In 1883, John Calvin York purchased the 440 acre Madeline ranch and stage-stop in Grasshopper. Over the years it simply became known as Yorks.
Very briefly, it became known as Hazel, when the family petitioned to have a post office established there. It was granted on May 14, 1895, but postal officials revoked it on July 9, 1895. The post-office was named for York’s latest addition to the family, his granddaughter, Hazel Mae York born there on February 14, 1895.
The dismantling of Fruit Growers railroad logging Camp10 near Pine Creek was a slow process. It was problematic too. Camp 10 was situated on lands owned by Fruit Growers, but Lassen National Forest, too. As Fruit Growers was winding down its long term Pinc Creek Unit timber sale, there was a provision of the Hazard Reduction Plan. Even though Camp 10 was shuttered at the end of the 1952 logging season, and 1953 it was still intact. Fruit Growers sold the majority of cabins that eventually ended up in Susanville as people used them for storage and rentals.
It was not until the spring of 1954 that Fruit Growers and the forest service reached an agreement as to the demolition of Camp 10. In August Fruit Growers burned all the existing structures but the cookhouse was excluded. According to Fruit Growers’ archives the cookhouse was sold for $500, but the records failed to disclose the buyer.
Tim
On the 100 block of Susanville’s South Lassen Street are two buildings well over a century old that are distinctive of each other, but had common owner, George McDow.
In 1911, McDow next to his residence had an office constructed to house the Lassen Abstract Company, the first land title office in Lassen County. Lassen Abstract operated for nearly fifty years, whose owners at the end where Art Anderson and George Pancera with Electa Lazard who managed the operations.
In 1935 Carlos Lucero purchased the McDow residence and remodeled it into a mortuary which is still used as such, though it has undergone numerous ownerships.
Tim
On April 16 1921, there was dedication ceremony for Fruit Growers Supply Company mill. While the sawmill was placed into operation everything at least from the public perspective was full steam ahead. However, a facility that initially hired 1500 men to operate it would require a lot of work for every component to function. Case in point, and the reason for the mill existence was the box factory not placed interoperation until earlyJune., but was not fully at capacity until September. On brighter note, on June 1, 1921 shipped its first railroad car of lumber. The accounting department must have been pleased that with several million dollars expedpenditures to acquire the timber and built the mll, revenue was finally generated.
Tim
When I transcribed this newspaper article in the early 1980s. there was one item just went over my head. More on that at the end of the post.
Lassen Advocate – June3, 1921 – Large cougar prowling in neighborhood of Camp A. A large cougar has been seen several times recently in the neighborhood of Camp A of the Frut Growers Supply Company. The animal has been trying to get at the pigs at the camp and killed several deer. Ray Ashton went out Tuesday with a view of taking shot of the cougar but the heavy rain spoiled his chances and he returned without seeing the big cat.”
Logging camp food was legendary. Subpar food could break logging camp operations. Yet, Fruit Growers were raising pigs at a logging camp to feed their workers was news to me. After all there were refrigerated rail cars to transport perishable food items.
Tim
In 1916, when the Lassen County Courthouse and the County Hospital was under construction, the Board of Supervisors were faced with a new challenge-how to furnish them. They were concerned that every elected official to occupy the new building would run amuck and end up with a hodgepodge of furniture and equipment. Cost was an issue too,. The solution to create a new county position- a purchasing agent. It did not go over well, but the board stood by their controversial decision.
Elmer F. Koken (1871-1968) held the position for decades. During the financial depression of the 1930s, critics wanted the position eliminated as a cost cutting measure. The board said no. The board stated the purchasing agent scrutinized every purchase and saved the county money. Mark Totten served as the last purchasing agent. In the late 1980s, the position was abolished with the creation of a County Administrative Office who assumed that role along many other functions.
Tim
P..S. It is August 1. In Susanville, it is historically the hottest week of the year..
In 1897, California approved legislation for the formation of public irrigation districts. It was fairly simple two-step process. The organizers first had get approval of the county board of supervisors. When that was accomplished, the California State Engineer’s Office would review the proposal whether the water source was sufficient and that the project was financially feasible.
In January 1918, W.G. Wilds, A.L. Lincoln, W.D. Grivel, F,M. Dinsmore, H.O. Edwards, Carl Wirth, Peter Anderson, Joseph Gronoski, James Godman, Bruno Wirth and W.H. Evans all of Ravendale petitioned the Lassen County Board of Supervisors for the formation of the Painter Creek Irrigation District. Painter Creek & Flat is a remote location east of Madeline Plains.
On March 4, 1918 the Lassen County Board of Supersviors approved the formation of the Painter Creek Irrigation District. The County Clerk was instructed to notify the California State Engineers Office who had the final say. No doubt that office must have bewildered by the proposal. This agency denied the proposed irrigation district.
Tim
Drakesbad, to those not familiar, is a small resort in Lassen Volcanic National Park. The Alex Sifford family owned it from 1900 to1959 when it was sold to the park. It was originally known at Drakes Springs for the founder E.R. Drake.
At the end of 1913 season, Alex Sifford was at a crossroad with the resort, Sifford’s road and resort improvements resulted in more business, though there was lot more needed. Sifford consulted with Susanville banker, Jules Alexander as to what do do. Alexander and Sifford formed the Drakes Spring Company to sell stock to raise capital. They hired Juan Brambilia to manage Drakes, and to relieve some of the burden for Sifford.
For marketing purposes it was decided to rename Drake’s Springs. It was Rae Alexander, wife Jules, and a shareholder of Drakes, who came up with a new name. It was the general consenus to retain the Drake name. Mrs. Alexander’s parents, (David and Fannie Knoch) were from Germany and the German word for spa and baths is bad. In June 1914 the announcement was made that the new resort would be known as Drakesbad.
David Martin sent this postcard of an unknown lake. The photographer Engel who was in the Westwood area in 1918/1919. Actually, Engel is one of those photographers that I have had a difficult time locating information. On the other hand he did capture such unique scenes of region including an early day photogtaph of Homer Lake and the Westwood Depot.
If anyone can shed some light as to the lake or the photographer it would be truly appreciated.
Tim
On October 1, 1935 Maria Ramos signed a lease for a home in Old Town (Westwood) with the Red River Lumber Company. The rent payment would be deducted from her pay check. One could not rent in Westwood without being a Red River employee.
For those not familiar with Old Town, it is now referred to as a Pine Town. In an essence it is the original town of Westwood, while the latter was still under construction on the other side of the millpond.
Tim