Seneca School students recently completed a new mural under the direction of Carol Poppenga, Artist in Residence. More than just a pretty picture, the mural celebrates Seneca’s unique and fascinating history as a Hines Lumber Company town.
-----Depicted in the mural are scenes of historical significance, such as: Camp One, the logging camp that preceded Seneca’s existence; horse logging and the log train; and the old company buildings which are no longer there, the business district (store-restaurant-tavern-movie theater building) and the huge railroad shops. Students also included scenes of historical fascination for them: Ol’ Dude (Seneca’s version of Trigger), the logging horse; the record 54 degrees below zero temperature set in 1933; the chain saw set on fire to warm it up; the company swimming pool; the “cheese boxes,” temporary housing pulled in from Camp One; and the school in its original form.
-----Prior to designing the mural, in early March students in all grades embarked upon a schoolwide research project, the scope of which will carry students through the next several years. Jack Southworth, Seneca rancher and self-appointed historian and guardian angel of Seneca School, kicked off the project with the logging portion of his slide show of Bear Valley history. After an engrossing two hours of slides and excellent questions and answers, students spent the rest of that week studying old photographs and newspaper clippings on loan from Seneca City Hall. They also researched the excellent website of Oregon’s logging history, www.oregongreengold.com, created and maintained by Martin Morisette of Post, Oregon. Mr. Morisette had sent the teaching staff two previously-published articles of Seneca’s history, which were shared with students as well.
-----By the time artist Carol Poppenga arrived, students knew just what had to be part of the mural. Ms. Poppenga faced a two-part challenge. She had to design it so that all the students’ ideas could be contained on the designated wall. She also had to include every student in each of grades Kindergarten through eight, from the sketching stage to the final brush of paint.
-----To begin, students chose pictures, borrowed from City Hall and the Greengold website, to practice sketching. During this phase, they shared with Ms. Poppenga all that they had been learning about Seneca. Their input helped her put everything together in a unified master plan. Next, the students worked in small groups to sketch their designs with chalk on the wall. After sketching, and again working in small groups, students applied the underlying colors of paint, then layered color over that, and finished with details. Upon completion, students signed their names below the mural. A frame will be added at a later date.
-----As an added feature, students helped paint a mini mural on the opposite wall to set off the eagle head carved and donated by Ralph White, chain saw artist from John Day. Also on that wall is a mounted ram’s head, donated by Jack Southworth. Both animals appear to look upon the students’ handiwork with admiration.

Judith Beaudet Reed
Seneca School