A Final Attempt to Salvage Bly Tunnel, 1935

The outlet construction camp of the Bly Tunnel, 1922. Courtesy of Lola L. Tanner

Desperate actions, some times involves desperate measures. The Baxter Creek and Tule Irrigation Districts final plea to salvage the fundamental problems that plagued it from the onset of their Bly
tunnel at Eagle Lake. They were at a such low point, nothing ventured, nothing gained looked promising.

The district’s failed with their applications under President Roosevelt’s  New Deal Programs. Exhausted of all avenues. their last plea was for a Civilian Conservation Corp Camp (CCC). In their petition, it was their belief, that such a camp would prove very beneficial, not just the salvation of the endangered farmers on the verge of bankruptcy, but the county at large. Such a camp, they proposed, would employ some 700 men, not including administrative staff, etc.

The outlet in 1924. Courtesy of Lola L. Tanner

In a special meeting held on November 1935, the Susanville Chamber of Commerce, endorsed the district’s application. It was not enough, and the application for a CCC speciality camp was denied.

It should be noted, that in the late 1940s and into the 1950s attempts were made to revive the Bly Tunnel project. However, that is another story, for another time.

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