By 1900, Standish Colony was not developing the way the founders envisioned.  However, Buntingville merchant, Mike Phillips, from across the valley saw potential at Standish. He closed up shop there and moved to Standish.

Phillips first order of business was to open a store at Standish. Then he became the principal figure to organize the Standish Creamery. That was followed by building the town’s first hotel. When Phillips was at Buntingville he established a newspaper Buntingville Breezes. In 1903, he made an unsuccessful attempt to establish a newspaper at Standish.

In 1904, for reasons unknown, he sold his Standish properties. A.E. & Harriet Torrey bought the hotel. It should be noted that Harriet was Standish first postmaster. The creamery and store was sold to Susanville businessman Charles Emerson. Phillips relocated to Reno Nevada and never heard from again.

Tim