Tucked away in the Oakland Public Library are numerous treasures which shed light on that city's extensive axe making past.
One such find is a letter dated April 20, 1965 from Harold York, the last general manager of the Emerson & Stevens Manufacturing Company, to film maker Peter Vogt. Mr. Vogts film "Pioneer Axe" gives a behind the scenes look at axe making at Emerson & Stevens in 1964. You can watch the "Pioneer Axe" film here.
Mr. York's three-page letter provides a first hand account of the history of Emerson & Stevens and insights into how the axes were made at the factory on the banks of the Messalonskee Stream.
Also found in the library were a series of drawings on how axes were made at Emerson & Stevens. These drawings were provided to the library by Peter Vogt and were drawn by his father, mechanical engineer Louis Fenn Vogt, Jr.
Thanks to the Oakland Public Library and Peter Vogt for keeping and sharing these important historical documents with us!