It was not until the 1920s that the Red River Lumber Company experienced problems with forest fires. Some time back I wrote about that company’s fire train. On July 27, 1926, a fire started at Butt Valley where Red River was logging. This was one instant that while the fire train was dispatched it was no match for the inferno.
The fire started from sparks of a steam donkey engine which spread rapidly over the recently logged over lands toward the west shore of Lake Almanor. For a time the fire threatened the Lake Almanor Inn at Prattville and the various cottages adjacent to it, requiring the evacuation of seventy-five campers. The fire burned over 16,000 acres, and destroyed three abandoned logging camps and several miles of railroad ties. Red River estimated its loss at $23,000.
A 1923 view of Papoose Meadows. Courtesy of Lola Murrer Tanner
This is the first of three versions of the Papoose Meadows Massacre that occurred at Eagle Lake in 1866. During the late 1940s and 1950s Francis Riddell spent considerable time compiling the Ethnohistory of the Honey Lake Paiute. There were still older living Paiutes then, whose parents lived in the area prior to Anglo settlement. Francis spent a lot time with Kitty Joaquin Williams (1864-1954), who provided him with a wealth information, that he was able to preserve. The following is what she relayed to Francis concerning the Papoose Meadows Massacre.
According to Kittie, a band of Paiute, including her father Joaquin, went on a hunting trip to Eagle Lake. Though there is some confusion she also stated they went there to escape the soldiers, who were accompanied by members of the Maidu. Hog-die Jim, Joaquin’s uncle was afraid the soldiers and Maidu would attack them. He advised Joaquin and others to move their camp, but Joaquin felt there was no real danger. Hog-die Jim then took some provisions, and all the horses and left.
The soldiers and Maidu attacked Joaquin’s camp and killed everyone one except a baby in a cradle board, two women who jumped into the lake and swam to safety and Joaquin, too, did the same. However, when Joaquin was in the water he was shot by. soldier, John Mulroney. Joaquin was cared by the others and recovered. He was later known as Old Man Joaquin and spent the rest of this life in the Susanville area and died in 1935 at the age of 99.
Note: It is well documented that there was no military involvement. The soldiers at Camp Smoke Creek, the nearest military outpost were kept very busy with conflicts in Northern Washoe County. I also examined their daily reports, the military kept great records. Also puzzling, is the naming of Mulroney (1856-1930). Mulroney would not have been old enough to participate. He lived most his entire life in the Honey Lake Valley working on various ranches.
John Tanner and Bud Driver with their Lake Almanor Carp catch of May 8, 1940.
Sometime in the late 1920s or early 1930s an unknown individual(s) planted a non-native species of fish in Lake Almanor—carp. In the 1930s and 1940s efforts were underway to eradicate the fish. During the mid-1930s and early 1940s spearing carp became a popular pastime. In 1935 Vern Hart owner of the Lake Almanor Inn, said it was pretty simple when it came to spearing carp. He said the only thing necessary was a three-pronged spear or a pitchfork.
In 1939, the California Department of Fish & Game came up with a new plan to remove the carp—commercial operators. Carp did have one beneficial use, they could be converted into fish meal and. a ready market for poultry feed. In July 1940 alone over 30,000 carp were harvested weighing in at over 35,000 pounds. The carp were shipped to Los Angeles for processing. In 1943 it was even proposed to build a carp processing plant at Lake Almanor, but it failed to receive approval from the federal War Priorities Board. After that efforts were suspended on the eradication of the carp.
Last week we made an expedition to the Echo Lake region in northern Plumas and western Lassen Counties. We did the same a year prior on July 15, two days after the Dixie Fire started. Who knew that fire would devastate so much territory. I had heard reports that the area surrounding Echo Lake had burnt. Thus, we wanted to see first hand. I know some folks will be interested to see what a difference a year makes.
This is not only Lassen County Fair Week, but it is the fair’s centennial. In the summer of 1922, Bert Jensen, Russell Brownell, C.E. Lawson, L.E. DeForest and H.H. Riddels formed the Lassen County Fair Association. It had been sixteen years since the last fair, and these ambitious men were not only going to correct that, but make the county fair an annual event.
They wasted no time to put together a fair, but a permanent fairgrounds as well.. Twenty acres of land were acquired which is still the present Lassen County Fairgrounds. In July the Association announced its plans to construct a substantial grandstand, along with a race track. There was plenty community support for a fair as merchants and the agricultural community raised $4,000. In early August Susanville contractor, J.J. Woodward was hired to build the grandstand for $3,256.44.
Lassen County Fair, 1922. Courtesy of Lola L. Tanner
On Friday, September 29, 1922, large crowd assembled for the opening day of the fair. A lively time was had by all. However, it was not a financial success. The entire cost was $12,500. Receipts from all sources was $8,700. While there was a $4,000 deficit, it was duly noted that the Association made substantial permanent improvements that would not be incurred in the future.
Doyle & Hunsinger and Lassen Auto Building, Susanville, circa 1927
On January 23, 1926, Doyle & Hunsinger Motor Company held a grand opening celebration in their new building on the 600 block of Main Street. Their Ford dealership occupied the west side of the building. The eastern side of the building was the home of B.R. Holmes Lassen Auto Company. Holmes had acquired the property that for many years was the location of Hi Skadan’s Livery Stable. Over the course of several years, Doyle would acquire Hunsinger’s interest and then eventually buying out Holmes to own the entire building.
In 1914-15, B.F. Loomis became a widely known photographer for his stunning photographs of the Lassen Peak volcanic eruptions. Loomis was fortunate since he operated a hotel at nearby Viola, a short distance from the peak. Loomis would become an ardent supporter of Lassen Volcanic National Park. In 1926, Loomis purchased 40-acres near Reflection Lake, which at that time was not inside the park. In 1927, he built a museum of native stone and reinforced concrete. The museum served two purposes. One, it allowed him to showcase his famed photographic collection of the Lassen Peak eruptions, previously on display at his hotel at Viola. The second it served as a memorial to his only child Louise Mae, who died in 1920. In 1929, he donated the property to the park, which in turn the park gave him a life estate to the museum property. Loomis, by the way, passed away in 1935.
Fast forward to the 1970s and the Manzanita Lake Controversy. On April 26, 1974, park officials announced the abrupt closure of the Manzanita Lake facilities due to geological hazards. This did not go over well—and is a story in itself. The park had to decide what to do with the various buildings such as Manzanita Lake Lodge. After numerous debates spanning a decade it was decided to demolish all the buildings., including the Loomis Museum, which received a last minute reprieve. Day use slowly resumed, and in time a portion of the Manzanita Lake campground reopened.
In August 1991, the park celebrated its 75th anniversary with a special reopening of the Loomis Museum. The park had been slowly renovating the historic structure, which in 1975 was placed on National Register of Historic Places. In 1993, the museum was fully rehabilitated, and once again opened on a permanent seasonal basis, as it had done since 1927.
At the October 2015 meeting of the Eagle Lake Interagency Board, the Bureau of Land Management reported that Chico State University was exploring avenues to close down the facility. At that time, the Bureau of Land Management reported that they would be willing to take back the property they donated to the University back in 1964. However, they stated in order to do so, the University would have to remove all improvements, i.e, buildings etc. At the moment, from my limited knowledge on the topic, it appears everything is at a standstill, as the University does not want to be burden with the costs of removal. However, another educational institution could take it over. When I was still on the Lassen College Board, I brought up this topic, but it has not gained traction.
The field station was the creation of biology instructor Doctor Vesta Holt. The first classes were taught at Spaulding Tract in 1945. In the early 1950s, with increased enrollment studies were moved to the south shore at the Eagle Lake Resort. After the Merrill Flat Fire of 1955, operations were moved to Susanville and Westwood and until a new home could be located. It was not until 1964, when a new home was located just north of the abandoned Bly Tunnel and in 1968 dedication ceremonies were held at the new facility.
The idyllic community of Clear Creek has a long history before it took on a new life in the 1920s by the Red River Lumber Company. It was first settled in 1872 by Henry “Hank” Landt who migrated back and forth between Big Meadows (Lake Almanor). Landt wore many “hats” from being a resort operator, fisherman, fur trader and sawmill operator. On August 5, 1875 he filed for the water rights to Clear Creek to protect the development of the trout fishing ponds that he had established. In 1890, Landt sold the property to Orman Folsom and moved to Susanville. Folsom never did anything with the property, it was an investment, like so many others he had. In 1909, Folsom sold to for Thomas B. Walker, of the Red River Lumber Company for $6,500
Standish Livery Stable and Meat Market, 1909. Left to Right: Todd Hemler, Bill Kennedy and Fred Hansen. Courtesy of Vivian Hansen.
In 1904, George Short (brother-in-law to James Mapes) established the Standish Livery Stable on Milford Street (A-3). In 1906, he built an addition which became the home of the Standish Meat Market. Both the livery stable and meat market were leased to various individuals such as Fred Hansen, Todd Hemler and Floyd Bass. In 1912, Fred Hansen moved the meat market to a new location. In 1913, Louis A. Kline purchased the livery stable. Kline at the same time leased the Wrede Hotel located to the north of the stable.
On November 18, 1913 the Standish Livery Stable was destroyed by fire, and for a time threatened the entire town. The fire started in the harness shop, the former site of the meat market. It was later learned the harness maker, went on a drunken spree, returned to the shop knocked over an oil stove, and passed out. When the building was engulfed in flames, it was discovered the nameless harness maker was inside and volunteers dragged him out.
Most of the contents of the livery stable was saved except for forty tons to hay. The harness shop and its contents was a total loss. Kline only had partial insurance on the building in the amount of $400 and did not rebuild.
