Luning's Drafting Table

Below is a photograph of what may well be the largest single piece of wood to be found in Tehama County, and quite possibly the largest board in the entire state. This drawing tabletop is made of one single piece of Sugar Pine lumber which measures 4ft-8in. wide by 15 ft' long. This board served as the drawing table of Tehama County native and professional surveyor, W. F. Luning.

William Frank Luning was born in Red Bluff, CA on July 3rd, 1857. During his lifetime, Mr. Luning began his work of surveying Tehama County in 1883. He served in the official positions of County surveyor and engineer for nearly 50 years. The drafting board was presented to Mr. Luning by the Sierra Lumber Company and was cut at the sawmill in Lyonsville, Tehama County.

You may learn more about Mr. Luning and veiw more of his works and his tools by stopping and visiting the Museum. Please visit!

Pictured standing beside the drafting table is Tehama County Museum cofounder Mrs. Margaret Bauer. Mrs. Bauer and her husband Merrill were central figures in the acquisition of the Museum building and the establishment of the Tehama County Museum Foundation.

Margaret currently serves as the secretary of the Museum Board of Directors, resident historian and editor of Museum Tidings, the Tehama County Museum's official newsletter.

IF ANYONE KNOWS THE WHERE-ABOUTS OF A BOARD LARGER THAN THIS ......

Please email us and let us know at the... Tehama County Museum.