The December 1955 floods caused considerable damage to the railroad line between Susanville and Westwood. With the imminent closure of the lumber mill at Westwood, the Southern Pacific Railroad decided to close that segment, rather than spending significant amount of money to repairs, when freight would decrease. Since Southern Pacific did not abandon the line at that time, if a person wanted to ship something by rail from Susanville to Westwood, or vice versa, Southern Pacific could only charge the freight costs between the two points. It was their problem to figure out how to deliver the freight and bear the additional cost. In 1976, Southern Pacific began the formal process to abandon that segment of the line. It is interesting. to note that at the same time discussions were held as to resurrect that segment to convert it to a tourist line.

Tim

P.S. – Still in search of a  home.

While many travelers along Highway 395 by Honey Lake have seen this landmark, but had no idea it had a name or what they were actually seeing. Located on the lower southwest side of Honey Lake, near Bird Flat is True Island. When the lake is full it is almost actually a “true island” with water nearly encircling it. But that is not why it is called such.

In 1870, Thaxter True (1824-1904) moved to Milford and opened a blacksmith shop. One of True’s blacksmithing techniques was unique. As Claude Wemple recalled “True used charcoal. True would dig a six foot deep pit and fill it with green pine rails. It was then covered with straw. True would then burn it to smolder and cover it with dirt. The charcoals from one pit would last him about a year.” Anyhow, True later took up a 160-acre homestead on what is known as True Island. He sold the property in 1901 to Sumner Tyler for $500.

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In the mid-1950s, the Lassen National Forest Service inconjunction with Lassen County officials began the planning process to make improvements at the south shore of Eagle Lake, since it still remained in its primitive state. One of the top priorities was the development of a marina near Gallatin Beach. The county leased the property from the forest service and in 1961 completed the marina. The following year, the county sub-leased the operation to Richard Gentry. In 1970, due to the rising level of the lake, the boat harbor was revamped. Upon completion it was named the William W. White boat harbor, for former Lassen County Planning Commissioner who was an ardent supporter of the project.

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P.S. – Still in search of a  home.

Note: Still in search of a  home.

On October 30,1919, the Fruit Growers Supply Company purchased it from McKissick Cattle Company, for approximately $29,000. Fruit Growers anticipated using Bagwell Springs for a water supply and they would use the ranch land to provide winter pasture for the horses they used in logging. Fruit Growers constructed a water pipeline from the ranch to the mill, but it was never used due to litigation filed by other water right users. Fruit Growers briefly operated their own dairy there and, in 1923, leased it to the O’Kelly family who operated Lassen Dairy through the 1950s. In 1934, Fruit Growers offered to sell the ranch to the City of Susanville. Fruit Growers cited it would make an ideal golf course, that the money received from the golf course could be used to develop the remainder of the property into a park. The City liked the idea, but said no. In 1935, Fruit Growers sold the ranch to the Republic Electric Power Company who wanted to acquire Bagwell Springs as an additional water supply for Susanville. Over the years, that Company went through numerous reorganizations and became CP National. In 1984, CP National donated the ranch to Lassen County, and it is now a county park.

An interesting footnote to the story is that Lassen Community College examined the property for a future campus back in the 1960s, but the asking price was too expensive.

Tim

P.S. – Still in search of a  home.

News Flash: I am still in search of a home! 

In November 1855, Moses Mason claimed this property and became the second person to file a land claim in the Honey Lake Valley. On September 12, 1856, William Weatherlow located on Mason’s abandoned claim and lived there until his death in 1864. William B. Long purchased the property from Weatherlow’s Estate. In the early 1880s, James Bagwell located at the north end of the Susanville Ranch. In the mid-1870s, Abner and Margaret Van Buren settled on the western end of the property. By 1898, William B. Long’s son, John T., had not only purchased Van Buren’s and Bagwells’ properties, but that of his father. He consolidated these lands into one ranch. On June 2, 1913, Long, heavily in debt with his extensive ranch properties and a slaughterhouse in San Francisco, deeded this property to Alexander & Knoch, whom he owed $13,362.11. Alexander & Knoch, in turn, sold it to the McKissick Cattle Company.

Tomorrow: Part II

P.S. – Still in search of a  home.

It has been a long time since I have done this feature. For some, even though the photograph was taken in 1965, it should be easily recognizable. However, things change over the years, and this location and has under gone many.

Tim

P.S. – Still in search of a  home.

Note: This photograph is featured for March for those that purchased my 2026 calendars.  So this a refresher, in case you are  about Cinder Cone.

Long before the Lassen Peak eruptions of 1914-15 there were reports of other volcanic activity in the region. It was said that Cinder Cone, ten miles east of Mount Lassen, had erupted during the winter of 1850-51.

These purported eruptions caught the attention of San Francisco physician Harvey W. Harkness, who had a keen interest in scientific matters. In the summer of 1874, he visited Plumas County. While there he heard the story of a recent volcanic eruption located in a far northern portion of the county known as Cinder Cone. Since he was already in the territory, he decided to examine Cinder Cone. In the fall Harkness addressed the California Academy of Sciences and told of his observations. He informed the Academy that the eruption there was indeed of recent origin. After his presentation, he came in contact with four men who had seen the eruptions from afar. One of these men was Oliver Wozencraft, who lived near Red Bluff during the winter of 1850-51. He informed Harkness that he saw a great fire east of Lassen that continued for many nights but never changed its position.

After Harkness’ findings were published, it served as a reminder to many that a volcanic eruption could be impending. It was not for decades that Harkness’ theory was challenged. The whole issue has been resolved only within the last few decades by the United Stated Geologic Survey, which determined that Cinder Cone’s last eruption occurred sometime around 1666, not 1850.

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While sorting through files, I came across this photograph that some might be interested. It was a Catholic Church located at Constantia Ranch. By the mid-1920s services were discontinued and the church abandoned. In 1994, the Doyle Historical Society moved the church to Doyle and restored the building.

Tim

In 1970, the Lassen County American Indian Organization held its first annual All Indian Basketball Tournament. In 1976 during the nation’s bicentennial a special championship trophy would be in the memory of Thomas Tucker, a Maidu. Tucker fought in World War I with Company L, 363 Infantry, 91 Division of the U.S. Army. He was killed in action on September 28, 1918 in France. Susanville’s American Legion Post 204 was named in his honor. Oh, and by they way, the Bridgeport Renegades won the tournament by crushing the North State Hawks of Redding, 100 to 53.

Tim