Before there was a Hotel Mt. Lassen there was the Hotel Lassen. It was originally known as the Johnston House. For a time, it was the town’s foremost hotel. On November 1, 1912, a change of ownership and name change occurred when long time Susanville resident Henry C. Dobyns acquired the property. At that time, he changed the name to Hotel Lassen. After he passed away in 1916, his son Charles took over the operation. The hotel was destroyed by fire in 1919.

Dobyns purchased the hotel from Thomas H. Long. In 1914, Long had a two-story stone building constructed as the Star Hotel at the corner of Main and North Gay Streets—only a half block away from his former establishment. For many years that structure was known as the “Telephone building” since the local telephone company was located there for many years.

Tim

Yesterday’s post was about the early origins of the St. Francis Hotel. Some one wanted to know about the west addition. Here is that information below, as well as what the building originally looked like for comparison.

During the 1920s, Susanville’s population nearly tripled. Hotel accommodations were scarce, especially after the Emerson Hotel was destroyed in a 1915. In August 1925, the St. Francis Hotel announced its intention to construct a three-story addition. While it added only an additional nine rooms, it allowed for the lobby to be enlarged, as well as the restaurant facilities. The $25,000 project was constructed by the firm Woodward & Grebe, It should be noted that noted Nevada architect, Frederick deLonghamps designed the original hotel, as well as the addition.

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Unfortunately, this historic hotel has been shuttered for a number of years. Who knows what its future fate may be. This about the origins of the hotel.

In 1907, Franceska Murrer Neuhaus, with her husband, Ben, retired from their Willow Creek Valley ranch and moved to Susanville. Not to be idle, she  kept busy investing in several commercial enterprises. In 1913, flush with money from the sale of the ranch, to her son, Edward Murrer, she had one more venture to undertake.  At this time, she hired Nevada architect Frederick deLongchamps to design a hotel at corner of Main and Union Streets.* She named her new enterprise the St. Francis Hotel.  Franceska was well versed in the innkeeping business. For years, the Neuhaus home in Willow Creek was well known for its hospitality to accommodate travelers. Her daughter, Rose Bagin, operated hotels at Hayden Hill and Susanville. Rose’s home in Susanville happened to be conveniently located behind the St. Francis, and her elaborate flower garden complimented the hotel. When the St. Francis opened its doors in 1914, Franceska’s son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Flora Neuhaus managed it.

*deLongchamps first Susanville building was the Lassen County Jail completed in 1911.

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In 1884, the Lassen County Board of Supervisors created the Susanville Fire District—it had authority to levy tax assessment for fire protection.  In the course of time, the district needed a home to not only store its various equipment—hose cart and hoses—but a place to meet and for the volunteers to train. In the fall of 1891 the district advertised for proposals for a fire hall and received three bids. On November 19, 1891, the district accepted James P. Keener’s offer of a lot and to build a hall on North Lassen Street. To adorn the fire hall, Keener constructed a 50-foot-bell tower. It was now the town’s tallest landmark. Keener specifically constructed it that way, so when the bell was rung it could be heard throughout the town.

In 1900, when the City of Susanville incorporated, it became the town’s combination city/fire hall. It is rather ironic the building was destroyed by fire in 1921. On a final note, I have never been able to locate a good photograph of the building.

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