Loomis Library & Community Learning Center

LOOMIS BASIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Judge Ed B. Silva
Edward Burton Silva was born near Rattlesnake Bar in 1854. His father operated a store first at Rattlesnake, then at the short-lived town of Auburn Station. When Ed was 10 years old, his family moved to Newcastle.
At age 13, Ed began helping his father in the grocery. One day, a customer ordered syrup. The syrup was drawn from a large keg and Ed was entrusted with the task. He placed an empty jug beneath the spout. The day was cold. The syrup ran slow. Young Ed left the room and went hunting for bird nests. Sometime later, his father entered the room, saw syrup running all over, and rushed to the keg. He got all sticky with syrup. His small dog, who followed him around, got all sticky with syrup. No need to say what Ed got when he returned from hunting!
Ed worked at many jobs. One of his earliest was assistant telegrapher with the railroad. Others included bookkeeper, lumber worker, hotel clerk, fruit company employee, and nurseryman. He ran orchards in Penryn and Newcastle. In 1899, with Jack Bergtholdt, he founded the Silva-Bergtholdt Company. He left the company in 1901, but his name remained. Later, he had a store at Newcastle, and he served one term on the Placer County Board of Supervisors.
In 1935, at the age of 80 -- “an age when most men are looking for an armchair,” wrote the Placer Herald -- Ed became Justice of the Peace of Township 14 (Penryn and Newcastle). In addition to his own busy court, at various times he presided at justice courts in Auburn, Colfax, Foresthill, Lincoln and Roseville. He retired in 1951 after nearly 17 years in office. He was 97 years old, thought to be the oldest active judge in the state.
Judge Silva enjoyed gardening. He grew flowers, fruit, vegetables and berries. His garden and orchard were located on top of a granite hill, but that didn’t bother the judge. The newspaper reported, “He just takes a heavy hammer and makes small rocks out of the big ones that get in his way.”
Ed B. Silva, Newcastle’s oldest resident, expected to live to 100, but he fell short of his goal. He passed away at his home on April 24, 1952. He was 98 years old. See less

What to Plant in July -
Annuals - Direct seed Alyssum, Celosia, Marigolds, Sunflower, Zinnia.
Vegetables - At higher, cooler elevations, direct seed summer squash, bush beans, summer savory and kohlrabi.

-Pinch off the top pair of leaves on all chrysanthemum shoots longer than 5” to keep plants bushy and to produce more flowers.
-Think about choosing a low maintenance and low water ground cover rather than a lawn.
-Cut spent berry to the ground; tie up and fertilize new canes.
-Prune apricots and cherries now thru August to avoid Europa fungus. Remove about 20% of this year’s growth.
-Harvest vegetables promptly to encourage continued production. Check zucchini daily.
-Trim faded crape myrtle flowers for a 2nd fall bloom.
-Pick caterpillars off vegetables and flowers. Spray with Bt if needed.
-Cut canna stems to the ground as they finish flowering; new stems will continue to appear.
-Fruit trees pruned to reduce height as fruit bushes should be pruned at this time. Timing is important.
-Make sure hanging containers receive sufficient water.
-Perform last feeding of citrus by mid-August. Feed with a low nitrogen fertilizer.
-Dig and divide over-crowded irises and bulbs when the foliage dies off.
-Pick up dropped stone fruit to reduce pests and disease. Clean around trees.
-Watering and pest control are at the top of the “things to do “ list
-Remove spent lavender blooms to promote a second bloom. Light pruning to shape may be done at this time.
-Remove spent flowers of dallies, roses, and other bloomers as they finish flowering.
-Water between midnight and 9 a.m. to reduce the chance of fungal infection and conserve moisture.
-Check tomato plants for hornworms and remove. To control excessive damage, spray with Bt.
-Surplus harvest? Consider sharing with neighbors or a food.
-Keep vegetable gardens picked up and move non-diseased debris to compost bin.
-Spray off aphids with water or use insecticidal soap.

LOOMIS BASIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S THROWBACK THURSDAY: Newcastle Portuguese Hall

Portuguese settlers first arrived in California during the Gold Rush. In Placer County, they worked in the mines and for the railroad. With the development of the fruit industry, many came to Newcastle and planted orchards. These Portuguese farmers were from the Azore Islands.

In 1901, local lodges of three fraternal benefit societies formed:

1. Sociedade Portuguesa Rainha Santa Isabel (SPRSI; Queen Saint Isabel Portuguese Society). SPRSI was a ladies’ lodge. Among 14 charter members were Mesdames M. Andrada, A. Bettencourt, M. Armes, M. Freitas, M.E. Perry, E. Soto, Miss M. Perry, V. Silva and Iniz Armes. Mrs. Joe Armes was the first president.

2. Irmandade do Divino Espirito Santo (IDES; Brotherhood of the Divine Holy Spirit). Among 16 charter members were Fred Armes, J. Freitas, J. Goulart, M. Marshall, A.E. Perry, M.L. Perry, Joe Peters, T. Rogers, M.J. Silva Sr, and M.J. Silva Jr.

3. Uniao Portuguesa do Estado da California (UPEC; Portuguese Union of the State of California). Original Portuguese names of the 17 charter members include Federico Armas, Jose P. Armas, Manuel P. Armas, Jose S. Freitas, Manuel Marcelino, Francisco L. Pereira, Manuel L. Pereira, Thomas F. Pereira, Jose Peters, Antonio Rodrigues, and Manuel J. Silva Jr.

In 1918, the three lodges built a meeting hall on land donated by siblings Manuel and Mary Perry.

The Portuguese Hall was used for meetings, dances and card parties. In 1926, the SPRSI and IDES jointly celebrated their 25th anniversary there. Over 450 people attended. The program included vocal selections by George Kellogg, and dances by Lorraine Donovan, Jane Noia and Marcele Noia, accompanied by Agnes Donovan on the piano. Guests enjoyed a chicken banquet with two huge birthday cakes, each with 25 candles, for dessert.

In 1930, Highway 40 (now Taylor Road) was widened. The hall was moved back from the road to its present location.

In 1981, the Portuguese-American Historical Committee sought historic landmark designation for the hall. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 25, 1982. A plaque was dedicated in 1986.