110 km from the city of Penza, on both banks of the Kameshkir rivulet there is the ancient village of Russian Kameshkir. He has over 300 years of history. The lands on which this large village spread, for a considerable time belonged to Mordovian peoples, who were mainly engaged in forest beekeeping.
Geography, climate
Russian Kameshkir of the Penza region is located at a distance of 35 km from the railway station Chaadaevka (Kuibyshev railway), on the stretch of Penza - Samara. It stands on the banks of the Kameshkir River, which is a tributary of the Sura River. From the regional center (the city of Penza) it is separated by a distance of 120 km. Russian Kameshkir covers an area of about 125,000 hectares. It borders on the Saratov region.
The climate in the location of the village is temperate continental. Winter is not relatively cold, average temperatures in winter range from 12 to 14 degrees below zero. The average summer temperature is around 20 degrees with a plus sign. Very rarely, on particularly hot summer days, temperatures can rise above 35 degrees Celsius. In the fall, early frosts take place from the end of September.
The village of Russian Kameshkir is the district center of the Kameshkir district. Located on the Volga Upland. In this area hilly forms prevail.
History of occurrence
Mordovian merchants in 1675 began to change the boundaries of their possessions, which led to lengthy disputes. As a result, in 1700, most of the disputed land was taken over by the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. A village was created on them, which was called Sergievsky. The name was given to him by the church erected by the peasants, dedicated to Sergei Radonezh. The Lavra, who owns these lands, gave shelter to the peasants, as a result of which the village was sometimes referred to as Monastic. There were other names, mainly along the river on which it was located (Kameshkir, Kameshkir or Kameshkir).
Basically, its inhabitants consisted of monastery peasants and the Mordovians, who underwent a baptismal ceremony. The main occupation of the population was agriculture, cattle breeding, production of limestone, pottery, etc.
In the Penza region, there are currently two villages that have almost the same name, namely Mordovian Kameshkir and Russian Kameshkir.
origin of name
There is no understanding of where the word "Kameshkir" came from. There are suggestions that it has its roots in the Chuvash language (can be translated as “reed steppe”). Some local historians suggest that stones (pebbles) gave the name to the village. In these places, they designate flagstone, which has been mined along the banks of the river since very ancient times. From it, in Russian Kameshkir, foundations are erected, utility structures are used as stone for paving roads.
Development
As the Russian Kameshkir developed, the village gradually developed into a decent regional center. So, in 1859 it had about 770 yards, a rural school, a church, three mills, five industrial establishments. Two large fairs were held in the village, in spring and autumn. There was also a significant postal station. Twenty years later, three tanneries, three brick factories, another mill, and a vodka factory were added to these structures.
Until the end of the twenties of the last century, the village of Russian Kameshkir was an important settlement of the Kuznetsk district of the Saratov province. According to historical tradition, fairs continued to be held there twice a year (in spring and autumn). At the end of the thirties, a power station was built in the village, a telephone line was opened, and a new leather factory was opened.
At the same time, the neighboring villages of Iskra Ilyich, Krasny Molot, October 11, were added to the village.
In 1975, the village of Lutovka, which was located on the opposite bank of the Kameshkir River, was annexed to Russian Kameshkir.
Hard times, rebirth
After the Soviet Union embarked on the path of collapse in 1991, Kameshkir experienced severe unemployment. Most of the district enterprises closed, including profitable ones. The population began to leave the village, leaving to work in the regional center and in Moscow.
Now the Russian Kameshkir of the Penza region is gradually gaining stability. New enterprises appear, mainly agricultural. The population begins to grow slowly. According to recent estimates, about 5500 people live in Russian Kameshkir.
Currently, the village has a fairly modern mechanized leshoz. In the village there is a department of Kameshkiro-Lopatinsky forestry. Feed mills, dairy plants were built. Rassvet agricultural enterprise was revived at a new modern level on the basis of the collective farm of the same name destroyed in the 90s. Its main direction is dairy production, pig breeding. In the village of Russian Kameshkir there is a brick and smoke factory. There are one secondary and two primary schools, a regional hospital equipped with modern technology, and other institutions of social, cultural and domestic use.
Russian Kameshkir is considered a major transportation hub in the Penza region. The main highway Nizhnyaya Yeluzan - the border of the region - passes through the village. Drivers of heavy vehicles mainly use the road in order to reduce the route to Saratov, Kuznetsk, Ulyanovsk, Samara.
The village has its own bus station. Buses are sent from it along the route Russian Kameshkir - Penza and to other settlements of the region. There is intercity communication with Kuznetsk, Saratov, Moscow and other cities.
There is no railway passing by Russian Kameshkir. The nearest station is 35 kilometers from the village - the railway station of the village of Chaadaevka. Passenger trains run through it to Moscow and other regional centers. Buses run daily from the Russian Kameshkir to the station.
There was also a private airfield in the village, which was built in 1969. He worked until 1992. Received and sent flights from regional and regional centers, as well as other cities of the USSR. It was closed due to lack of funds for its operation. In the village there is only a helipad. It belongs to Gazprom. The preserved sections of the runway are used to train drivers of the local driving school.
In the village there is a famous church of the Russian Orthodox Church (Trinity-Sergius Church). Built in 1709. In the days after the revolutionary upheaval, in 1930, the church became a power station. From 1970 to 1989, the Selenergo division was located in it, as well as a building materials store was opened. After the church returned to the Penza and Saratov diocese, Archbishop Seraphim took measures to revive the church and organize a parish council under it.
Wood carving
The bulk of the houses in Russian Kameshkir are made of wood, logs. It is difficult to find among them the facades that are not decorated with wooden carvings. Carved lace patterns are placed on roof gables, well constructions, arbors. An abundance of carved shutters, window frames.
Despite the fact that wood carving is not the main occupation and craft of the population of Russian Kameshkir, wood carving in this village has long been part of the life of its inhabitants.
The inscription "Lenin"
One of the attractions of the Russian Kameshkir is the mechanized leshoz created in its vicinity. He carries out logging, and also actively participates in the conservation of forest land. He became famous for the fact that in 1970, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the leader of the October Revolution, a huge inscription "Lenin" was made from a living tree (by selective cutting). It can be seen even now, having ascended into the sky, and it is also observed in their cosmos.