The dairy industry played an important role in the region’s history. After all, before grocery stores and transportation, one needed to be self sufficient. In the late 1800s, butter was a major product. For example, A.L. Tunison who resided in Willow Creek Valley wrote in his diary: October 21, 1880 – Started for Oroville with 3200# of butter. Virginia City, Nevada during its boom times was another big market. It was not until the late 1890s,, that saw the development of creameries. Then by the early 1920s, with a huge population increase in Lassen County caused the establishment of the large lumber mills, saw the establishment of numerous dairies to produce milk. In future posts I will be exploring the history of those dairies. Of course, if you happen to have knowledge of any of these, I would like to hear from you, as very little has been documented on this topic.
I was raised in Johnstonville, but didn’t know there had ever been a creamery there. Would be interested to know the location. We did take milk to the creamery in Susanville in the 40s and early 50s. As a young boy, I also herded dairy cows for Leroy Cramer on his dairy in Johnstonville. Good memories.
This should be quite interesting. I believe my Grandfather Frank O’kelly moved his family to Susanville in 1922 to start Lassen Dairies which would provide milk and milk products to the families of lumber industries. He had a dairy in Hilt California before moving to Susanville.
My father, Robert, bought the dairy from his father. Unfortunately health problems resulted in the closing of Lassen Dairy. My father became general manager of Morning Glory Dairy somewhere around 1956-57, and moved our family to the Roop Street home.
For more info: http://www.lassencollege.edu/support-lcc/foundation-board/biographies/mike-okelly