Photographs and memories; Rittercelebrates 30th reunion
BRENDA KAY LEDFORD Guest Writer

Photos by Brenda Kay Ledford DeeAnn Satterfield and Kim Massey of Greenville, SC look at the memorabilia of Ritter Lumber Company.

Logging boomed in Clay County from 1939 until 1964. The W.M. Ritter Lumber Company sawmill was located on Ritter Road and employed about 90 people.

The 30th annual Ritter Lumber Company Reunion was held Sunday, September 9, at the Clay County Senior Center. A display of photographs and memorabilia recounted the history of logging.

Smith Danielson, president of the group, has a legacy with Ritter. His father and grandfather worked for the lumber company at Rainbow Springs before it moved to Clay County.

Danielson's mother, Eva, taught in a one-roomed school at Rainbow Springs. She took a logging train from Franklin to reach the school. Ritter built her a cabin near the schoolhouse. She had a heater in the house with an oven in the stovepipe where she baked bread.

Ritter provided housing for the loggers and a company store at Rainbow Springs. The lumber yard stood across the road and the sawmill spiraled nearby. The Shay engine shimmied from the mill to the mountains for timber. Loggers kept the tracks sanded to keep the train from running away.

Dalton, Becky & Smith Danielson enjoying food at the Ritter Reunion.

Memories such as these highlighted the Ritter Reunion. After a covered-dish luncheon, Smith Danielson gave the devotion. Each person then received a door prize.

The following officerswere elected: Smith Danielson, president; Becky Danielson, treasurer, and Nannie McGaha, secretary.

Finally, next year's Ritter Lumber Company Reunion will be held on Sunday, September 14, 2008 at the Clay County Senior Center. Mark your calendars to attend and help preserve the history of our region.

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