Written by Marion Klimek and Valeria Bautch, 1948

This valley is located south of Independence and north of Arcadia.  It extends west of Hwy. 93.

Mr. Wickham was the first settler and worked the farm now owned by Mrs. Joe Ressel.  The valley was covered with trees and underbrush.  Later settlers were Peter Przybylla, Peter Kampa, Philip Klimek, Louis Klimek.  Piker was a settler on the Frank Koval farm.  Nevah was a homesteader, cleared away land for John Filla.  Albert Wiersgalla, John Sosalla, Albert Gritz and Albert Guza were other settlers.  There were no roads in the valley.

The older settlers' children recall the sayings of their parents that the lands where the where the creeks ran were good lands.  The heavy underbrush, vines, grasses and small trees held the moisture so there was very little runoff, hence no erosion.  There were many springs.  Wildlife was plentiful, such as cottontails, squirrels, raccoons, fox, weasels, bobcats, etc.

This valley was part of the Traverse Valley school district and children had to walk the distance to New City.

About 1890, separation from the Traverse Valley school district was made and a year later a school house was put up just west of Hwy. 93.  The heating stove was in the center of the room.  Source of water was a spring.  The water was brought into the school in a bushel and everyone drank from the same dipper.

The school term was for 6 months and 1898 the teachers pay was $18.00 per month.