Category Archives: History

History

A Susanville Teacher Retires

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Mary Hurley-Courtesy of Betty Barry Deal

In 1913, Susanville teacher, Mary Hurley retired at the age of 69. In 1880, twice widowed at the age of 36, she was accepted as a teacher at the Susanville Grammar School. She taught there for four years, and briefly relocated to Los Angeles. In 1887, she returned to Susanville and was hired at her old teaching job in Susanville, where she taught for twenty-six years.

Susanville Grammar School, circa 1905- Courtesy Betty Barry Deal

But her retirement was different than others. She was the first Lassen County teacher to receive a pension from the Teachers’ Retirement Fund of the State of California. Her quarterly retirement  check was for $125.00. In 1924, she moved to San Francisco where she passed away on February 15, 1929. She is buried in the Susanvillw Cemetery, but has no headstone. While the Hurley name is not known these days, she has lots of relatives, her one sister,  Cetera  married Ben Leavitt and the other Florence married Clinton DeForest

Tim

History

Every Votes Count

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A.K. Philbrook and his new buggy in front of the Sol Nathan residence on Roop Street. Courtesy of Philip S. Hall

While here in Lassen County we are spared of elections in 2025. Other places in California will hold elections under the  Uniform District Elections UDEL). These elections include schools, fire districts, community service district etc. Under former Lassen County Clerk Theresa Nagel, opted to consolidate the UDEL’s with the General Election in even years.

Philbrook’s 1917 advertisement in the Westwood Independent

Every region experiences close elections, and Lassen County has had its share. This story involves the 1914 election of Lassen County Coroner and Public Administrator. The two candidates were A.H. Taylor who served as the Registrar of U.S. Land Office. The other, was incumbent A.K. Philrook, who was the local undertaker.  Philbrook won the race by three votes. However, Taylor challenged the vote and asked for a recount. The result was unchanged and Philbrook would serve another four year term.

Tim

History

An NCO Critic

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A November 22, 1915 NCO ticket stub. Courtesy of Dorothy Capezzoli

It is the beginning of April and I just happened to be wearing my  favorite cranky pants. I have been dealing with a critic(s) about the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway (NCO). who insinuated that my knowledge only pertained to Lassen County. It’s far from the truth,. People who have been acquainted with my research over the decades know that the said criticism is erroneous .

However, the truth be known Lassen County played a substantial role in the NCO’s history. When the NCO finally reached  Lakeview, Oregon in 1912, the length of the narrow gauge railroad was 241 miles. Over the half that mileage, 124 miles was in Lassen County. Over the railroad’s troubled existence, it operated in Lassen for 43 years.*. Translation the railroad operated in Lassen County longer than any other jurisdiction. While, Sierra County had the shortest trackage within its territory, the NCO’s presence in that county was 35 years, far greater than Modoc County of 21 years.. Enough said.

Tim

*I arbitrarily use 1927 as the end date of NCO, since that is when the line was converted to standard gauge.

History, News

Today’s Post Sponsored By

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Susan Arnold and Anna Hall
Susan Roop Arnold and Anna Hall at Constantia,–Philip S. Hall

It is after all Tuesday. and to boot it is April Fool’s Day. It just happens to be Lassen County’s birthday (1864). On the topic of birthdays, my good friend, the late  Philip Hall, was born on this day in 1909 at Constantia. I guess I should mention, it was Robert Amesbury birth date, who took an active role in the local history circles in the 1960s.

As to sponsorships, there is none, but  I just wanted to express my gratitude to those that subscribe because they are the true sponsors. ,Just may be, and that is a big may be, with that thought in mind,  it will prompt a few of the  many readers, who take this site  for granted, to subscribe, after all it is a bargain at five dollars a month. Surprise me! Since there are only 92 paid subscribers, it would be wonderful to break the 100 barrier, after ten years!

By the way, starting on April 15, I have scheduled  at least seven weekly Tuesday Tidbit,s something to look forward to. Enjoy the rest of  your day,

Tim

History

Herlong’s FM Switcher Locomotives

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One of three FM locomotives at Sierra Army Depot, 1976-Courtesy of David Lustig, the photographer, published inTrains magazine in October 2024 and David Martin who copied the article and sent it to me.

Note: This is work in progress. It is hoped that when this is posted, some one may come forward with additional information.

The Fairbanks Morse Switcher Locomotives were a rare breed. There were only 336 manufactured between 1950-1961. The Sierra Army Depot, at Herlong, had three. In 1976, the Sierra base railroad operated five days week from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The main purposes were to shuffle cars arriving from the Western Pacific which could range anywhere from two to ninety. I do not know when the depot acquired these locomotives, nor when  they were discontinued by the depot..

The No. 1855, as seen above is now at the Nevada State Railroad Museum at Boulder City, Nevada. The No. 1857, is part of the collection of the Western Pacific Railroad Museum at nearby Portola, California.

The FM Switcher 1855 now at Nevada State Railroad Museum, Boulder City, Nevada, May 2013. Photograph by David Martin

Hopefully, with this article will flush out other information.

Tim

 

History

Susanville Elk’s Lodge Original Floor Plan

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Main floor plan sketch by Frances Swain

It is official that iconic Susanville Elk’s Lodge is up for sale. If the new owner wants to convert it a residence, that it once was, I do have some information on the matter. In 1908, J. Henry & Annie Swain purchased the building and they moved their family there. It needed a lot of work, since a portion of it was never finished. Improvements were made to the six bedroom house, that would featured not one, but two bathrooms which was unheard at the time.

Top floor sketch by Frances Swain

For years, I corresponded with Frances Swain who grew up in the house. She provided me with sketches of the layout and that I thought some may be interested in.

Tim

History

Big Valley Odd Fellows Turns 50

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The Odd Fellows Hall, Bieber

On September 27, 1879 the Big Valley Lodge No. 286 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was instituted. It should be noted that in the summer a handful of Odd Fellows under the direction of Clinton “Doc” Philliber constructed the two-story hall in Bieber. It was completed on August 1, 1879.  On August 16, 1879, the Odd Fellows, even though not officially organized leased the first floor to the Brownell Brothers-Don Carlos, DeWitt and Duane-who opened a general merchandise store on the premise.

On Saturday, September 28, 1929, the Bieber Lodge celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in style. It was a truly community event. At noon there were was a picnic and reception. In the evening the lodge was packed to capacity by resident and visiting members. There was a special guest of honor-D.R. Brownell from Umatilla, Oregon. Brownell who was the only living charter member and just so happened the lodge’s first noble grand. That evening he presided over the meeting.

Tim

 

History

Susanville’s Methodist Church

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Methodist Church, Susanville, circa 1895-Courtesy of Meriam Library, California State University ,Chico

This photograph I came across in the Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico. It was mislabeled as a Catholic Church. I informed them that it was not, that it was the Methodist Church. Lo and behold to my amazement they corrected it. Most institutions and professionals just ignore my input, especially archeologist because they can get away with a lot of atrocities since their work is hidden from public view. Oh well, so much for my editorial.

The original Methodist Church was located on the corner of Cottage and Lassen Streets, where the present church stands today. In the fall of 1875 the Reverend Warren Nims announced his intention to build a church in the following spring. Work on the structure was sporadic. On June 23, 1877, the Lassen Advocate reported: “The bell is already hung in the tower of the new M.E. Church. It is a real tony bell, its reverberations are heard for miles around. Our town is gradually taking on city airs.”  Work was rushed to completion and it was dedicated in September 1877. On June 6, 1900 three blocks of Susanville’s business district was destroyed by fire, including the Methodist Church.

Tim

 

 

History

A Doyle Winery?

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Doyle, 1921. Courtesy of Lola L. Tanner

In the spring of 1914, Lassen County Deputy Horticural Commissioner, L.W. Boggs, paid the community of Doyle a visit. George Thompson had planted 1,000 grape vines the previous year. Thompson informed Boggs that he intended to plant 4,000 grape vines for 1914. His neighbors were interested in doing the same. In addition to Thompson’s visit Boggs complimented the citizens of Doyle for grading the town’s streets and planting shade trees along them.

The following year the Sunnyside District near Janesville  was promoted as an excellent wine producing region. There were no takers. In the meantime, Thompson’s grape vines did not work out. However, Ben Gibson of Litchfield was successful in growing commercial Concord grapes and more notably watermelons.

Tim

History

Is Susanville Different?

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Main Street, Susanville, October 1924—Boyd Benham/Connie Boomer

This anonymous piece appeared in the Lassen Advocate in 1924. I think it is  timeless.  What do you think?

“Is Susanville Different.” – When it comes to some needed civic improvement we often hear the expression ‘our town is different, it can’t be done.’ Then someone ventures that ‘there will be some funerals here before we can get this and that done.’

“Now the truth of the matter is, our town is no different from any other, unless, indeed, it is after all better than most towns. Human nature is same everywhere, and we are all human. What we should remember is this; our town is not different , because other towns have the same troubles as we do in bringing public opinion to the. point of civic action. Individual minds move faster than the entire body of people. Opinions differ even as to methods granting that it is mutually agreed as to the necessity for certain developments. After all, the campaign is wholesome. Time usually brings about the happy medium between conservative backwardness and on the other hand  the headlong optimism on the other. Susanville will have all she needs-better streets, tree plantings, parks, playgrounds, better traffic regulations and other other community aspirations fulfilled if we will all buckle on the armor of civic righteousness  and quit trying to excuse ourselves with word on thought that ‘our town is different, it can’t be done.’

“And as to necessity for a few funerals-we can not agree with that, neither can the so common expression be other than deplored. Instead of a few funerals, we would suggest a few births of civic interest on the part of a greater number of people who have so long stood on the side lines and watched a few of the community boosters carry all the load.”

Tim

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