Category Archives: History

History

Thompson Peak

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Thompson Peak
Thompson Peak, 1952

In December 1856, Manly Thompson located near the base of this mountain and built one of the first cabins in the region. Like so many of the original settlers of the Honey Lake Valley he moved onto he did remain in the region and moved on. On October 27, 1875, Thompson sold his 276-acre ranch to James P. Sharp for $6,000 and moved to Elko, Nevada. His lasting legacy of the region is his name applied to this prominent peak.

Recently, I had accidentally stumble upon this most interesting website concerning Thompson Peak. It is worth the gander. For me it brought back some interesting memories when my brother, Gary and others, including yours truly, gave serious consideration of climbing its rock face back in the mid-1970s.

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History

Susanville’s Bandstand

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Main Street, 1906
Looking west on Main Street, at Lassen, 1906. You can see the bandstand in the background. By the way, the gentleman crossing the street is Dr. W.E. Dozier. Photograph courtesy of Betty Barry Deal

A little known fact is that Susanville had its own bandstand. It was located at the top of Main Street. It was through the energetic efforts of the Mountain Echo Band. In September 1902, the octagonal bandstand was constructed and even adorned with electrical lights. On September 14, 1902, the bandstand was dedicated by the Mountain Echo Band  with their first concert. Two weeks later it was focal point of royal pageant during the county fair.  A few years later the Mountain Echo Band disbanded and the bandstand fell into disrepair. By 1906, one observer said the relic had become eyesore on the community. In 1908, it was torn down.

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History

Westwood’s Old Town

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Westwood's Old Town. Courtesy of Hank Martinez
Westwood’s Old Town. Courtesy of Hank Martinez

In reality, Westwood had two distinct communities—the town proper and the neighborhood on the other side of the millpond. Mill B and the initial housing quarters were constructed on the east bank of Robbers Creek. All of the permanent facilities, including Mill A and the town proper were built on the west bank. The older community had been referred with several designations. In the early years, some called it Oakland, others Baytown. Whatever the case may be, residents of Westwood stated it was where the “foreigners” lived—mainly Italians and Mexicans. References in a pre-politically correct era dubbed the place Dago Town. Eventually, using a less derogatory tone it evolved into Old Town—being the original location of Westwood.

In the summer of 1943, a contest was held to rename Old Town. Thirty-nine people suggested ninety-two names. The new name selected was Pine Town submitted by Roger Mentick who received a $15 prize in War Savings Stamps.

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History

Prattville Burn

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1925
Prattville burn, 1926.

It was not until the 1920s that the Red River Lumber Company experienced problems with forest fires. Some time back I wrote about that company’s fire train. On July 27, 1926, a fire started at Butt Valley where Red River was logging. This was one instant that while the fire train was dispatched it was no match for the inferno. Continue reading Prattville Burn →

History

Big Valley Toll Road

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Big Toll Road
This hand drawn map, was made part of the company’s Articles of Incorporation.

In 1870, when gold was discovered at Hayden Hill, it was only a matter of time for some enterprising entrepreneurs to come up with plan to make money on this new gold rush. In this case it was John Watts, David Watson and Benjamin Neuhaus. On April 24, 1871, they incorporated as the Big Valley Toll Road Company. The road would begin at the Neuhaus’ ranch (Murrer) in Willow Creek Valley, then north along Eagle Lake, Grasshopper Valley to Hayden City, then to Hayden Hill with a terminus near Adin. These “dreamers” hoped to raise $40,000 in stock to finance their endeavor. While the concept on paper had merit, in reality it was doomed to failure, as it was already an established road. In 1875, the Lassen County Board of Supervisors declared the route as a public thoroughfare. Portions of the original route would eventually become part of State Highway 139.

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History

Pine Creek Valley

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Pine Creek Valley
Pine Creek Valley, June 18, 2015

Traveling across Highway 44, the Pine Creek Valley appears to be a desolate wind swept sagebrush flat, surrounded by pine trees. While in a sense that maybe true today, with a great deal of human activity concentrated at the Bogard Rest Station. By the way the area is named for John Jasper Bogard, a Tehama County stockman, who in the mid-1870s started using the area for summer grazing of sheep. Actually, the region was home to many sheep outfits, such as Champs, McCoy and Stanford, the latter as in Stanford University. These sheep outfits had a huge impact on western Lassen County, and so many of the natural features were named for them. My Lassen County Almanac: An Historical Encyclopedia contains all the details and more. Continue reading Pine Creek Valley →

History

Inspiration Point Tour

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Inspiration Point
Inspiration Point, 1930s. Note the original McKinley and Washington Schools in the foreground. Remember, you can click on the picture for a larger image.

For decades this prominent feature at the west end of Susanville had no name. The locals just referred to it as the “bluff.” By late 1918, it appeared that the Great War, now referred today as World War I, was coming to end. Locally, discussions were held how to honor the men from Lassen County who lost their lives. It was proposed a monument be placed at the bluff and the bluff be named Lookover Loop. This, of course, did not materialize. More about this and other attempts to develop this remarkable landmark will be one of my topics to be addressed at September’s forthcoming tour. Please note, this is a paid  subscriber’s only event. It is never to late join in on the fun. Details as to dates and times will be forthcoming to subscribers. Consideration is being given to do two: one mid-week in the evening and the other on a Saturday or Sunday. Those who are either out of the area, or have prior commitments, of course, will receive a paper on the topics discussed.

As a little incentive, the first fifteen subscribers will receive a free copy of Untold Stories.

Also, you do not want to miss out on a special Halloween tour.

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