The town of Eureka, nestled on the waterfront in Humboldt County, California might not seem the ideal place for vintage Victorian homes, yet an eclectic mix of buildings built between 1860 and 1920 allows a true glimpse into the past. Its main claim is the abundance of mighty redwood trees though only 10% of the original 2 million acres of old-growth redwood remain. In addition to these "ambassadors of wood" as John Steinbeck called them, the landscape is peppered with extraordinary Victorian homes. Eureka boasts the largest number of Victorian homes per capita of any city in the United States, as well as the Carson Mansion, probably the most-photographed example of Victorian architecture in the world. A classic architectural treasure can be found on almost every block. Its other attractions include a 1910 working ferry that tours the bay, blacksmith and other vintage shops, a Victorian village and the "Wizard of Wood"....Eric Hollenbeck. 

(Please visit the local Visitors Bureau (www.redwoodvisitor.org) for more information on this fascinating area.)

Eric Hollenbeck along with his wife Viviana,  3 daughters, 5 dogs, 25 parakeets, 15 chickens, 5 cats, 2 oxen and 1 donkey have become among the most famous of Eureka's residents. Though fame and fortune are not their goals they have made such a tremendous impact on the preservation and restoration of old homes, especially Victorians, that the resultant recognition was inevitable. Eric, dubbed "The Wizard of Wood",  has made it a personal crusade to not only ply his woodworking trade in the truest tradition of the old-time craftsman but equally as important, he has dedicated selflessly much of his time ensuring that there will be another generation of true-to-the-era woodworking craftsmen to follow in his footsteps.

Eric worked chopping brush for surveyors at the age of 14 so it was a natural progression for him to start his own logging company at age 24,which soon evolved into wood product manufacturing. A brawny and bearded man, he looks every bit the part of an old time lumberjack. His wife, Viviana - a wizard in her own right - charged with the tasks of marketing and office administration, is an integral part of the operation today known as The Blue Ox Millworks and Historic Park. Their company specializes in reproducing not only the original wood accents popular in the Victorian style home, but doing it with the original tools and machines of the era which have been salvaged and restored over the years.

Honored by dignitaries such as President Clinton, Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt and various other federal, state and local officials for his input on the Northwestern Logging Policy Initiative, for the teaching of disadvantaged youths, preserving historical treasures and for showing that adaptation will permit the continuation of woodworking despite declining resources, Eric is truly as much a treasure as the homes and values he toils to preserve.  Surprisingly, he even finds the time for writing his own poetry and philosophical musings.

Equally important to the Hollenbecks is the idea of preserving the craftsmanship and artistry of the by-gone era by teaching a new generation of artisans in the traditional techniques of vintage woodworking. The Blue Ox School of the Traditional Arts is carrying on the tradition by working with disadvantaged and socially disenfranchised area youth. Serving as the primary teacher and role model his curriculum puts heavy emphasis on building self-esteem in these youths through the rewards of making something from scratch and by teamwork, much as the original lumber, logging and mill workers did. 

Blue Ox Millworks was started as a logging and lumber company in 1972 but has since evolved into a custom woodworking shop, a blacksmith shop, a historical museum and a trade school. So far there has been nothing they have been unable (or unwilling) to produce. Working from drawings, old photographs, pieces of original millwork salvaged from fires and demolition and sometimes just vague descriptions, Blue Ox Millworks can reproduce virtually anything in wood. Its vintage equipment and old-time process guarantees a finished product indistinguishable from the original. Though it's a painfully slow process, the rewards and satisfaction are evident in the faces and hearts of his craftsmen and the buyers alike. Blue Ox Millworks is the only shop known to custom match authentic wooden rain gutters.

The 9000 square foot facility, housed in an old abandoned and previously condemned power plant is where these authentic reproductions are re-born. The 6 artisans taught by Hollenbeck, the 3000 woodcutting knives donated by a retired woodworker and the rest of the vintage equipment can take a project from a log to the finished product. Their "Idea Book" contains examples of the many products available. These include siding, plinth blocks, rosettes, door and window casings, baseboards, wainscoting, chair rail, picture moldings, hand and bar rails, gutters, drip rails, lintel moldings, banisters, balusters, carved appliqués, gable decorations and full length columns turned in their vintage lathes. If you can imagine it - they can produce it.

Victorian Station is proud to announce the addition to our site of Mr. Hollenbeck as resident consultant. Mr Hollenbeck has graciously agreed to serve the needs of Victorian Station visitors by making himself available to answer questions about the restoration and preservation of Victorian homes, as well as his other passions.  We are honored to be associated with this man, his family, his company and his ceaseless efforts on behalf of homeowners and preservationists everywhere.

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