Growing Up in Pennsylvania’s Lumber Camps: The Story of Minnie Showers Test

Childhood in the Camps

The life of Minnie Showers Test provides a unique and vivid account of growing up in Pennsylvania’s lumber camps during the early 20th century. Minnie’s story, passed down through interviews and her son Duane’s recollections, captures the resilience and adaptability required to thrive in these remote and challenging environments.

Minnie’s journey to the lumber camps began in tragedy. Orphaned at the age of 9 in 1922, she moved from West Virginia’s coal regions to Clearfield County to live with her aunt Lizzie and uncle Jim Dodge. Together, they raised her in various lumber camps, where she quickly became an integral part of the camp’s daily operations.

Life at the Camps: Hard Work and Community

The first camp Minnie lived at was located between Medix Run and Benezette in Elk County. Housed in a large farmhouse, the camp accommodated 15 men, and Minnie and her aunt were responsible for preparing meals. Later, they moved to a camp at Coleman Siding in Clinton County, situated along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. This camp was one of several overseen by her uncle.

By the age of 11, Minnie was already working alongside her aunt as a cook for a crew of 25–30 men, a number that swelled to 35–40 during bark peeling season. Her responsibilities extended beyond meal preparation; she cleaned oilcloth table linens, set tables, washed dishes, and maintained oil lamps. Her uncle even hired a man to help with kitchen chores, a rare luxury in such camps.

A Daily Routine of Dedication

Minnie and her aunt Lizzie’s days started at 4:30 a.m. to prepare three meals daily. Breakfasts typically featured eggs, bacon, biscuits, and fried potatoes, while supper and dinner included meat, vegetables, potatoes, bread, and desserts like pies, cakes, and rice pudding. To keep supplies fresh, Minnie’s uncle built a springhouse for butter, dairy, and meats.

Supplies were ordered from catalogs or purchased locally from Clearfield’s Lauderbach and Zerby. They were delivered to the camp by a weekly supply train. Spring and fall brought extra chores, including the extensive washing and delousing of camp blankets. Fires were built, water hauled from the camp’s wells, and kerosene used to kill bedbugs, a common nuisance in the bunkhouses.

A Sense of Community Amidst Hardship

Despite the demanding work, Minnie fondly remembered the kindness of the woodsmen. According to her son Duane, the men often brought her small trinkets and candy when they visited town. She cherished the songs and music they played on guitars and accordions, which provided moments of joy and connection amidst the hard labor.

Eventually, Minnie’s uncle became the superintendent of three camps, allowing the family to move into a bungalow with modern conveniences like running hot and cold water and indoor plumbing—a significant upgrade from the rustic camp facilities.

Education and the End of Camp Life

Minnie’s story also highlights the sacrifices children in lumber camps often made. She was unable to attend school beyond the third grade, as her help was needed at camp and schools were inaccessible in these remote locations. When the camps closed around the time Minnie turned 15, it marked the end of an era. Her uncle’s lumber company went bankrupt, coinciding with the Great Depression.

Minnie returned briefly to West Virginia before settling in Curwensville with her aunt and uncle. In 1937, she married Leon Test and started a family of her own, raising three children: Joseph, Kenneth, and Duane.

The Legacy of Lumber Camp Life

Minnie Showers Test’s life reflects the resilience and adaptability required of those who lived and worked in Pennsylvania’s lumber camps. Her story is a testament to the hard work and community spirit that defined these camps, where every individual contributed to the success of the operation.

Minnie’s experiences also shed light on the challenges faced by women and children in the lumber industry. From the physical demands of camp work to the sacrifices made for the sake of family and community, her story offers a glimpse into a way of life that has largely disappeared but remains an integral part of the Lumber Heritage Region’s history.

Honoring Minnie’s Story

The accounts of individuals like Minnie Showers Test remind us of the human side of the lumber industry. By preserving and sharing these stories, we honor the contributions of women and children who played vital roles in the success of Pennsylvania’s lumber camps.