JKL Museum lost in fire
The JKL Museum / American Museum of Telephony and surrounding residences were lost to fire last night (September 10 2015).
The community of Mountain Ranch CA where the museum was located may also be affected. We were told by firefighters that the museum burned to the ground. Currently no one can get into the area. The fire is called the Butte fire. As soon as we have more news we will post it on our website: http://jklmuseum.com
This seems unreal. Steve Hart and a few people were there just last week, and posted pictures of your museum on Facebook. That jogged my memory and I remembered selling your museum a new old stock yellow 711B princess phone last year on eBay.
Hopefully you can rebuild. The videophone and the 10-button Call-A-Matic may be hard to replace, but many of the other units that were lost are out there in the hands of private collectors.
At least nobody was physically hurt, and that’s more important.
HUGE loss. I remember calling into the 209-755-44xx switch just to hear the tones. Irreplaceable equipment, this is indeed a tragedy to those of us who so love and appreciate this stuff. I’m so sorry… words cannot express how saddening this is. I will indeed miss dialing into and hearing the switch. Thank God you all are OK, and I do hope you’ll rebuild!
I am heartbroken to hear of your loss. I hope you had a bit of warning and time to save some pieces from your museum. Please tell Valerie hello from her old friend from Pac West Telecomm. My prayers are with all of you. -Patti
John and team,
Sorry to hear the tragic news, and I am glad that everyone is safe. I will be watching for further word on any salvage or efforts to rebuild.
I was completely shocked when I read of this terrible news. Although I was never fortunate enough to visit the museum in person, on many occasions I spent time just browsing your photos again and again. I had hoped that some day I would find myself in the area so that I could visit the museum. It is fortunate that there was no injury or loss of life.
My heart-felt condolences to all of you.
An absolute tragedy! I am so sorry to hear of this news.
Sue Mundy called me today and told me the sad news. What a terrible loss. My regrets go out to John LaRue, Wayne Merritt, Remco Enthoven and the many others who helped make a great telephone museum. So much history is lost. Joe Celentano, Twain Harte, CA.
So very sorry for your loss, John and team. You’ve done a remarkable thing in creating and building that place up. All of use who were lucky enough to be treated to a visit are forever grateful. Best wishes to you in a most difficult time.
John thank you for sharing your passion and love of Telephony. I thank you for showing us your museum. Joshua and Kailee still talk of the phones you demonstrated. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you.
John I’m so very sorry I know the work and the years of love you invested. I pray no one got hurt and when the time is right it can be rebuilt better than ever.
God Bless,
John
So sorry to hear this sad news, I still remember what wonderful hosts all of you were when we visited you some years back. I’m happy everyone is ok.
So sad to hear this news
It is so sad to hear the museum and the was lost to the fire. I will always remember visiting there with my Great Uncle Wayne and being so impressed with the collection. I hope you are able to find a way to bring the history of the telephone back to life for future generations!
This is horrible.
When you are ready to rebuild, I would be happy to donate a large number of phones.
I’m really sorry.
– Randy
Very sad news indeed. Hope everybody is OK and nobody got hurt.
Oh, my God! Despite my sorrow over all that must have been lost, I hope everyone is safe, and that the Museum can rebuild. Stay strong, Guys! I pray it wasn’t as bad as first reports give!
I’m so sad to learn of the loss of the museum and your home, Remco. Chris and I send our support to you, John, Wayne, Lorne and the rest of the crew.