Category Archives: History

Susanville – Main Street, 1901

September 22, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Susanville was in the midst of re-building its business from the devastating fire of June 1900. It was from that fire the led to the creation of the City of Susanville. Actually, the town suffered from many fires, and that history can be found here. What is interesting with this photograph you will notice the vacant lot between the Cohn Bros. and the Pioneer. It should be noted that the Pioneer used the lot for a beer garden, until O.M. Doyle constructed a two-story stone building that eventually became home of the Grand Cafe. The building to the right to the Pioneer, is still standing, the front having been modified and is home to Margie’s Book Nook.

Note: This article originally appeared on March 29. I am selecting some early posts, to fill in https://tipurdy.org/subscribe/while I am on the road to recovery. For five dollars by subscribing, you can receive a daily email on that day’s topic, and in doing so, help preserve a bit of history.

History

Lassen Grain & Milling Company

September 21, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

In February 1917, this new company was organized with Fred Bagin spearheading it. When the news broke, it made the grain growers of the Honey Lake Valley rejoice. After all, the flour mill at Johnstonville had been closed nearly a decade and the Janesville mill was operating at half capacity, and only during the harvest season. Continue reading Lassen Grain & Milling Company →

History

Milford Creamery

September 19, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

In the past we have explored various creameries of the Honey Lake Valley such as the ones at Johnstonville and Spoonville.

Around 1901/02 the Wemple Brothers at Milford decided to give it a try and established the Lakeshore Creamery on the Wemple Ranch.

Like the other operations, this, too, was short-lived. As one family member put it that all the brothers wanted to be the boss, so getting the actual work done could be problematic. Thus, due to that unfortunate circumstance, the brothers abandoned the enterprise.

History

Lassen County Courthouse

September 18, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

In June 1915, Lassen County voters approved a $125,000 bond measure to build a new courthouse, to replace the old wooden constructed in 1867. Since it was deemed to use the existing site, the old one would need to be moved, while the new one was constructed. So in September 1915, the courthouse was put on rollers and moved fifteen feet to the property line along Lassen Street. It would remain in place there and used until the new courthouse was completed, mainly for storage, and the county offices found temporary housing in the Lassen County Jail.

In November 1916, the county advertised for bids for the sale of the old courthouse in anticipation of moving into the new facility. Plenty of people inspected the building. The county did not know when the building would be available. In January 1917, the county received two bids for the structure one from Sierra Packing Company for $50 and the other from Charlie Emerson for $60. The county rejected both and decided to auction it off. When that event would happen no one knew. There were delays in moving into the new building, one of the big obstacles was that of the cost of furniture. During the first week in April moving into the new courthouse began in earnest.

On April 28, 1917, the auction was held with George Bennett’s winning bid of $85. Bennett immediately sold it at a higher undisclosed amount to Dan Armstrong who tore down the building and used it for scrap lumber.

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History

Rayl

September 17, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Long before Herlong came into existence, there were several attempts to establish a town there. One of these was Rayl, for Stanley Rayl who in 1915, investigated the premises. Since the location was at the junction of the Nevada-California-Oregon (NCO) & Western Pacific (WP) railroads, it was an attractive spot for entrepreneurs. In the summer of 1915, Rayl filed rights to an initial 40 acres and constructed a combination two-story hotel and general store. Continue reading Rayl →

History

Plumas Pines Resort

September 16, 2015 Tim Purdy 2 Comments

Usually, there are a few of us who get together to make an annual luncheon trip to Plumas Pines at Lake Almanor. However, between everyone’s schedule and then my broken hip that I am recovering from, we will have to wait until next year.

It is interesting to note that development of what is known as Prattville today, versus the original town of Prattville, which was destroyed to make way for Lake Almanor, had its humble origins dating back to 1916. It was none other than the forest service who offered 88 lots for a special use permit fee of ten dollars a year.

In 1932, Adelaide and Fred Smith established the Plumas Pines Resort. The Smith’s operated it for the next twenty years. Since that time it has had numerous owners, but its always worthy a visit.

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History

Lunch Time

September 15, 2015 Tim Purdy 2 Comments

I know hardly anything about this photograph, however, for reasons unknown I just like it. It is a woods crew of Fruit Growers Supply Company working from Camp Ten in 1932. Notice the two men on the far left with quart bottles of milk. Does anyone know how the milk was kept somewhat cool?

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History

1-0-1 Ranch Sold

September 13, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Mountain Meadows Cemetery — The private cemetery at 1-0-1 Ranch as it appeared in the 1930s. Courtesy of the National Park Service.

While I continue on my road to recovery. I will provide some news updates, even though the “locals” may be aware of it. However, this web site has a wide following, even internationally. Consider this someone from Tokyo researched Spoonville, another from Brazil searched the Bank of Lassen County. In October, an article will appear about readership topics.

Now to the topic at hand. The historic 1-0-1 Ranch at Mountain Meadows has been sold. According to news sources on July 31, 2015 Dye Creek Land & Cattle Company sold the 2,318 acre ranch to Sierra Pacific Industries, the latter, of course, always seeking to enlarge its timber holdings.

Included in the sale is the Coppervale Ski Area which Lassen Community College operates under a long term lease. Hopefully, Coppervale will be busy with skiers this winter.

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History

Eagle Lake Water Levels

September 11, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Gallatin Beach, Eagle Lake, 1940. Courtesy of Lola L. Tanner

At the June meeting of the Eagle Lake Interagency Board meeting it was thought that Eagle Lake would reach a new historic low water level. On August, 31, 2015, Matthew May, Associate Lassen County Planner recorded the level at 5091.16, just shy of the record low of 5091. May noted that the level had dropped 2.4 inches in the last month. Stay tuned for further developments.

Once I have an opportunity I will post some photographs of the lake’s east shore taken in the 1930s by my grandmother Lola Murrer Tanner, who was born this day in 1899 at the family ranch in Willow Creek Valley. Also the 2016 Lassen High Alumni Calendar includes a new before published record high water scene taken in 1916, which will be released in October.

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History

Snag Lake

September 9, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Snag Lake located in the eastern portion of Lassen Volcanic National Park, was originally called Snaggy Lake, and over the years its named shortened to Snag. The lake was formed 200 years ago from the lava flows that created the Fantastic Lava Beds. Trapped in the lake, after it was created, were a number of pine trees that died and are commonly referred to as “snags.”

The lake is only accessed by hiking or horseback. However, those who make the trek agree its worth it. I made the trek in the early 1980s, traversing most of the eastern half of the park.