Amedee Snowstorm Gallery, 1911

Amedee, January1911,–Aldah Riesenman

The east side of Honey Lake Valley is known for its arid condition. Flanagan is the driest, some historical records have noted the annual average precipitation of three inches of rainfall, which is in the range of Death Valley.

Amedee School Children on the first day of the Big Snow, Tuesday, January 11, 1911. Left to Right: Thelma James, Tom Lally, Minnie Meeske, Fred Meeske, Rita Martin, Sadie Meeske, Norma Jeanne James, Frank Martin and Gregory Martin. Courtesy of Marie Herring Gould

It was the January 1911 snowstorm that caught Amedee residents by surprise. After six day storm  Amedee received six feet of snowfall, while Susanville had eight.

Amedee, January, 1911. The “x” indicates the town’s old dance hall. Courtesy of Madelyn Mapes Dahlstrom

Robert Trussell, a Johnstonville resident, who was thirteen years old at the time, stated there was a not fence post in sight in the Honey Lake Valley.

Thelma James, J.H. Pefley, Unknown and William Clayton, Amedee Depot, January 14, 1911

Marie Herring Gould who resided at Amedee during the big snow recalled the NCO Depot looked a like a giant white mound. By the end of the month the snow had melted at Amedee.

Tim

 

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