This year will mark the 40th anniversary of the placement of this monument, located ten miles north of Susanville along Highway 139.    In past I have had posts about the the history of Jacks Valley, but this is a tale about how the monument came to be. By 1980, the fraternal organization known as E Clampus Vitus was having a influence among some rag-tag population of the Honey Lake Valley. They were an ambitious lot, and lo and behold began the process to form a chapter for Lassen-Modoc, which territory was under control of Las Plumas Del Oro, Chapter No. 8 somewhat headquartered in Quincy. To make a long story short, they succeeded with the formation of the Sagebrush Posse, a provisional step to become a full-fledged chapter to be known as the Never Sweats.

A major undertaking of the Sagebrush Posse was to recognize a historical landmark with a plaque/monument. The site selected was a cement water trough north of Susanville that was constructed in 1913 to aid travelers whether by horse or an automobile, especially those traveling from the north provided a respite after traversing the Antelope Grade.

It was a learning experience for the posse. Researching the history of the site revealed a rich, but hardly known history. With knowledge in hand, it was decided to register it through the State of California Point of Historical Interest program. It was an interesting hurdle, but accomplished and became the first Lassen County landmark registered. Next step the monument. Caltrans refused the proposed monument location in there right-of-way citing proposed plans for a four lane highway. This baffled the posse, after all this was in 1983!

Not to be undeterred, a strange loop hole was found. Adjacent to the trough was a four-acre plot that the highway dissected, that belonged to the Lassen-Modoc Joint Highway District No. 14. That district formed in 1929 was responsible for the construction of Highway139, which was finally completed in 1959.  To appease Caltrans, the posse needed to get permission from the special highway dormant district. Fortunately, one of few living board members of district, and long time Lassen County Board of Supervisor, Pete Gerig signed a letter of permission.

The moment of truth to construct the monument. When it was nearly complete it was time to install the brass plaque. Opps! It turns out the foundry made a typo and a new plaque had to be remade. When all was said and done a plaque dedication was held on July 9, 1983.

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Recently, I received this comment: “Reading this from Australia, doing family history. Thank you for remembering what went on in these places. Kindest regards Pauline”

This is a two-fold commentary. This is a prime example, and there are many more, why there is no paywall on this site. A UNR fishery biologist was impressed that on this site, was the only photograph he was able to find of High Rock Springs near the border of California and Nevada in eastern Honey Lake Valley. Another came from an elderly woman battling cancer, wanted to use a image of the Westwood Hospital where she was born, as her grandchildren urged her to write her memoirs.

This is where I want to thank you the subscribers that makes this all possible.

Tim

In the spring of 1922, with the anticipation of the completion of the Bly Tunnel brought Belfast back to the forefront. Captain C.A. Merrill one of the original instigators of the tapping of Eagle Lake spent twenty-five years on the project that in hopes one day it would be transformed into a major agricultural center. So nearly fifty years later, Charles Emerson and D.G. Beale planned to resurrect Merrill’s dream by acquiring 4,360 acres at Belfast from the B.F. Porter Estate. It was their intention to form a “colony” and sell 40-acre tracts. The two men formed the Belfast Land Company to orchestrate their goal. The major obstacle, of course, was financing. The Porter Estate wanted $100,000 for the property and the Belfast Land Company could not arrange financial backing. Thus, another land development project went bust.

Tim