Category Archives: History

Alexander Howell

June 3, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Photographers, of course, is a favorite topic of mine. After all, thanks to their work we have a visual record of our past. It has been important to document the photographers of the late 1800s, so as to know the time frames when they chronicled the events. Due to a small population many photographers only remained a year or two, and even then they rode the “circuit” traveling to Modoc and Plumas counties to drum up business.

Alexander Howell came to Susanville from Oregon where he learned the photography trade. On April 15, 1891 he opened his Susanville studio. The following year he was lured to Amedee, with the prospects afforded by this boomtown. After a two-year stint, he traveled throughout Northern California and finally settled permanently at Auburn, California. Very few of his Lassen County works remain, but there is one of the Golden Eagle Mine at Hayden Hill, another topic for another time.

The current issue of the Lassen County Historical Society features an article of another photographer, Jervie Eastman. The article has a number of flaws, so just be be aware.

Support this site and Subscribe today!

History

Edsel Dealership

June 2, 2015 Tim Purdy 5 Comments

80 N. Roop St. — 80 N. Roop Street, Susanville, May 3, 2015

A wide variety of people read the daily posts, and that is a good thing, in the sense for everyone to become more familiar with the region’s heritage.

Of course, while researching one topic, invariably I come across other items, that I was not seeking. Some days it can be hard not to get sidetracked. In a recent instance while researching the Theodore brand, I came across the Susanville Edsel dealership of yore. It was located at 80 North Roop Street, now home to Lasco and Rooptown Bicycles What many people may not realize that the building was constructed in 1957 for the dealership. Of course, Ford’s Edsel automobile was a failure and it soon closed. Many a seasoned resident will recall this building housed the California Department of Motor Vehicles for many years.

Support this site and Subscribe today!

History

The Gold Rush of 1907

June 1, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

The winter of 1906-07 was a fairly went one, though not a record breaker. It was remember most for the brutal month of March. The Honey Lake Valley region witnessed heavy rains and snow that month—12 to 18 inches worth depending where one was located.

All that precipitation brought about a few side effects. First there was a lot of soil erosion. This exposed a lot of minerals never seen before. With a mining bonanza under way throughout Nevada, local prospectors went in search of a new mother lode. Gold was being found in the most unusual places. The Indians panned for gold on Bass Hill in a what is normally a dry ravine that feeds Sugro Reservoir (located across the entrance of the Bass Hill Landfill in case you were not aware it has a name). Gold mining was done at the head of Rice Canyon, as well as Shafffer Mountain. As a matter of fact it was reported that nearly all of Shaffer had been claimed for mining. However, when summer arrived and with no major discoveries, the mining excitement faded as quickly as it had begun.

Support this site and Subscribe today!

History

McKinley School

May 31, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

The first McKinley School was built in 1920 and located on Cottage and South Gay Street, on the same lot that the former Washington School, nee Credence was located.

Yet, it was the Washington School that was built in 1900 that time had taken a toll on the structure. In 1947, the Susanville School District were concerned that it would not pass a number of safety codes. The following year the building was condemned and the district was concerned McKinley, too, would suffer the same fate. The District now had the daunting task to find funds to replace the two schools. The State of California determined that the District was determined “distressed” and was eligible for $341,065 in funds. It was decided to create two neighborhood schools, and McKinley was located to Fourth Street. The new school building opened its doors in May 1950.

Support this site and Subscribe today!

History

Painters Flat

May 30, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

After the murder of Peter Lassen in the spring of 1859, tension between the settlers and the Indians became intense. Within a year the region experienced the Pyramid Lake War. On June 17, 1860, Horace Adams was murdered by the Indians at his ranch near Lathrop’s Station in the Honey Lake Valley. Two days laters, Col. Frederick W. Lander and Captain William Weatherlow gathered a group of men together to locate the Indians responsible for Adams’ death. They followed the Indians’ tracks north to the Madeline Plains. From there, they headed east through a canyon. Just before entering a valley there, they were ambushed by the Indians, Alexander A. Painter was mortally wounded. Painter’s body was moved a mile northeast from where he died. He was buried there beneath a cedar tree.

Support this site and Subscribe today!

History

Susanville Quarry

May 29, 2015 Tim Purdy 1 Comment

Knoch Building — Construction of the $20,000 Masonic Hal in 1893.

In 1860, saw the discovery of rhyolite tuff at the base of Susanville’s Inspiration Point. It is an ideal building material, because it is light weight, and can easily be sculptured. In 1862, H.F. Thompson began the development of a quarry, and hence how Quarry Street is named. Some of its first uses was for headstones, the largest being for the grave of Captain William Weatherlow who died in 1864. In 1863, Miller & Kingsley had the first stone building constructed from the quarry. The last major use of the quarry was in late 1930s to construct the Spalding home on Quarry Street.

Support this site and Subscribe today!

History

Garfield Oates

May 28, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Garfield Oates began his career as a mechanical engineer with Diamond Iron Works in Minneapolis. In the fall of 1912 he was sent to Westwood to supervise the construction of Red River’s sawmill, as it was designed by Diamond Iron Works, who supplied most of the machinery. After the completion of the mill, Red River offered him a position of resident engineer which he accepted. Oates designed many of the landmark buildings of Westwood including the Auditorium, Masonic Hall and Theater. He was very active in community and served many years as the president of the Westwood Auto which was a defacto Chamber of Commerce for Red River. After all, Red River did not need a chamber, since it was company town, so there was no need to attract businesses to locate there. Yet the Auto Club promoted Red River products. He died in 1934 after a four day bout with a gall bladder attack.

Support this site and Subscribe today!

History

Emerson Hotel

May 27, 2015 Tim Purdy 1 Comment

After the devastating fire of June 6, 1900, a new Susanville would arise from the ashes. In addition, the town witnessed a substantial use of brick for the preferred building material.

On July 31, 1900 groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the largest most expensive building to be constructed in town to date. It was Charlie Emerson’s three-story hotel, encompassing a quarter of a block on the southwest corner of Main and Lassen Streets. The $300,000 brick building contained 27,576 square feet. Besides providing the assortment of business spaces, it also included 76 guest rooms. A grand opening was held on June 3, 1901, and The Emerson became the town’s premiere social hub.

Support this site and Subscribe today!

History, News

1600 Main Street

May 26, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Pardee campaign headquarters, October 1978

Part news and part history. On April 28, the first hurdle was made for the construction of a 17,400 square foot Rite Aid store. The store, along with the parking lot will encompass the entire 1600 block of Main Street. Of course, this site was the former home of Potter’s Maternity Home on the corner of Main and Park. In 1966, United California Bank took over this location and constructed their bank, which held an open house of February 27, 1967. It has housed a number of financial institutions since then. Of course, on the corner of Main and Ash was Baxter’s Flying “A” Service Station. After it closed, for a brief time in 1978 it housed Jim Pardee’s campaign headquarters for Lassen County Superior Court Judge, and then was subsequently torn down and has been a vacant ever since.

According to records filed with the city the bronze plaque commemorating Potter’s will be preserved and replaced on the site. The fire department has sought authorization to conduct fire training on the bank and remaining vacant residences scheduled for demolition. It is Rite Aid’s goal to be in their new location by the of 2015.

Support this site and Subscribe today!

History

Gallatin Beach, 1920s

May 24, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Gallatin Beach, 1922. Courtesy of Lydia Odette

Gallatin Beach has certainly evolved over the years. During the 1910s, the beach did not exist, due to the high water levels of Eagle Lake. By 1917, Eagle Lake reached its peak high water mark, and on the south shore, considerable timber was flooded, killing trees some hundreds of years old.

In the 1920s, the water level of lake began to recede, in part by Bly’s Tunnel and equally important the region was in the midst of a 20-year drought. Dead trees were now a part of the beach’s landscape. Local water enthusiasts made the most of the situation, and incorporated them into photo ops