In the fall of 1856, Levi Breed set up a trading post on the Nobles Emigrant Trail where it crosses Willow Creek, just north where the current Lassen County road A-27 crosses Willow Creek. It was second one for the Honey Lake Valley. The following year he located to Janesville and became that community’s largest merchant for a number of years.
It was the military that came along next to locate on Breed’s abandoned post. In 1859, a military station, under the leadership of First Lt Milton T. Carr, A 1 Dragoons, was established at the Willow Creek crossing. Its main purpose was to protect the travelers on the Nobles Emigrant Road. “Dragoon” is the name for a mounted soldier or cavalryman.The following year, it was replaced by Soldier’s Bridge which was located further to the east and along the Susan River.
Tim,
Great article. My daughter’s house is just a stone’s throw away from there. I am sharing this with my daughter and granddaughters. They will love to know this. I also enjoyed the information about the Soldier Bridge. That is very close as well