Happy New Year!

As we wind down 2007, the folks at the Goffs Cultural Center
wish everyone a happy and prosperous 2008!

Watch a month's progress compressed into two seconds...

Winding down for the holidays

Report and photos by Dennis Casebier

Dan Cordova & Co. showed up a little before 7:00 AM this morning. The wind came up at about the same time and picked up here throughout the morning. It was pretty cool at about 40 degrees at mid-morning.

The framers are out there putting plywood up on the walls. Mr. Cordova hopes to have it completely around the building by the time they leave today, which is likely to be before noon.

The understanding is that there will be a break from construction next week.

More and more it is beginning to feel like a building.

Framed walls go up

Report and photos by Dennis Casebier

The exciting news is that most if not all the framed walls of the Library/Depot are up. Dan Cordova and crew are here through tomorrow squaring it all up. Looks great. I have a wonderful view of the new building from my office window across Lanfair Road.

A lumber truck arrived this morning with the plywood to be used for the sheer panels.

The framing crew's progress almost ground to a halt mid-day. They needed the special heavy duty square washers for the anchor bolts and didn't have any. They are required by code. Mr. Cordova checked with Lowes and Home Depot yesterday evening and they didn't have any. A truck was coming out with the plywood so he asked the supplier to bring some out. They didn't have any either.

Goffians to the rescue! Once Dan told me what the problem was we produced a whole box of them within five minutes. Bill Fullerton [rest in peace] had squirreled them away in the metal cabinet behind the AT&T shed. So the crew was able to go foward and raise the walls.

Walls are framed

Report and photo by Dennis Casebier

General contractor Cordova arrived with his crew at about 7:45 AM this morning and went right to work. They were busy framing all day. They got most, if not all, of the first floor walls done.

Tomorrow some time, the framed walls will be stood up into place. That's going to be exciting and it should be a real photo op. Mr. Cordova and crew are expected back bright and early tomorrow morning.

We are being blessed with ideal weather for this time of year.

Framing begins

Report by Dennis Casebier

It was a productive day today with things little less frantic than yesterday. General contractor Dan Cordova uses his own crew to do the framing. They showed up bright and early this morning (five of them altogether) and commenced working on the Library/Depot.

First, they went around marking out construction lines on the slab poured just yesterday. Then, they spent the rest of the day installing the treated wood (keeps termites away) bottom plate to the bolts that protrude above the concrete. It was music to our ears to hear the saws buzzing away. Tomorrow there is the prospect we'll hear hammers.

Mr. Cordova hopes – if the weather holds – he'll have the entire bottom floor framed by the end of this week. Unlike yesterday, there wasn't much for us locals to do except stand by and gaze on in amazement.

Slab poured and lumber delivered

Report and photos by Dennis Casebier

Today was a very busy day for the Goffs Cultural Center with all activities centering around construction of the new Library/Depot.

Craig Merriam's concrete crew came on to the property at 6:00 AM. The four concrete trucks from Mohave Valley began arriving a little before 7:00 AM, staggered at about fifteen minute intervals. This was in addition to the three trucks that poured the footings Friday.

The five men comprising the concrete crew worked frantically handling that amount of mud. But in not much more than a hour and a half the footprint of the slab was filled in and the four trucks had come and gone.

The crew spent much of the rest of the day finishing it off. The result is a really fine-looking slab upon which the Library/Depot will be based.

At mid-afternoon, a huge lumber delivery truck arrived with a heavy load from Palm Springs. The contractors had all left. They had indicated to us where they'd like the lumber placed, so it fell to the Goffs crew to direct the placement of the lumber and assist the driver in the actual unloading.

That required nearly three hours - it was getting dark and a cold breeze had come up before that work was done.

So now there's a massive assortment of lumber out there ready to be made into a building and we understand the contractor will be back tomorrow morning and begin nailing boards together! This is pretty exciting stuff for us MDHCA members at Goffs.

For our part, the following people were present and helping out as they could throughout the day: Gus and Stella Lind, Ron Shepard, John Harrington, Hugh & Carol Brown, Morris & Judy Swain, Jan Sears, Jerry Sears, and Dennis & Jo Ann Casebier.

Burro bush whapping continues

Report by Dennis Casebier

Jerry Sears is out there continuing his burro bush whapping. He'll soon have all the burro bushes removed in between the creosotes from the Library/Depot site to the caboose, thereby diminishing the threat by wildfire. He's done a lot of work on it and Jan has helped.

30 yards of concrete footings poured

Concrete is poured into the stem wall forms.

Report and photo by Dennis Casebier

Craig Merriam and his three-person concrete crew rolled onto the property at 6:45 AM this morning. Within fifteen minutes the first of three concrete trucks from Mohave Valley arrived. The other two trucks of "mud" showed up at 45 minute intervals.

Pretty soon Gus and Stella and I were out there, joined later by Jo Ann and John Harrington. So there were plenty of supervisors! These three loads were for the footings and it turned out three full loads was not quite enough. The shortage will be made up when the slab is poured.

Craig had hoped to pour the slab tomorrow (Friday) but the forecast is for 14 MPH winds early in the morning, building up to something closer to 20 MPH by the afternoon. Craig says that's too much so the slab will not be poured tomorrow. The next window of opportunity will be Monday.

It was cold this morning - right at 30 degrees. We had ice on the bird water for the first time this season. But there was very little breeze so it was not uncomfortable.

By 9:00 AM, the last of the three concrete trucks were cleaning out.

Around 1:00 PM, I noticed an extra white pickup at the work site. I found general contractor Dan Cordova there. He was pouring over the plans and had detailed questions about measurements and a few other items. I got John Harrington so we could all go over the details together. We had about an hour-long meeting over the details.

General contractor Dan Cordova is a carpenter by trade. His crew will be doing the framing. He had hoped to begin framing on Monday, but now that will have to be delayed. Dan says they'll start framing Tuesday and have the first story done by the end of the week. He said the lumber will arrive Monday and he showed me where he wants it placed.

Craig Merriam's crew is still out there working with the forms and concrete poured this morning.

I went to the pantry and fetched the notebook with all the photos we have of the Depot for show and tell. Everyone was very interested.

First inspection passed

Report by Dennis Casebier

We had our first inspection today. Building Inspector Stephen Given was here by 8:30 this morning. I took him out to the work site. Outside temperature was 31 degrees, the coldest we've had this season.

He checked things over and gave his approval on temporary power, foundation reinforcing steel, excavation and forms, slab grade, and ground plumbing.

I called Craig and gave him the green light. If he'd known the inspection would happen this early he would have poured some concrete today. Anyway, he'll be here early tomorrow morning and will be pouring by 7:00 AM. He'll pour footings tomorrow.

Craig had hoped to pour the slab on Friday but looking ahead at the weather he's afraid it is going to be too windy. He'll have his eye on the weather.

Steel is ready for inspection

Bay window footing forms and steel for the depot slab.

Report and photo by Dennis Casebier

Craig Merriam with his crew arrived here before 7:15 AM. General contractor Dan Cordova was also here this morning. Here's a summary of the work done today;

The "steel" is in place and ready for concrete to be delivered. It looks good. Craig expects to call for about three 10-yard trucks Thursday and maybe five or more on Friday. He'll have the normal crew of three or four here Thursday but maybe even one extra on Friday. Of course Craig will be out here Thursday and Friday. I get the impression all our concrete may be poured this week.

Gus Lind was here all day providing contact backup with Craig and for awhile with Dan Cordova while we had appointments in town.

I'll be interfacing with the building inspector tomorrow. It appears everyone has done their homework so we don't expect any issues.

John E. Masterson from Rinker Materials of Mohave Valley was here this afternoon. He and Craig went over the ground and the approaches the concrete trucks are to use. Gus will is firing up the tractor late this afternoon to smooth out two of the approaches the concrete trucks will have to use.

We are grateful Gus was here today. He was out on the grounds most of the day interfacing with Craig and Dan.

It was cold and windy in Goffs today. Even colder and windier in Bullhead City.

Steel and bush whacking

The concrete crew constructs the form for the stem wall.

Report and photo by Dennis Casebier

The concrete crew - four strong - started work a little after six this morning. They are leveling out the ground by hand and have also brought a trailer load of "steel" (various kinds of reinforcing steel). They are determined to be ready for inspection on Wednesday.

At 7:30 AM the temperature was 34 degrees and a bit of a breeze.

A little before noon Jo Ann and I were out at the work site. Craig was talking about trying to get concrete lined up from Rinker of Mohave Valley. He has hopes of getting some delivered later this week.

Jerry and Jan Sears, with assistance from Gus on the tractor, have been working for a week now clearing burro brushes from in between the creosote bushes between the west side of the Library/Depot construction site and the caboose. This is a precaution in case of wildfire from the west.

Director Kaldenberg visits the construction site

Craig Merriam and Russ Kaldenberg consult on progress.

Report and photo by Dennis Casebier

MDHCA director, archaeologist, and cultural resources expert Russ Kaldenberg stopped by this afternoon on his way from California to Wyoming. I gave him a tour of the Library building site. Russ had an opportunity to talk with contractors about their construction plans, provide his expertise on their work, plans, concrete needs, scheduling, and other matters. We also discussed historic accuracy regarding the east wall.

It was good Russ got to see the work and progress.

Rained out today

Report by Dennis Casebier

It rained a little here during the night. It is windy and heavy overcast now, but not actually raining. The concrete man, Craig, didn't show up this morning. Apparently it rained more over in the Morongo Basin than here in Goffs and the wind is blowing hard. Anyway, they have decided not to come today but they'll be back to work Monday and Tuesday to be ready for inspection on Wednesday.

Forms and plumbing

The concrete crew continues construction of the forms.

Report and photo by Dennis Casebier

Looks like another busy day. Two pickup loads of the concrete workers arrived from Twentynine Palms area at 6:30 am. These boys get up early.

The plumber Tim Henry is here. He'll stub out the sewer line and the water line and fill back in behind himself. I asked him to mark and tag the two places where these stubs will be buried.

The greatest excitement this morning is that the nine volt battery expired in concrete man Craig's laser machine. Everything ground to a halt. They had to stop putting forms in. Craig jumped in his vehicle and sped off to Fenner. No batteries. That's when it occurred to him he might call me. We had one and had them back on line in a jiffy.

They are moving right along with the forms. I would be hard pressed to guess what percentage they have done, but considerable. Craig tells me the job is going to require about 50 yards of concrete.

It is heavy overcast, gloomy, and cool today.

Trenching for the footings

Craig Merriam's concrete crew begins digging trenchs for the footings.

Report and photo by Dennis Casebier

Things are hopping at Goffs. The contractors began arriving from Twentynine Palms at 6:30 am.

Presently the graders (whose job is essentially done), concrete man, and trenchers, and General Contractor Dan Cordova are on the ground. Must be ten people out there. I've been out there continuously since 6:45 am. The weather doesn't get nicer.

With Chris on the phone so I could verify my logic, I approved the exact siting of the building. The building is now marked out on the ground and the trencher is going to dig for the footings.

The cement man is expecting a pretty thorough inspection a week from today. The way seems clear for a quick inspection. The concrete man, Craig Merriam, can begin to pour when and if they pass inspection next Wednesday. He plans to pour the entire thing before Christmas. It'll take two pouring days and will be dependent upon weather. Craig has three people here besides himself.

Electrical is being done by Fred of CWS electrical. A/C is in the hands of High Desert Air. The trenching man is Bruce Pendergrass.

New workampers, Jerry and Jan Sears, worked hard whapping burro bushes out west of the Library/Depot site. This effort is designed to expand the perimeter of our fire breaks around our beautiful new building.

By the end of the day, all of the trenching for footings was completed. John Marnell checked the trenches on the ground with John Harrington's model of the Depot and has certified they are correct. The weather is beautiful but I'm hearing there may be heavy weather moving in by this coming weekend.

The pad is done

Camera angle makes it difficult to see pad of dirt built up for base for the Library. This extra elevation will go a long way in keeping water away from the Library.

Report and photo by Dennis Casebier

Lehman Excavators completed the pad for the Library about noon today. Nice job. General contractor Dan Cordova will be here tomorrow to inspect the pad and the concrete man will be here to lay out the foundation forms on the pad.

I'm not an expert on pads but I think they did a great job. The people from whom they rented the tractor (out of Bullhead) will come and pick up the tractor in the morning. I had them lift me up in the bucket of the tractor to get the photo of the pad. If the rest of the subcontractors are as good as Lehman Excavators then we'll do very well.

Grading for the Library pad begins

Report by Dennis Casebier

7:00 AM
A big truck pulling a trailer with the tractor on board has arrived. It is out on Lanfair Road and the tractor is being unloaded. Sam and Mike supervising. Something is about to happen. Overnight low in low 30s but not freezing. Looks clear out today.

9:00 AM
It is happening! Those boys are out there moving dirt. Because of the recent rains, the soil is perfect. All us local Goffians are out there standing around ... there is a smile on every face ... there is excitement in the air. There is a sense that something of importance is underway! Like when the Route 66 House came up from Essex and when we started on restoration of the Schoolhouse. We are embarked on something of the greatest importance. Sam mentioned that general contractor Dan Cordova will be out some time today.

12:00 Noon
The pad is coming together nicely. The soil is perfect, thanks to two days of rain. When do we get two days of rain back-to-back coming down slowly enough that it soaks in instead of running off? Must be a good sign. Everything is very positive around here. Everyone can see something is going to happen. That beautiful and distinctive building is going to rise up out of the desert.

Grader arrives

Report by Dennis Casebier

Actual construction work commenced when Sam and Mike Lehman of "Lehman Excavators" out of Joshua Tree started work forming the pad of dirt that the Library/Depot will be built upon. The pad is designed to raise the floor of the Library one foot above "grade" to avoid the potential of water intrusion during a flash flood.

Later in this week the concrete subcontractor will be here putting in forms. Soon cement trucks will be rumbling up and down the hill from Mohave Valley. And, over the next five or six months, our beautiful new library building, constructed in the image of the old (1900-1956) Goffs railway depot, will take shape.

Construction contract signed

Report by Hugh Brown

On behalf of the Association, Director Hugh Brown traveled to Yucca Valley today and signed a contract with General Contractor Dan Cordova to construct the Mojave Desert Archives Library building.

Dan says the grader is in Goffs today to do the necessary watering and will begin work on the pad next week. He also says the concrete crew is lined up right behind the grader.

Library Of Congress Team Visits Goffs

Senior Photograph Conservator, Adrienne Lundgren, and Carol Johnson, Curator of Photography, both from the Library of Congress, were at Goffs 15-16 November 2007 to review collections in the Mojave Desert Archives. While both women are experts in the photographic arena, they were equipped to survey all aspects of the collections. The purpose of the survey was to evaluate the importance of the collections and to provide advice on preservation measures needed to take proper care of those collections.

Shannon Raborn, Director for the Las Vegas office of U.S. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) joined us. Senator Reid has served as an honorary member of the Board of Directors of the MDHCA. He has a special interest in our work, as he was raised in Searchlight, Nevada. He is author of the popular book, Searchlight: The Camp That Didn't Fail. We had the pleasure of providing him with oral history, photographic, and other assistance while he was doing research for his book.

The product of this survey will be a report, certified by the Library of Congress, on the importance and condition of the collections. That report, in turn, can be used as an authority in applying for preservation grants. The report will also provide details of some types of infrastructure that should be incorporated into the new Library/Depot.

Construction contract awarded

Dan Cordova, General Contractor, Yucca Valley

Report by Chris Ervin

After more than three months of follow-up and review, the MDHCA Board of Directors has determined to award construction of the new Mojave Desert Archives Library to general contractor Dan Cordova of Yucca Valley.

Mr. Cordova comes highly recommended and has shown much enthusiasm for the project. The next step is to seek ratification of the Association's decision from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment in Sacramento.

The Board looks forward to signing the contract and beginning construction of the Library.

Water!

Report by Dennis Casebier

Water! Eagle drilling showed up fairly early this morning and activated the new well. We have water! We let it flow out on the ground for two hours. At the beginning of the two hours it was running a hair over 20 gpm. At the end of the two hours it was still running a hair over 20 gpm (meaning it didn't draw down any) and by that time most traces of drill mud were gone. So we've got water. We now need to get started on the water tanks.

Let There Be Light

Report by Dennis Casebier

Eureka! Southern California Edison came out and energized the 400-amp panel in our new Power House. That part of the job is done; the power is there for the new Library/Depot.

Many hands touched this project; it was genuinely a result of teamwork that pushed it over the goal line. Phil Motz provided the leadership and Ron Shepard and John Harrington were on hand at all times to provide assistance. Others helped.

Also, Phil Motz and Ron Shepard laid a 2" water line between the new Pump House and Power House.

Electrical system for Library installed

Report by Dennis Casebier

Let me say with great admiration and appreciation that a crew under the supervision of Engineer Phil Motz, and consisting also of Ron Shepard and John Harrrington, has installed the heavy wiring that connects the new 400-amp power feed in the Power House to the Pump House that will power the new well.

It is hot, complicated, and heavy work and they have been out there in 100+ degree heat on several days in succession. As of this date, the job is completed and has been approved by the San Bernardino County Department of Building and Safety.

Engineer Motz has been given the highest grades for his work.

General contractor list compiled

Report by Chris Ervin

The MDHCA Board of Directors has determined it prefers to pursue hiring a general contractor to perform the construction of the Library building. To that end, a list of twelve general contractor candidates has been collected and compiled for review and additional follow-up.

Electrical meter/distribution panel delivered

Report by Dennis Casebier

Robert Botich delivered a 400-amp panel and electrical conduit pipe to support the Library/Depot project. Mr. Botich secured a substantial discount on the panel benefitting the Association.

Building permit issued

Report by Chris Ervin

We have a building permit for the Library!

I took half a day off from work this morning to drive the 215-mile round trip from Orange County into Yucca Valley to pick up the permit and corrected plans from building inspector Gary Given at the San Bernardino County Building and Safety.

Trench dug from Power House to Pump House

Report by Dennis Casebier

Gail Andress dug a 100-foot trench from the new Power House to the new Pump House in anticipation of the extension of the new electrical service.

Spring Encampment volunteer efforts

Report by Phil Motz

In anticipation of the Encampment, John Harrington had acquired the 4-inch, 2-inch, and 1-inch conduit for the electrical lines for the Power House and Pump House buildings. Robert Botich dropped off fluorescent fixtures for both buildings and a 100-amp panel for the Pump House.

The fire break west of the library site was established by a crew consisting of John Harrington, Red Brooke, Sharon Holmes, Larry Burkholder, Chris and Leslie Ervin, Kib and Shirley Roby, and Jackie Ridge.

Kib Roby manicured the new well site.

The conduit for the 400-amp incoming electrical service was put in place.

New electrical service planned

Report by Dennis Casebier

Robert Botich, an electrician by trade, traveled from Corona to Goffs and met with Dennis Casebier, Phil Motz, and John Harrington to review Southern California Edison (SCE) electrical specifications and to plan out acquisition of 400-amp meter and circuit panel.

Pump House materials run

From the Mojave Road Report

Dennis Casebier, John Harrington, and Ron Shepard pulled the Big Tex trailer to Bullhead City to procure lumber and other materials for the new Pump House. Construction was commenced today by Ron Shepard and John Reiff.

Power House roofed

From the Mojave Road Report

Ron Shepard and John Reiff put roofing on the new Power House.

Pump House pour

From the Mojave Road Report

John Harrington, John Reiff, Ron Shepard, and Carl Weikel poured the concrete slab for the new Pump House and also a step at the new Power House.

Trench dug from street to Power House

Report by Dennis Casebier

An underground conduit trench was dug with volunteer labor between the Lanfair Road and the new Power House. The incoming new electrical service will be laid under the Blvd. of Dreams.

We con duit

From the Mojave Road Report

Bobby and Tom Smith and Don Johnson were here working on a ditch for the conduit that will carry the new electrical service to the new Power House. Tom also did maintenance on the Greening tractor.

Pump House preparation

From the Mojave Road Report

John Harrington commenced work on the foundation forms for the Pump House that will support the new well. John Reiff finished restoration fo the Slaughter cement mixer. Its first job will be to pour the Pump House foundation.

Power House roof

From the Mojave Road Report

Ron Shepard and John Reiff worked on installing the roof for the Power House.

Power House hip roof

From the Mojave Road Report

By the end of the day, most of the framing of the hip roof was in place.

Power House construction begins

Report and photos by Dennis Casebier
Wednesday

We procured the materials for the 10' X 12' Power House yesterday. Today "The crew" went to work on getting the wall framing up and most of the wooden materials. From left to right; Bob Beal, Dorothy Beal, John Harrington, Ron Shepard, John Rieff.

They also painted the structure with an undercoat as protection against warping. Hope we have another nice day tomorrow!

Power House preparation

From the Mojave Road Report

A detachment consisting of Bob Beal, John Harrington, and Dennis Casebier, pulled the Big Tex trailer down to Home Depot in Bullhead City. They loaded it with almost all of the materials that will be needed for construction of what we've been calling the "Power House" that will serve the new Library/Depot building.

It measures 10' X 12' and will feature an old-time hip roof. That same day, Dorothy Beal, Bob Beal, and John Harrington commenced putting an undercoat of paint of the newly purchased boards to keep them from warping.

Well is completed

Report by Dennis Casebier

The new well is completed. The concrete collar around the well head has been poured. The pump is installed and the pressure tank is in place.

Water stands in the new well at 580 feet with the pump set at 800 feet. Testing of the well will have to wait for the new electrical service.

Leftover concrete from the pouring of the well collar was donated by Eagle Drilling and used to fill in a 10’ X 12’ form for the new Power House slab. This small building will house the new electrical service for the Library.

Deep well pump installed

From the Mojave Road Report

The pump crew from Eagle Well Drilling was here. They installed the deep well pump, riser, electrical connections, and pressure tank. With those additions the well is completed. The well is 830 feet deep with the pump set at 800 feet. It appears to be a good well but we won't know for sure until we get the proper electrical line out there to test it.

Well concrete collar poured

From the Mojave Road Report

Eagle Well Drilling was here with a concrete truck Barstow. The concrete sleeve that must be poured alongside the casing down fifty feet was poured. They also poured the concrete collar and pad at the new well site.

They brought a full load of concrete when only half was needed. The rest was used by John Reiff, Ron Shepard, and Carl Weikel who were busy pouring cement for the new Power House slab and other projects around the property.

Power House forms

From the Mojave Road Report

Final forms, in anticipation of concrete, are set for the new Power House which will serve the new Library and the north end of the Goffs Cultural Center

Desert tortoise exclusion enclosure survey

Report and photo by Chris Ervin

Wildlife biologist Larry Sip checks GPS coordinates while performing the survey of the desert tortoise exclusion fence surrounding the Library/Depot building site. The fence is designed to ensure no tortoises wander into the construction zone and therefore keeps them out of harm's way. This survey by a qualified biologist fulfills a County requirement for compliance with our conditional use permit and the state environmental quality act.

Well casing cleaned out

From the Mojave Road Report

The well drillers came back today for just a day. It was cold and windy and we didn't know it then but the great cold snap of 2007 was on its way. They got the casing blown out and declared we have good water well. Then they cleaned up and took some of their equipment back to Newberry Springs.

Well bottom reached

From the Mojave Road Report

After a long break, Eagle Well Drilling was back on the job starting today through January 8. There was a lot of wind and cold weather while they were here, but they managed to get to the bottom and have the casing installed.

We had planned to go down to 850 feet, but at 835 feet or so we were at solid rock. It wasn't likely the quality of the well could beimporved by going deeper, so we called a halt.

The casing is set at 830 feet. Water typically stands at 560 feet in Goffs, so we are into plenty of water.