With Burning Man taking place soon on the Black Rock Desert, the town of Gerlach receives a lot of attention due its close proximity. Some may wonder who was Gerlach.
Gerlach was named for German immigrant Louis Gerlach (1835-1921). He came to the United States in 1853, and in 1855, located at Stockton, California working as a butcher. He would later operate his own butcher shop. Gerlach then became affiliated with the Wagner Meat Company, that raised their own cattle, along with operating a slaughterhouse. This inspired Gerlach to branch out on his own in the cattle business. In 1884, he purchased Granite Creek Ranch, near the present town of Gerlach. As his operations grew, in 1892, he incorporated as the Gerlach Land & Cattle Company. His main focus was northern Washoe County, Nevada. In 1906, Gerlach acquired the Ward Land & Stock Company for $100,000. This included over 5,000 acres, and with it such places as Bare Ranch in Surprise Valley. Thus, a nucleus of an outpost was created at what is present day Gerlach. In 1909, the Western Pacific Railroad built its railroad through the area and established a station at Gerlach, and thus the formation of the community. After Gerlach’s death in 1921, his ranching empire was slowly dissolved.
American Legion Parade, Susanville 1926—Margaret Purdy
During August 16-21, 1926, Susanville was a festive place. It was the host of the statewide American Legion Convention. That was a tremendous feat by the local American Legion Post named after Thomas Tucker, a Maidu, and Susanville’s first casualty in World War I.
The community gave the some 3,000 attendees the proverbial red carpet treatment. Buildings were decorated with patriotic bunting or adorned with the American Flag, and some times both. Two parades were held that week. The first one was mid-week in the convention, which featured numerous floats, decorated cars and an assorted lot. There were the Santa Barbara Legionnaires, dubbed the “bathing beauties” with the men wearing gunny sacks, displaying their knobby knees. The second parade was a bit more dignified with the veterans marching down Main Street from the Elks Lodge to the newly constructed Veteran’s Memorial Building.
The designation of “Pioneer” to log cabins is such a misnomer. In many instances they get that designation from the recreational arm of a government agency, to lend some rustic aura to inspire visitors awe. The so-called Pioneer Cabin at Antelope Lake falls into that category. There are still a handful of similar cabins in the eastern segment of the Plumas National Forest. These cabins were used during the summer months, primarily by Honey Lake ranchers who brought their livestock into the mountains for summer range.
The cabin at Antelope Lake origins are with Adelbert Torrey, who in the 1880s was residing at Buntingville. He would bring his dairy cows for the summer, for the abundant feed and water. Adjacent to the cabin Torrey built a water wheel used to process butter. In 1888, Torrey sold the property to his Buntingville neighbor, Leonard Hicks. It remained in the Hicks family until 1941 when it was sold Frank and Alma Flux. Flux had paid $3,000 for the 400-acre property. He stated the previous owner had sold the timber to Clover Valley Lumber Company for $20,000. It appears from records of Susanville attorney, Harden “Finn” Barry that Flux sold the property in 1956, as a future reservoir site.
The third version appears in Asa Fairfield’s Pioneer History of Lassen County published in 1916. Unlike Version Two they share few similarities. One important fact, Dodge in Version Two has the main instigator as Joseph Hall, when Fairfield duly notes its Joe Hale. This is important, when Hale returned to Susanville concerning the Indian encampment he encountered, he had the forum to relay the news—he was half-owner of the Pioneer Saloon. It should be noted that Fairfield relied entirely that of William Dow, one of the participants.
In June 1866, when Joe Hale went in search of stray horses some ten miles west of Susanville he spotted a number of Indians who did not appear to be local. It had been well known, especially with the Indian Valley Maidu had been providing ammunition to the renegade band of Paiutes of Northern Washoe County. It was Hale’s opinion this ammunition would be used on a attack at Camp McGarry and relayed the same to the residents of Susanville when he returned.
The next day a posse of five men—William Dow, E.V. Spencer, Joe Hale, Byron Gray, Charles Drum—organized to break of up this ammunition exchange with the Indians.They followed the Indians tracks and spent their first night at Martin Springs, near present day McCoy Flat Reservoir. The next day they went up north to Champs Flat and spent the night there. The next day they went south along the west side of Eagle Lake. By the time they reached the south shore Dow and Gray stopped to let the horses rest. The others carried on the pursuit and came across an Indian encampment at what would be known as Papoose Meadows. According to Dow, the posse found the camp consisted of women from Indian Valley, and that the men had left camp to hunt. That night when the posse re-grouped it would attack either at night or towards dawn.
The next morning they did. Dow stated four Indian men were killed, one injured and escaped [Joaquin] and another fled with horses. This differs dramatically from Version Two. There is no reference to what happened to the Indian women, or whether ammunition was found or seized.
On Tuesday morning, September 9, 1919, the first airplane flew over Susanville. Who the unknown aviator was has never been determined. It was believed by some to have been a Forest Service plane used to spot fires.
By the 1920s, pilots were regularly visiting Susanville. An impromptu airstrip was developed in the Milwood section, at the north end of Spring Street. By the late 1920s it had become apparent that an airport was needed. E.G. Scammon, Robert M. Cook and Charlie Bridges were appointed to a special aviation committee to locate suitable site for an airport. They selected the Hanford Tract near Johnstonville. It met several criteria, as the property was inexpensive and required a small expenditure to construct an airport. In addition, there was plenty of open space for expansion and equally important few homes in the area. Aviators, on the other hand, complained that it was too far from Susanville. Yet, it met the approval of federal aviation officials.
On July 17, 1928, the Lassen County Board of Supervisors met in special session to discuss the airport. At the conclusion of the meeting it was agreed to purchase the property. On August 22, the County bought the 60-acre Hanford Tract from W.V. Warren for $1,700. In 1929, the City of Susanville bout 40 adjoining acres from May Hemler for $400 to extend the runway. On April 8, 1932 the County assigned all of its interest in the airport to the City.
The years 1931-32 witnessed significant changes at the airport. First was the oiling of the runways. That was followed by a fuel station and beacon light. In 1932, the City moved a two-room cottage on the premises. This was occupied a by a caretaker, whose main responsibilities were maintenance, i.e. no stray cattle on the runway and tending to the needs of the pilots who arrived at the airport.
In 1939, the Susanville Flying Club was organized, and it had a major impact on the airport. It employed the services of licensed flying instructor, Al Reese and flying lessons were now available. In 1940, additional improvements were made at the airport. That year Lassen Junior College offered civilian pilot training, with initial enrollment of twenty-two students. In September, the Civil Aeronautics Board rated Susanville seventh out of 183 California airports. The airport was earmarked with $371,000 for immediate improvements as part of the national defense program. In 1942, the U.S. Navy Department took control of the airport for flight training of cadets. The Navy retained control of the airport until the conclusion of World War II.
Roop Siding on the Fernely & Lassen Railroad just north of Pyramid Lake, April 1966. Courtesy of Gil Morrill
While yesterday we explored the early day fur trappers of the Hudson Bay Company and others of the 1820s and 1830s in the region there is a geographical feature named for John Jacob Astor. Astor Pass is more like a narrow canyon/valley that separates Honey Lake and Pyramid Lake. By the 1880s, it is well documented as Astor Pass, many attribute it to John Jacob Astor (1763-1848), who was a major American competitor in the fur trade with Hudson Bay.
Astor Pass came into prominence in 1912, providing an easy route for the Fernley &Lassen Railroad into the Honey Lake Valley via Pyramid Lake. In the pass, the railroad established Roop Siding.
While the rails have been removed interest in this locale has not gone by the wayside. In the 1970s, there was considerable interest in diatomaceous earth deposits—remnants of decomposed fish and organic matter of Lake Lahontan. This particular matter, if developed, was to be utilized as fertilizer. Since the early 2000s the area has been studied for potential geothermal resources.
While Peter Lassen gets credits for the first Anglo person to visit Honey Lake Valley, that is not the case. Hudson Bay fur trappers, by the 1820s, had made their presence in Northern California. By the early 1830s they were exploring Northeastern California—more specifically Lassen and Modoc Counties. In the fall of 1832, Chief Trader John Work led a large party where in they encountered Goose Lake. For the most part they would follow the Pit River. However, one group made an expedition over the Warner Mountains and made a reference of three lakes—Surprise Valley. Later expeditions came through and by 1840 the fur trappers had designated the Honey Lake Valley as Hot Springs Basin. On a related note, it was relayed to me that at one archeological site in Lassen County contained Hudson Bay implements of the1830s.
In July 1844, William Thomas Hamilton (1822-1908), member of a fur-trapping group, was one such early day visitor to Honey Lake. Hamilton wrote in his memoirs: “We reached a beautiful valley called to-day Honey Lake Valley, but at that time without a name. We remained here three months, enjoying ourselves as only men can who love the grandeur of nature. Our time was spent in exploring, hunting, fishing, reading and practicing with all arms.”
Dobyns Saloon—L-R Seated, Leslie Cottingham, Garfield Vogt, Roy Hopkins—Standing L-R Unknown, Unknown, Shorty Roe, 1907–Betty Barry Deal
During the planning stages of the Standish Colony in 1897, numerous issues were addressed. One, it would be a “dry” town and deeds would include a covenant restricting the use, sale or manufacture of intoxicating liquor. However, things changed quickly, after the initial construction of the town of Standish. The organizers of the Standish Colony were beset with numerous problems, and financially struggled. In 1901, the Standish Colony went bankrupt, a major milestone for the fledging town. No longer under tight control from the town’s founders, Standish went into a boomtown stage.
There were other changes on the horizon. A part of the old Wild West era was coming to end, in which one could randomly open a saloon. Lassen County adopted an ordinance, that to operate a saloon one had to apply for a county liquor license.
In December 1906, Susanville resident, Henry C. Dobyns submitted the necessary paper work to Lassen County for a liquor permit to operate a saloon in Standish. Among the documents included was. petition signed by 15 registered voters of Standish. At the January 2, 1907 Lassen County Board of Supervisors meeting they approved Dobyns license. By the end of the month Dobyn’s “Tipton Saloon” was opened for business in Standish.
There was a lot of resentment in the Standish community having a saloon. It was just a matter of time before things got ugly. On September 5, 1907 James Wood and N.B. Elledge filed a complaint with the county board of supervisors that Dobyns was not in compliance. They cited that not only underaged children of 18 had been served alcohol, but also allowed to loiter there. Then there was the issue of selling alcohol to Indians, who then became inebriated and causing havoc in the community. On September 21, 1907 a hearing was held with testimony from ten Standish residents about how the business was conducted in a disorderly and indecent manner. After all was said and done, the board revoke Dobyn’s license and gave him to the end of the month to close the saloon.
Stock corrals at Leavitt, circa 1922. Boggs put a lot of pressure on the railroad to keep the right of way clear between Leavitt and Susanville.
The Russian Thistle, (Salsola tragus), is best known too many as the iconic “tumbling tumbleweed.” Ironically, it became a symbol of the American West, yet it is a non-native plant. Its origins are from eastern Russia. Some sources indicate it was accidentally introduced in 1873 by Russian emigrates to South Dakota. The seeds from the plant are initially disbursed by wind. It is believed that many a railroad stockcar were imbedded with seeds, that allowed for them to be scattered throughout the west.
By 1914, a major infestation plagued the Honey Lake and Long Valleys. Some blamed it on the newly constructed Fernley & Lassen Railroad for the outbreak. L.W. Boggs, the Lassen County Horticultural Commissioner started an all out “war” to eradicate it. Boggs September 1914 report to the Lassen County Board of Supervisors provided this insight:
“In continuing of my August report on the work of destroying the Russian Thistle, a public nuisance. I have to inform you that I have been clearing the county road from about two miles north of Milford to the Constantia Ranch at the southern end of Long Valley, a distance of about 32 miles. Along which road, the farmers have willingly complied with the law requiring them to destroy the same pest, where found growing on their lands. One or two absent owners have been communicated with and plans are underway for favorable work the coming season or as soon as possible. ..From correspondence with County Commissioners of other counties in California, I have been informed that it is very practicable to rid the land of this pest and feel very much gratified that I have been working along the lines they have been doing and in which manner they claim that in three years time the Russian Thistle can be destroyed. This, which by keeping the highways and railroad tracks cleaned up annually and adjacent farming lands cleaned by cultivating.”
In July 1916, Boggs reported the Russian Thistle have been eliminated by two-thirds. Just when it seemed victory was near, on the horizon something unanticipated derailed the fight. With World War I on the horizon in 1917, such work had to be put on hold, and after the War, the Russian Thistle was firmly established.
This was a small brochure of the Lassen County Chamber of Commerce published circa 1956. What caught my attention was the cover photograph. It was a view of Eagle Lake during its low water level that I had not come across before. There are a lot of Eagle Lake aficionados that subscribe, so I am sure they will enjoy it as well. Among the positive aspects of Lassen the brochure proclaimed No Fog, No Smog. One interesting aspect was that it noted that Doyle was the main railroad shipping point for uranium mining that was being done in Long Valley.
