In the spring of 1914, Lassen County Deputy Horticural Commissioner, L.W. Boggs, paid the community of Doyle a visit. George Thompson had planted 1,000 grape vines the previous year. Thompson informed Boggs that he intended to plant 4,000 grape vines for 1914. His neighbors were interested in doing the same. In addition to Thompson’s visit Boggs complimented the citizens of Doyle for grading the town’s streets and planting shade trees along them.

The following year the Sunnyside District near Janesville  was promoted as an excellent wine producing region. There were no takers. In the meantime, Thompson’s grape vines did not work out. However, Ben Gibson of Litchfield was successful in growing commercial Concord grapes and more notably watermelons.

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