Category Archives: History

Menopause Manor

February 28, 2016 Tim Purdy 2 Comments

During the 1970s and early’80s the north wing of the second floor of the Lassen County Courthouse not only housed the County Clerk’s Office, but its occupants dubbed themselves the Menopause Manor, though an exception for their token male employee, Bruce D. Dyer.

These ladies—Sue Farstad, Jacquelyn Fuller, Betty Hibbs and June Nelson—were the nicest bunch of ladies that I had a privileged to be associated with. They provided me with an education that I could not obtain from an institution of higher learning. This was during a period wherein I truly started in earnest my research into local history and debunking many a myth. My favorite was when I made inquiries about local historical publications and trying to ascertain the source, would get that so and so provided the information, as the courthouse had burned down so there is no record. Lo, and behold on September 30, 1975 I made my first appearance at the courthouse and was overwhelmed by all the documents available, dating back to the 1850s, prior to the formation of Lassen County, no less! The tale the courthouse had burned down was just a lazy excuse for not doing the hands on, tedious research.

The ladies of Menopause Manor took me under their wings, and for the first several years I drove them nearly insane with my incessant questions. Yet, they patiently answered and explained everything, so in the end not only did I have a firm understanding of county government, but the workings of the court system and elections. I will always be grateful for everything I learned from the ladies of Menopause Manor. Yet, you the reader of this daily blog, or of my books, are the beneficiary of their contribution to my education.

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History

Constantia School

February 26, 2016 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

In 1897 and 1898 the Warm Springs and Junction Schools were formally declared closed by the Superintendent of Schools. Due to that circumstance, no school existed in the extreme southern portion of Lassen County. In 1904, F.C. McDiarmid petitioned the County Superintendent of Schools, J.F. Dixon, to form a new school district in the southernmost portion of Lassen County. McDiarmid cited there were 21 school age children in the proposed district and that the majority of these children resided more than ten miles from the nearest schoolhouse. McDiarmid’s petition was submitted on March 14^th and required urgent attention. State law required all new districts be formed before the 5^th of April of any year. Dixon urged the Board of Supervisors to approve the District and noted that the Board would need to hold a special meeting to meet the State deadline. The Board of Supervisors held a special meeting on April 4^th, with three members in attendance, and approved the formation of the Constantia School District. The District boundaries included the Constantia Ranch and all the territory south to the Sierra County line. Continue reading Constantia School →

History

Wingfield’s Meadowbrook Ranch

February 25, 2016 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

On May 23, 1910, Nevada millionaire, George Wingfield purchased the 320-acre Clinton DeForest ranch at the base of Diamond Mountain to construct a summer home. This, of course, was unheard by the local populace.

No time was wasted and construction of the $25,000 home, complete with at that time, modern electric and plumbing fixtures. The house, was the project of Wingfield’s wife, Maude.

Besides the house, there was guest house, a greenhouse, blacksmith shop and two fish ponds, along with a wildlife preserve. In due time, Wingfield enlarged the holdings by another 1,300 acres. In one acquisition he purchased the timber holdings of the Lassen Mill & Lumber Company. Included was a tugboat used on Honey Lake. Wingfield which he converted the boat into a pleasure vessel and even had a special boathouse constructed on the shoreline of Honey Lake.

The landscaped grounds of Meadowbrook Ranch. Courtesy of Alphozene Terrill

On July 24, 1923, the Wingfields sold the property to the Lassen Mill & Lumber Company for an undisclosed amount. The latter’s sole interest was for the timber estimated at 20 million board feet. The following year the property was converted into the Susanville Country Club, but that is another story for another time.

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History

Orpheum Theater

February 24, 2016 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

In 1913, Susanville’s first movie theater opened for business at 804 Main Street. It was a multi-functional building where dances and other social events were held. It should be noted that the first movies to be shown in Susanville occurred in 1907. When the Orpheum first opened, movies were shown usually two to three nights a week. Whatever the case may be, it became one of the most popular social hubs in town. It should also be noted, that the basement of the Orpheum housed a bakery.

In 1921, the Orpheum had competition when the Liberty Theater opened at the present site of Sierra Theater. The Orpheum adapted and at times had a skating rink and bowling alley. Many a civic organization held meetings and social fundraisers there. On May 16, 1963, Paul Langslet had the building demolished for a parking/used car lot.

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History

Susanville – Smith Hotel

February 23, 2016 Tim Purdy 2 Comments

Smith Hotel, circa 1880. Courtesy of Verna M. Wood

The Smith Hotel, I have found intriguing in the sense of the lack of records. Yet, it was one of the more substantial buildings in Susanville during its day.

The founder, Jacob Smith, a german immigrant whose true spelling of his last name was Schmitt, arrived in Susanville, in the fall of 1864. Records about his early activities conflict. According to Fairfield’s history, Smith operated a brewery from 1865 to 1872. Yet in December 1868 the Lassen Advocate reported that Smith and Doctor R.F. Moody were partners in a drug store. Moody filled the prescriptions and Smith sold them. The Advocate in April 1869 reported that Smith sold his drug store to Dr. Z.N. Spalding and had returned to brewing beer.

In the summer of 1877, Smith begins construction of his “fire-proof” three-story hotel. However, only the first floor was made of stone. It was also not fire-proof as it was destroyed in the big fire of 1882. Some records state that Smith, along with his wife, Sophia, remained in the hotel business and others he continued as a brewer. Dick Harrison, a great-grandson was under the impression that Sophia operated a boarding house, but not a full-fledged hotel.

When new material surfaces, this page will be updated.

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History

Red River’s Livestock Brand

February 22, 2016 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

In today’s marketing world one of the most used terms is “brand.” However, the agricultural community, brands are more than a marketing gimmick.

One would not think a lumber company would have a brand for livestock. When Red River first set up shop in Mountain Meadows, Fletcher Walker’s goal that the entire operation would be self sufficient, as possible with certain limitations. It was an admirable goal.

Initially, Red River needed horses for logging, which they did not completely phase out until the late 1920s. Red River had its own dairy herd to provide for milk, etc which all was produced in its own dairy. Since Red River owned a sizeable portion of Mountain Meadows, they initially raised their own cattle. Due to the winter weather conditions there, the cattle had to be moved elsewhere. My grandfather, John Tanner, routinely during the 1920s would pasture a portion of Red River’s herd for the winter in the Honey Lake Valley.

It was only fitting that Red River’s used the initials of TB for its brand. For those not familiar with the company, the initials are of its founder, Thomas Barlow Walker, who routinely used his initials, “TB.”

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History

Herlong

February 21, 2016 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

My knowledge of the history of Herlong is rather slim. On the other hand I know the history of its predecessors, such as Honey Lake City, Cromwell, Rayl and Hackstaff. If anyone has stories of Herlong they would like to share, by all means you are welcome.

Herlong came into existence on February 5, 1942, when General George Catlett Marshall, Chief of Staff, signed War Department General Order No. 9 that established the Sierra Ordnance Depot. Construction of the Depot began the following month. The community there was named for Captain Henry W. Herlong, the first Ordnance Officer killed in World War II. On November 18, 1942, the Herlong Post Office was established.

Jo Iland put together a good history of the early days of the construction of Herlong. It was published in bulletin No. 16 of the Lassen County Historical Society in 1966. However, I have no idea if it is still available.

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History

A Westwood Reader Laments

February 20, 2016 Tim Purdy 4 Comments

A sinker log pulled from the Westwood log pond. Courtesy of Doug Luff

A reader wrote : “Hi. Tim! I know there are much more positive aspects about the history of Westwood that people would find interesting. It seems to me that using “Westwood Rumor Mill” and “Westwood’s Deportation of Immigrants” as the titles puts negative thoughts about our town in the reader’s mind right from the get go. Have you posted any other articles about Westwood that can show me that I have jumped to the wrong conclusion here? I sincerely hope so, as I truly enjoy your other work. You are an amazing historian! Hoping to hear from you.”
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History

Tufa Formations

February 19, 2016 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

When you start exploring the countryside from Wendel and beyond, one can see a lot of interesting objects. One of the more interesting items are tufa formations. Actually, the Pyramid Lake region has some most spectacular tufa deposits to be found anywhere.

The tufa is composed of calcium carbonate that accumulates from a underwater spring, for an extended period of time. In this case, it was the ancient Lake Lahontan that allowed for the perfect condition for the tufa to form. When the lake receded, then the deposits were revealed.

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History

Riverside Hospital

February 18, 2016 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

When Fruit Growers decided to establish a mill at Susanville, there were a number of factors to be considered. Due to its size, they had to meet the 1913 Workmen’s Compensation Insurance and Safety Act. At Hilt, Fruit Growers had to establish a hospital and since Lassen County had built a new hospital in 1916, it was initially thought it could handle their needs. However, that was not the case. Continue reading Riverside Hospital →