In 2010, an ardent fan of jazz great, Dave Brubeck, wanted to do something special and unique for Dave’s 90th birthday. Many people may not be aware, but Dave had deep roots in the Honey Lake Valley, and yours truly is a distant relation.  In 1881, Dave’s grandfather, Lewis W. Brubeck took up a homestead  on the east side of Honey Lake, which included a group of hot springs, that when the railroad arrived there in 1890 became the town of Amedee. Dave’s father, along with his aunts and uncles were born at that location.

One member of the family, would become the only permanent resident–Mabel Brubeck, Dave’s Aunt. At the age of 12, she died of pneumonia. Even though the town of Amedee, which at one time was one of Lassen County’s largest communities, had no cemetery. Those that died there, were transported to distant locations for internment.  What prompted Mabel’s parents to bury their daughter on the hillside overlooking Amedee is not known.  For a number of years, I corresponded with Mabel’s brother, Raymond Brubeck, who resided for many years in Sacramento.  When I asked Ray, about Mabel, he did not know. It should be noted, Ray was born two years after his sister had passed away, and the family for their own reasons never talked about Mabel.

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