These springs are located near Said Valley Reservoir, which is located at the northern end of Grasshopper Valley and west of Highway 139.  They were so named for Gabriel McLean Stratton. In 1871, he moved his family from Butte County to Grasshopper Valley, Lassen County.  On August 16, 1872, his nineteen year old son, Henry Stratton died there and was buried nearby at Slate Creek, where the family ranch was located, which was located much further south from the springs.  Unfortunately, I have never been able to find any documentation what caused the young man’s demise. According to Pete Gerig there were two Stratton graves, but only one is marked.  Gerig  mentioned coming across “ancient graves” scattered throughout the region, which would be expected.  On October 23, 1884, Stratton sold his ranch and stage stop to his son-in-law, Charles Franklin Loveland, for $2,500. Stratton moved to Adin., where he is buried.

Tim