S.L. & Hazel Yearout Family Legacy Lodge
By Donald Yearout
Saint Leon (Speed) and Hazel Yearout were the parents of twelve (12) children, eight girls and four boys. Mom and Pop loved our family gatherings and parties, but especially picnics and camping trips in the mountains where dad could fish and mom could rely on her daughters to do most of the cooking and cleaning chores. They requested that we would always have at least one family picnic each year after they were gone. Their hope was that all of our children would know each other as they grew up and continue the tradition of strong family unity.
Dad loved to fish so our family spent his summer vacations in the mountains. Even later, after his retirement — if you wanted to see Pop in the summer — you’d have to pack up the kids and head for Deep Lake or one of his other favorite fishing spots. Many a family gathering was held in these remote locations. As a result, we all developed a love of mountain scenery, tall pines, clear running rivers, waterfalls and snow-capped mountain peaks.
Our mother passed away in 1957 and our father in 1961. Their estate was valued at five thousand, five hundred dollars ($5,500) and their Will stated that the money was to be divided equally among the remaining children, so each of us received a check for $500.
At a family gathering, someone suggested the possibility of “pooling” the money together to buy a cabin in the mountains as a lasting memorial to Speed and Hazel. We all agreed that if we missed this opportunity, the money would soon disappear with nothing to show for it. The decision was unanimous. We would find a “Yearout” cabin where we could provide a place for our family to gather and carry on the Yearout traditions, for then, now and generations to come. Mom and dad would like that.
We heard of a cabin that would suit our needs for sale in Pleasant Valley Summer Homes on Chinook Pass. It was a log cabin on the American River, which sounded great to us. About five of us drove up to see it. When we saw this old log cabin and its setting near the bend of the river — and peaked in the windows — we knew we had found “Legacy Lodge.” When the rest of the family saw it, they readily agreed and the search was over. We have never had a second thought.
We purchased the cabin — fully furnished — from the original owners in 1961 for $3,000. The remaining $2,000 was used to pay insurance and lease fees for several years. The cabin had been built in 1934 from logs that were cut and dragged across the river by a team of horses. As the year’s passed, we were using the cabin less and less and, after discussions with our children, the second generation, we decided to pass the torch. So, in 1977, we original owners gave their shares in the cabin to ten of their children that were interested in carrying on the tradition. A few of the second generation were too young to participate but were eagerly welcomed as cabin owners when they were old enough to appreciate its value to the family.
The meaning and spirit of the cabin is well intact. The singing, dancing and reminiscing at family gatherings still prevails. It is well maintained and we can all rest assured that the cabin is in good hands and that all original owners are always welcome and considered honorary members. We have a feeling that wherever mom and dad are, if they have observed the wonderful family gatherings and parties there over the years with the laughing, dancing and beautiful Barbershop harmony chords ringing through the pines until the wee hours of the morning, they are pleased and smiling.
This cabin was our legacy from Saint and Hazel and our memorial to them, and it is in that spirit that we have passed it on to our children. It is now their legacy to continue the tradition to link the generations of Yearouts yet unborn. Use it. Treasure it. Keep it.