This was a quite surprise, the feature of Indian Valley Hot Springs that was published in 2022 was the most searched of all articles for 2025.

Operating a bath house to a full scale resort utilizing hot springs has in my perspective is a risky endeavor. When times are good, they are real good, but same applies to bad times, and in many instances its the low points where the operation shuts down. Some times revived and some times not.

Indian Valley Hot Springs at Greenville is a perfect example. Greenville was a thriving mining community during the late 1800s.  The hot springs became a popular attraction and bathing place. As the mining activity dwindled by 1900, the bath house fell into disrepair and closed.

In the spring of 1926, B.C. Johnson decided to see if he could make a go of it. He spent six weeks in getting the property in shape. Johnson highlighted the fact, that not only could a person have an enjoyable soak, but one could also “soak” in the natural beauty of Indian Valley. How long Johnson operated it I do not know.

For those interested, awhile back it was on the market with an asking price of $4.95 million. With last year’s devastating Dixie Fire that destroyed a large segment of Greenville, the value might have dropped.

Tim

July – Lassen County Fish & Game Warden C.O. Fisher had some terse words to the farmers along the Susan River watershed. Fish & Game wanted plant some 300,000 trout into the river. Before the planting could be done the farmers needed that there diversion dams and ditches to become into compliance since many were in violation of California Penal Code Sections 629, 636 and 637.

August – On August 26, California Governor William Richardson paid Susanville a visit. It was his twenty county tour to inspect the state highway construction projects.

September – Susanville was chosen to host of the State American Legion Convention in 1926. It was estimated that it would bring 2,500 people for the week long event.

October -One consistent theme throughout the year was the prevalence of bootleggers. In October. Lassen County Sheriff Carter  paid a visit to Ravendale resident Jim Ingram. The sheriff and his deputies confiscated a still and 80 gallons of whiskey. Ingram pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to pay a fine of $500 or spend 500 days in the county jail. Ingram choose  jail time.

November – The Lassen County Board of Supervisors approved the construction of a Veterans Memorial building. It would be a multi-purpose facility, not only provided a much needed auditorium, but it would house  the offices of the chamber of commerce, farm bureau and horticultural agent.

December – On December 4  the organization meeting of the Susanville Rotary Club was held. The initial officers were: John B. Spalding, President; J.A. Pardee, Vice President; C.H. Bridges, Treasurer; E.L. Shirley, Secretary and Harry Coleman Sergeant at Arms. It was decided upon weekly luncheon meetings to be held on Wednesday. They selected the Hotel Mt. Lassen as the meeting location, yet it still was under construction. It should noted that the local Rotary Club did not receive its charter until the spring of 1926.

Tim

January – Changes in car dealerships. E.W. Smith announced he would relinquish the Ford dealership in favor of Chevrolet. Howard Doyle of Reno, secured the Ford dealership in Susanville that would be operated by his so n Clem and Leland Hunsinger. Later in the year, both would construct combination showrooms/garages and while those car dealerships no longer exist, the buildings still do.

February – A group of Susanville businessmen formed the Susanville Hotel Company. It was their intention to raise $300,000. The purpose to construct a three-story hotel with 64 rooms. it was the beginning of the Hotel Mt. Lassen.

March – The golfing craze continues. As the Susanville Country Club membership was full, the Gold Run Golf Club was organized. They leased the old Ridenour Ranch at the lower end of Gold Run and built a golf course. Stienbrook and Moore owners of Janesville’s Diamond Mountain Inn had plans to construct a golf course there.

April – Established in 1871 the Susanville Government Land Office played a pivotal role processing homesteads, i.e. federal land patents for Lassen, Modoc, Plumas and eastern Sierra Counties. The Department of Interior used an archaic law to close land offices. Locals fought back. They cited the Susanville office generated $9,000 in revenue and $5,800 in expenses. In addition, there were still 1,280,000 acres of eligible land to be filed on. The office closed on April 30.

May – In May the Susanville School District voters approved a $65,000 bond measure to construct an elementary school on Richmond Road. Once completed in 1926, the school district had four schools. School trustees had found it necessary to name them. It was decided name the schools after U.S. Presidents. The original brick school was named Washington. The school adjacent to it became McKinley. The school, in the Milwood District, was named Lincoln. And finally, the fourth school on Richmond Road was named Roosevelt.

June – On June 12, Dedication ceremonies were for new Masonic Lodge located at Lassen & Nevada Streets. The $35,000 native-stone structure replaced the wooden hall destroyed by fire in 1921. This would be last major native-stone  building constructed in Susanville.

Tomorrow July-December 1925

July – Lassen County Fish & Game Warden C.O. Fisher had some terse words to the farmers along the Susan River watershed. Fish & Game wanted plant some 300,000 trout into the river. Before the planting could be done the farmers needed that there diversion dams and ditches to become into compliance since many were in violation of California Penal Code Sections 629, 636 and 637.

August – On August 26, California Governor William Richardson paid Susanville a visit. It was his twenty county tour to inspect the state highway construction projects.

September – Susanville was chosen to host of the State American Legion Convention in 1926. It was estimated that it would bring 2,500 people for the week long event.

October -One consistent theme throughout the year was the prevalence of bootleggers. In October. Lassen County Sheriff Carter  paid a visit to Ravendale resident Jim Ingram. The sheriff and his deputies confiscated a still and 80 gallons of whiskey. Ingram pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to pay a fine of $500 or spend 500 days in the county jail. Ingram choose  jail time.

November – The Lassen County Board of Supervisors approved the construction of a Veterans Memorial building. It would be a multi-purpose facility, not only provided a much needed auditorium, but it would house  the offices of the chamber of commerce, farm bureau and horticultural agent.

December – On December 4  the organization meeting of the Susanville Rotary Club was held. The initial officers were: John B. Spalding, President; J.A. Pardee, Vice zPresident; C.H. Bridges, Treasurer; E.L. Shirley, Secretary and Harry Coleman Sergeant at Arms. It was decided upon weekly luncheon meetings to be held on Wednesday. They selected the Hotel Mt. Lassen as the meeting location, yet it still was under construction. It should noted that the local Rotary Club did not receive its charter until the spring of 1926.

Tim

When I scanned this image back in September, in my mind I had drafted out the article. Disruptions occurred and I lost that train of thought.

For small towns, the general store was the lifeblood of the community. Many doubled as a post office, so it was one more factor that the store was the social hub. Amedee owed its existence to the NCO Railroad. In 1922, the last train rolled through there. In 1924, J.H. Peffley shuttered the town’s general store, along with the post office. Peffley chose not to remain at Amedee and moved to Fresno where he died in 1931.

Tim

This was the Christmas gathering of the home Charles and Sarah Hartson, South Pine Street, Susanville, 1916. Fortunately, nearly everyone is identified. The identification is from left to right;

Front Row: Ethel Hartson, Vesta Holmes, Kenneth Cain, Dorothy Hartson, Donald Hartson, Lois Hartson, Willa Hartson, Jud Theodore and Kittie Holmes.

Second Row: Bernard Holmes, Elmer Hartson, Roland Holmes, Leota Dakin, Merle Hartson, Mona Hartson, Rhea Hartson, Beryl Holmes, Naomi Hartson, Catherine Hartson, Carrie Hartson, Edith Hartson and George Hartson,

Third Row: Laura Hartson, Frank Hartson, Myra Brownell, Eva Cain, Charles Hartson, Sarah Hartson, Elsie Dakin, Hattie Theodore, Rose Hartson, George Cain and Annie Theodore.

Fred McClellan, Burta McClellan, Mardis Barry, Mabel Brownell Barry, unknown and Walter Dakin.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

Tim

Lassen Advocate – 9 March 1899 – Milford Murmurs. Gus Grunt and Capt. John Hansen are a building a sail boat for hauling wood across the lake to Amedee, and while we appreciate their enterprise, we can predict but failure, since the winds upon the lake are not reliable upon, and we advise that they take a small tug along in case of adverse winds or a calm.

Tim

Lassen Advocate, 31 January 1927 – Jack Rabbit Drives. We had never given the jack rabbit drives that have been held in Lassen County lately much thought until last Sunday, other to realize that killing the number of rabbits that they were of value to the county and the farmer.

“Last Sunday the drive at Milford brought out between 400 to 500 people, men, women and children and each and every one not only helped the agricultural interest of the county by their presence and assistance, but had a good day’s sport to boot. Many of those at the Milford drive Sunday stated then and their intention of taking in the drive at Wendel the coming Sunday.

“Try and make arrangements to attend the Wendel drive, we our assuring that you will have a good day’s sport, you will be of service to your county and the farmers, and they will be glad to see you. No guns are allowed. All you need to bring is a good stout club, pick handle etc. No need to bring a lunch as “hot dogs” cooked in the hot springs will be served to all.”

Note: The organizers of the Wendel drive were overwhelmed when 1200 people showed up, out numbering the rabbits.

Tim