Category Archives: History

History

McClelland Ranch

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Byers' Store
Byers’ old Baxter Creek general store that was later moved his Tule ranch and operated by his nephew, Jim McClelland,. Photograph taken May 1975, on one of my many visits to see Esther McClelland.

Since there were some requests for information about the McClelland Ranch, I will provide some of its earliest history. It should be noted that the McClelland Ranch is one of many that will featured in my forthcoming book about stories behind the brands on the wall at the Pioneer.

In the summer of 1857, two brothers, Abijah and Charles Adams settled on what would become the McClelland Ranch. In answer to one question posed in June of 1859, George Lathrop and Thomas Harvey located on land that would later become the Mapes Ranch. In that same year, another Adams brother, Horace arrived on the scene to take up residence there.

The story of Horace Adams is tragic one, for on June 18, when Horace Adams was stepping out of the cabin he was killed by Big Jim, a Paiute. To have better understanding about the tense situation then, read my Willow Creek Valley book, though out of print, it is available at many libraries.

In 1868, the Adams Brothers sold their ranch to James R. Withington for $2,000. In 1872, Withington sold the ranch, which then consisted of 955 acres to James D. Byers for $2.700. In addition, Byers purchased three adjoining homesteads. Byers, a bachelor, made his home with his nephew’s family, William McClelland. Upon his death in 1902, he left the ranch to the McClellands.

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History

October Preview

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Amedee, 1913. Courtesy of Tom Armstrong
Amedee, 1913. Courtesy of Tom Armstrong

Here is the line up for daily posts. Of course, unique events and/or interesting stories that may arise in the interim, may alter the schedule.

McClelland Ranch 10/1/15
Secret Valley Paiutes 10/2/15
Lassen County Deer Hunting 10/3/15
Susanville Coca Cola Plant 10/4/15
Susan River, 1981 10/5/15
You, the reader 10/6/15
Bert Rodman 10/7/15
Tule Confederacy 10/8/15
Amedee 10/9/15
Building Westwood 10/10/15
Susanville – 30 S. Roop St. 10/11/15
Susanville Bordellos 10/12/15
Soldier Bridge School Early Years 10/13/15
Your Topic 10/14/15
Richmond Road Bridge 10/15/15
Susanville – Quonset Huts 10/16/15
R.J. Scott 10/17/15
Knoch Building Early Years 10/18/15
2016 Lassen High Alumni Calendars 10/19/15
Liegan 10/20/15
Queen Lena I – Update 10/21/15
Amedee School 10/22/15
Susanville – 200 S. Roop St. 10/23/15
Halloween Tour – Update 10/24/15
Grand Café 10/25/15
Russian Thistle 10/26/15
Prattville Road 10/27/15
Pacific Coast Bear Club 10/28/15
Swamp Angel 10/29/15
Freak Party 10/30/15
Forthcoming Posts 10/31/15
History

Susanville – Bank of America

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BofA
Bank of America

It is always amazing how fast time marches on.  It was back in April 1978, when Bank of America announced plans to build a new bank on the corner of Main & Gay Streets for $500,000. This was to replace the existing bank on Main Street that had only been built seven years earlier at a cost of $413,000. It was the latter building when it was constructed that got the community in an uproar, as Bank of America torn the original two-story landmark bank on the corner of Main and Gay Streets for a parking lot.

BofA columns
Final demolition of the original Bank of America, to make way for a parking lot.

Note: This article originally appeared on April 19, 2015. I am selecting some early posts, to fill in 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, News

Susanville – 607 Cottage Street

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The house was originally located at 601 Cottage Street. In 1939, it was moved to 607 to make way for a parking lot, for the new Safeway Store. Dr. J.R. Packwood later remodeled it, adding a second story.
The house was originally located at 601 Cottage Street. In 1939, it was moved to 607 to make way for a parking lot, for the new Safeway Store. Dr. J.R. Packwood later remodeled it, adding a second story. Courtesy of JoAnn Uptegrove

Today, at 8:15 a.m. marks six weeks since I underwent surgery for my broken hip. I arrived home one day last week, though I need the aid of a walker to get around, among other things.  Slowly, but surely progress is being made. I have been assured that I should be able to attend the Lassen County Planning Commission meeting on October 7, followed by the Lassen College Board  a week later. As I write this, though, that seems likes an eon away, having yet to be able to venture down the stairs and to the outside world.

While I was in rehab, I did make the best of my idle time when I was not in occupation and/or physical therapy sessions. One major accomplishment was the drafting of the Inspiration Point Tour presentation. When I will be able to do this walking tour, unfortunately, at this time I do not know.  It may be a small practice run in November, and then a regular tour next spring. Too many unknowns, as not just with my walking ability, but weather and other factors to be considered.

607 Cottage Street as it appeared in the winter of 2005. One portion of me, hopes a heavy winter appears, and another somewhat terrified with the prospect of snow and ice, mainly the latter, as I don't want to have another disastrous fall.
607 Cottage Street as it appeared in the winter of 2005. One portion of me, hopes a heavy winter appears, and another somewhat terrified with the prospect of snow and ice, mainly the latter, as I don’t want to have another disastrous fall.

Finally, and most importantly, I want to say a very big thank you to everyone, who lent a helping hand during this most interesting episode of my life.

For five dollars a month by subscribing, you can receive a daily email on that day’s topic, and in doing so, help preserve a bit of history.

History

Cedarville, 1879

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In my very first post about Adin, it initially starts out concerning the works of photographer Herman Brince. After leaving Adin, Brince toured Modoc County and provides us with a glimpse of what Cedarville looked like then.

Cedarville
Cedarville, 1879

Cedarville’s humble beginnings began in the fall of 1865 when James Townsend built a cabin and commenced operations of a general store. His tenure was brief, for a year later in pursuit of some stolen livestock he was killed in a skirmish with the Indians. The following summer (1867), two enterprising entrepreneurs, John H. Bonner and William T. Cressler established a store there to become very successful businessmen there. They eventually bought Townsend’s cabin for their store. They went one step further and plotted out a town they named Cedarville after Bonner’s home town in Ohio.

Note: This article originally appeared on March 13. I am selecting some early posts, to fill in while I am on the road to recovery. For five dollars by, you can receive a daily email on that day’s topic, and in doing so, help preserve a bit of history.

History

Queen Lena, I

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Queen Lena
Queen Lena the first, September 24, 1902. Courtesy of Betty Barry Deal

On September 24, 1902, Miss Lena Long won a lively contest to be crowned Queen, which was part of the festivities of the first Lassen County Fair to be held in ten years.

Since I am writing this from a remote location, I do not have access to my files, a more detailed post is in the future. Just stay tuned and thanks for your patience.

For five dollars a month by subscribing, you can receive a daily email on that day’s topic, and in doing so, help preserve a bit of history.

History

Susanville – Main Street, 1901

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Main Street, 1901
South side of the 700 block of Susanville’s Main Street, 1901

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

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Lassen Grain & Milling
Lassen Grain & Milling Company, circa 1918. Courtesy of Dick & Helen Harrison

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

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Lakeshore Creamery, Milford, 1903
Lakeshore Creamery, Milford, 1903

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

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Lassen County Courthouse
The old courthouse block as it appeared around 1912.

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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