Re: Sumpter Valley Bates question

It is my understanding Bates was strictly a town for OLC employees. Austin was in existence before Bates and therefore the depot was at Austin. Another community that existed in the area on the hill above Bates was Newtville (sp). There is a terraced area on the hillside that was the community location. I assume Newtville was not a company owned area, but do not know that for certain. Newtville shows up in some of the previously posted photos of Bates.

BTW, my last trip through the area the old Austin water supply building roof has collapsed. Also, the mill building at Whitney is just about flattened.

dan