There were a lot variables, some stage routes had a short life span. For example, there were several different routes to Surprise Valley from the Susanvile. Time would be a factor when one route was feasible over another.

Time could also be a factor how a stage stop evolved or just went by the wayside. Case in the point was the Antelope Station, located Long Valley across the county line in Sierra.  It was established in the mid-1860s by Jonathon  C. Roberts. In 1873, Roberts sold to David F. Evans and for many years it was known as the Evans Ranch. In 1882, when the Nevada-California-Oregon (NCO) constructed its railroad there, they established a station named Oneida, for the Sierra County Township of Oneida. On June 6, 1889, a post office was established there named Purdy—for Solomon Purdy who came to Sierra County in 1852, from Oneida, New York and eventually sold to David F. Evans. In 1891, the Purdy Post Office was moved to a site known today as Bordertown. Travelers of U.S. Highway 395 between 1931 and 1976 will know the location of the old Antelope Station as the first site of the California Agricultural Inspection “Bug” Station.

Tim

In the late spring of 1916, two men, Clarence Williams and Dan McClane set off on horseback on a prospecting trip. It does not appear on the face that remarkable, until you examine the ages of two men–Williams, 36 and McClane 101. That is correct a hundred year old man prospecting on horseback. The duo left the Williams Ranch in Willow Creek Valley, now owned by Five Dot and first ventured to look at the abandoned mines of adjacent Round Valley. From there they went all the way to the top of Green’s Peak looking for the fabled “Grabel’s hole.” The Grabel was a rich lode, that falls into the category of the lost mine tales.  They then ventured down to Rongstock Canyon, back up and over to Papoose Meadows and numerous crooks and crannies along the way. Then back over Gallatin Peak and back to Willow Creek Valley. In all, Williams estimated they traveled nearly forty miles that day. McClane it should be noted came to Lassen County in 1872, where he mined there for over forty years.

McClane’s advice for longevity, “Don’t worry about anything, don’t think about getting old, eat plenty of food, but not too much, take regular sleep four times a week and work like the devil at all times.” McClane died at the age of 105 in 1920.

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When the Lucerne School District was established in 1916, it was a turning point of the future of small rural school districts in Lassen County. The homestead era was in its waning stage, coupled with good roads and the automobile were principal reasons of shift in education. This was a small district, territory wise, sandwiched in between Long Valley to the south and Bird Flat to the north.It should be noted that a school house was built three miles north of Doyle. In 1925, the school was closed due to lack of students.  At that time the Board of Supervisors authorized the sale of the building—asking price $50. But no buyers came forward. The school house was destroyed in a August 1926 forest fire that also destroyed the ranches of Arent, Downing and Wagner.

Tim

One business endeavor that was slow to take off was creameries. First there was a shortage of skilled laborers to operate one, It was also hampered by a lack of dairy cows. This did not deter the Wemple brothers of Milford to establish the Lakeshore Creamery. A substantial amount money was invested in the buildings and machinery. One family member stated that the brothers’ father, Joseph C. Wemple (1830-1921) that  subsidized it. This was a short lived operation that operated from 1903-04. As David Wemple stated about the venture was too many bosses between the brothers and no one to do the work.

Tim

Since it is an Election Day, I thought some might be interested Peter Gerig’s Application to Serve as Election Officer. Pete was first elected as a Lassen County Board of Supervisor in 1920. He ran every four years through 1944. He retired at the end of his term in 1948.

Tim

Pearson Massacre was conflict between the Pearson family and the Paiutes. In occurred in 1868, to the southeast of Amedee Hot Springs. You can read more about it here.

It was a mystery to me why the  site appeared on old maps. In normal instances there would be a sign or marker indicating such. Recently, Dan Dragan wrote: “I graduated from Herlong High School in 1965. I remember riding my Honda Super Cub along the east side of Honey Lake toward the hot springs and the old site of Amadee. I came across an old, battered sign that, as I recall said “site of Pearson Indian Massacre.” I wonder if it is still there.” After numerous searches I can safely say that it is no longer there.

In 1985, Clara Osborne wrote to me that about an old monument on her property indicating the Pearson Massacre.  Her property was located to the west of Stacy. She did grant me permission to enter her property to locate the same, but alas I never did. It just goes to show you never what surfaces.

Tim

In 1864, Lyman Collins Stiles (1832-1905) arrived in the Honey Lake Valley and became a cattle rancher. Raising cattle was lucrative as there was short supply and high demand. Life was good until the devastating winter of 1873-74. Due to heavy snows, sub-zero temperatures for long periods, it was estimated that over 75% of the livestock in the region perished.  Stiles was one of those ranchers who was hit hard.

In 1875, Stiles sold his ranch and moved to Susanville and changed his occupation to capitalist. While some ranchers were left destitute, Stiles had penchant of conserving his money in good times, to carry him through the not so good times. One must note, there were no banks in the region. Stiles and handful local individual stepped in to remedy this need. In turn, they would loan money to individuals and for collateral received a mortgage to real property. It would be a very lucrative move and since he had knowledge of cattle ranching turned out to be bonus.

In 1905, Lyman Stiles passed away and his widow, Anna followed in her husband’s footsteps and carried on with the financial business.  She did this for another decade , but for the most part it consisted of leasing and or selling of properties. It was the Gold Run property of 300 acres that remained in the Stiles ownership for an unusually long time. Lyman had purchased it in 1904 for $6,000, from Margaret Blaisdell, who had inherited it.  Lyman, and then Anna leased at a rate of $500 per year. In one of her last transactions, on March 1, 1921, she sold the Gold Run property to Robert Satica for $12,000.

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The construction of houses on the west side of 100 block of North Roop Street did not begin until a half century after the town’s founder, Isaac Roop located at Susanvile. One of the problems that hampered this, was the block had not been subdivided into lots. In the early 1900s that change occurred.

On November 26, 1903, the Lassen Advocate reported:  “Carpenters  have begun work on the Bunnell residence on Roop Street. From the appearance of the ground plan the building will be decidedly attractive one.” The owner, Abel Bunnell (1844-1916), was well known through region and was a on and off resident of Big Meadows, now Lake Almanor. It should be noted that in 1907, his brother L.W. Bunnell had the house built kitty-corner from them.

Abel’s home  was passed down to his daughter and son-in-law, Georgia and Bert Jensen. At about noon, on Saturday, June 21, 1928, the Jensen’s nearly lost their house to fire. Bert, and his two sons, Jud and Abe, were away working at the family ranch, a few miles  east of town. Fortunately, neighbors and onlookers began hauling out the furniture while waiting for the fire department to arrive. It was estimated the fire caused $5,000 worth of damage.

It should be noted that Bert & Georgia divorced. Georgia kept her family home, and converted it to three apartments. She resided there for nearly fifty years.

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P.S. In honor of the late Noreen Frieling, a delightful nurse practioneer,  whose birthday is today, I share the comedy errors of my recent medical treatment. First,I was transported to Banner Lassen for knee injury. Banner Lassen had me transported to Reno at Renown for a MRI for my head. Renown then  treated me for a hand injury and then Renown was to transport me  Hearthstone, but driver got lost and tried to drop me off at the wrong facility. A thirty minute drive turned about  to be a  ninety-minute joy ride! I have not  a bill for that excursion.