to the building of Loeb Farms and Stables.

Truth be told, the only people to live in the castle at any time, even today, were the single workers who built the castle. Their parlor photo below shows the original roof supporting one of the conical capped rooflines, known as witches' hats. None of the other witches' hats survived. 

Later during reconstruction artisans discovered how to use poplar trees after trying other materials. Moving quickly to mill the poplar trees in three days allowed them to bend the boards to form witch’s hat roofs. The at left is a reconstructed roof on a grain silo using the same techniques.



The tiles visible on the floor in the photo above at right originally lined the inside of silos to keep moisture at bay. During renovations, the tiles that fell off over the years were salvaged to create the current floor.

Loeb not only used the castle for catalog photo shoots, but he also created a working dairy farm. Milk, cheese, and ice cream were a few of the offerings. It was possible to pull up to the cheese house in a conveyance and order cheese to go. Our tour guide wondered, the first drive-through perhaps?

During this time, the county needed income. Those in power decided to tax cows to pay for a new school. Realizing the possible loss, Loeb asked instead what type of building they wanted and how much space.
He donated land and hired workers to build the school. It is still standing. Notice the photo at right.

Thirty-six stone masons toiled to fashion the walls of the main and subsidiary buildings. As visitors walk along the walls, the techniques and styles are on display, especially in the hay loft. The changes from mason to mason are apparent. 

Blacksmiths made all metal items, door handles, hinges, and other pieces on property. Many remain.

One of the current venue buildings was once home to twenty-six Belgian horses who lived in the stables. These horses had many jobs on the farm. One purpose was to help carry ice to the icehouse - image at left. They had ice all summer long. A benefit aiding in production of ice cream.

What was the purpose of making copious amounts of ice cream, you might ask? They could not ship the excess. It just so happens that spectators of the Sodbusters baseball team would buy the ice cream while watching games. Yes. You read that correctly. Loeb farms sponsored a baseball team that practiced on site.

During the decade Loeb owned the farm, his entrepreneurial approach encouraged the farm to thrive. After his death, the property sat vacant for forty years. Michigan's weather attacked the buildings.

John VanHaver purchased the land and buildings. He salved what he could of the parcel. VanHaver then hosted art shows and metal forging workshops for income. Many of the chandeliers hanging at Castle Farms are by his hands. Next in line to acquire the land and buildings holds the second reason for the title Rockin' at Castle Farms as you will be able to read in part two, next month.

                  

As a child, Rebecca loved to write. She nurtured this skill as an educator and later as an editor for an online magazine. Rebecca then joined the Cru Ministry - NBS2GO/Neighbor Bible Studies 2GO, at its inception. She serves as the YouVersion Content Creator, with over 125 Plans in 44 languages on the Bible.com app.

Rebecca lives near the mountains with her husband and a rescued dog named Ranger. She is a proud mom of a soldier. If it were up to her, she would be traveling - right now. First up, trips to see their two grown sons. As a member of ACFW and FHLCW, Rebecca learns the craft of fiction while networking with a host of generous writers. 

Connect with Rebecca: Facebook Goodreads Instagram Pinterest X/Twitter

Stepping Into the Past: Ancient Mosaic Floors

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Blogger: Amber Lemus

As fans of Christian fiction, we're no strangers to exploring the ancient world. From biblical epics to historical novels, we've walked alongside characters through dusty streets and hallowed temples. But have you ever stopped to consider the art beneath their feet? Literally.

Ancient mosaic floors are a fascinating aspect of historical art and architecture. They showcase the intricate craftsmanship and taste of past civilizations. These mosaics, composed of small pieces of colored stones, glass, or ceramics known as tesserae, were used to decorate floors in various public and private buildings across the ancient world, especially in the Middle East and Mediterranean.

The origins of mosaic art can be traced back to the Bronze Age, with early examples found in the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations. However, it was during the Hellenistic period in the 3rd century BCE that mosaics truly flourished as an art form. The Greeks developed sophisticated techniques, creating detailed and colorful designs depicting scenes from mythology, nature, and daily life.

From Pompeii, Casa di Orfeo National Archaeological Museum, Naples

By Marie-Lan Nguyen (2011), Public Domain

Roman mosaics, such as those in Ceasarea Martima in Israel, are perhaps the most well-known. The Romans built upon earlier traditions and used mosaics extensively in their villas, public baths, and temples. These mosaics often featured geometric patterns, intricate borders, and elaborate central panels known as emblema depicting mythological scenes. One of the most famous examples is the Alexander Mosaic from the House of the Faun in Pompeii, which portrays the Battle of Issus between Alexander the Great and Darius III.

Alexander Mosaic

Photo by: Magrippa at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

In Capernaum, where Jesus walked, stunning mosaic images of menorahs, flowers and geometric patterns adorned the synagogue floor as a testament to the Jewish community's vibrant faith.

In Christian contexts, mosaics often conveyed theological messages. The stunning 5th-century mosaics in Jerusalem's Church of the Nativity illustrated biblical narratives, while others featured symbols like the Ichthys (Jesus fish) and Alpha-Omega.

Mosaic of Menorah from Hammam Lif synagogue
 Tunisia, 6th c. Brooklyn Museum

In my travels, I noticed that the earlier mosaic floors were in black and white or monochrome designs, and later evolved into intricate colored designs, which reminded me of television and evolution into technicolor.

The most astounding part about all of this is the way these ancient artists carefully selected each stone, creating works of beauty and meaning. The process of creating a mosaic floor was labor-intensive and required great skill. Artists would first prepare the floor surface with a layer of mortar. Then, they would carefully place the tesserae according to a pre-drawn design, ensuring that the pieces fit together tightly. Once the design was complete, the gaps were filled with liquid mortar, and the surface was polished to a smooth finish. The craftsmanship was so well done that many of the mosaics survive today with remnants of their original color.

Mosaic floors were not only decorative but also served practical purposes. They were durable and easy to clean, making them ideal for high-traffic areas. Additionally, the use of different colors and materials allowed for a wide range of artistic expression, from simple monochromatic patterns to complex, multi-colored scenes.

As you immerse yourself in Christian fiction, remember the real-life stories etched into these ancient floors. Imagine walking alongside biblical figures, feeling the texture beneath your feet, and deciphering the symbols that spoke to their faith.

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Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award for historical fiction, Amber Lemus inspires hearts through enthralling tales She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".

She lives near the Ozarks in her "casita" with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a boy mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples.

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