This 144 page cook book was released in November 1927. While I possess a copy, I have not seen another copy. Today, while checking things on Ebay, some one is South Carolina has a copy for sale. Asking price $540.00.
Tim
Category Archives: News
Modoc County at 150
On February 17, 1874 the County of Modoc was created from the eastern section of Siskiyou County. It should be noted that in 1864, Lassen County laid claim to Surprise Valley, that is a story for another time.
On Saturday, July 6, is Fandango Days in Alturas, and they plan on celebrating Modoc County’s 150th birthday. I was delighted to hear this years’ Grand Marshall is Maxine Madison. Maxine and I go way back, and I first met her, she was working as Superior Court Clerk. When Iris Turner retired Modoc County Clerk, Maxine ran for that office and won! There was a time when I made numerous research trips to Modoc, and most of that time was spent in the Modoc County Clerk’s Office. Of course, Maxine and I had many an entertaining discussions whether it was the board of supervisors, elections or the courts. So congratulations to Maxine and Modoc County.
Tim
FGS Commissary
Lassen County Rainbow Family Gathering, 1984
The big news locally is the Rainbow Family Gathering the 4th of July week just north of Antelope Lake. As they usually do, they select rural locations where by their shear numbers overwhelm local law enforcement etc. The easiest way to access the encampment is via Janesville Grade. What happens remain to be seen.
In 1984, the Rainbow Gathering occurred at Camp One Spring on the Modoc National Forest and near the Lassen-Modoc county border, not far from Blue Lake. This was their 16th annual gathering. It was estimated that between 22,000 to 28,000 Rainbows were in attendance–more than the population of Lassen County at that time. That gathering was marred by a horrible event in which Anne Figueroa of Oakland, “freaked out” and threw her baby into a campfire.
Currently, the Rainbow Gatherings are not as large as in the 1980s, and estimates range between 7,000 to 10,000 this coming week.
Tim
Onward Ho!
This is not your typical post. Some may recall back in March 2023, I had some what of a technological meltdown. One of the major obstacles was with the old computer, I was able scan photographs, but not able electronically transfer them to this site. Thus, I limped along, putting scans on a thumb drive, going to the local library, to use their public computers to upload said photographs. Through the kind generosity a person provided me with an up-to-date computer. I did need to do some ancillary updates and now I am firing on all four cylinders. While for you the reader, this all behind scene news, yet it now frees up time for me to do research on future posts without obstacles. A special thanks goes out to those wonderful people who made it all happen.
Tim
The Benjamin Pollard Story
In February I received a request from Mark Hakvoort of Hollands Kroon, in the Netherlands. Their goal is to remember the
aircraft and crews perished there during World War II. You can learn more from their website here
Hakvoort wrote: “We are searching for the grave of the USAAF pilot and his family at the Lassen Cemetery. B.A. Pollard was killed in action on 9 April 1944 in the Wadden Sea. His aircraft crashed / ditched in the cold sea water. The body of Pollard was washed ashore near the village of Hippolytischoef. His plane was the P-51B Mustang code 43-6761 C3-R. In the war he was buried at the “Zandburen Cemetery”. After the war his body was moved to the US assembly cemetery in Margraten. And later again moved back to the USA and re-buried at the Lassen Cemetery in Susanville.”
Benjamin Pollard was one of eight children born to Silas and Frances Pollard. The family appears to moved around a lot and Benjamin graduated from high school at Beesville, Texas. By 1941 the family had located in Lassen County. Their daughter, Thelma graduated from Lassen Union High School in 1942. When Silas Pollard received notification of his son’s death in August 1944, the family was residing at Herlong. Silas passed away in 1955 in Susanville and the family purchased several plots at the Lassen Cemetery near the VFW Section. Buried there are Silas, Frances, their son Martin and daughter Thelma. One family member, Arabelle Lauren resided in Susanville for a number of years. If anyone has information about the family, Mark and I would like to hear from you. The foundation plans to hold a memorial for Benjamin Pollard in October.
Tim
Tuesday Tibbit—Susanville Symphonietta Orchestra
Lately, in the news is the Susanville Symphony’s proposal before the City about the acquisition of Sierra Theater for a Performing Arts Center. While it is an ambitious undertaking, there are a few caveats—can it sustain itself? After all, anyone who has been involved community organizations, they experience peaks and valleys, and in some instances fold, for many reasons. A common thread is that it is usually a handful of dedicated people that keeps an organization alive.
Anyhow, while the Susanville Symphony has been around for awhile, it was not the first of its kind locally. In the 1930s it was the Susanville Symphonietta Orchestra. During the 1960s and 1970s it was the Susanville Community Concert series.
Tim
Go Exploring!
This happens to be one of a few annual posts that I repeat. I enjoy this interesting editorial from the Lassen Advocate of June 21, 1929. Take the paper’s advice and go exploring, no matter where you reside.
Know Your Country
If you were wondering what to do with your weekends this summer, have you ever given any thought to the fact that you don’t know your own county and the wonderful lake and mountain country immediately contiguous.
Within a few hours of Susanville there are numerous beautiful lakes as well as some beautiful streams and excellent camping spots.
How many have been to Drakesbad and to the top of Mount Lassen? How many have been to the ice caves near Eagle Lake and Wilson Lake?
There are many trips that can be taken from Susanville in the morning returning the same evening and traversing in the meantime a lot of new country that you have never seen before. Beauty spots near a mountain stream with clear sparkingly water are numerous where one may have their picnic lunch.
Try and see your own neck of the woods this summer. You will find many a pleasant day in store for you.
Tim
2025 Calendar Photograph Reject
On my New Year’s Eve post, I made the commitment for a 2025 Calendar. Of course, photograph selections are challenging, especially since I like the portrait style, Those photographs are more difficult to locate. Without further adieu . . .there are some photographs that appear promising, but that eventually go into the reject pile. Today’s featured photograph is one of them. It is an interesting concept of an aerial view of Susanville with Lassen Peak in the background. The problem is that its lack clarity, thus would not reproduce well.
By the way, if you have a photograph you want to submit, please contact me. I also accept current color photographs for the cover. See Dow Wells below.
Tim
Tuesday Tidbit-Historic Homes For Sale
Recently, three historic homes in Susanville are now on the market. There is the original McGowan residence on South Roop Street, picture above. It was built in 1924, for the president of the Lassen Lumber & Box Company.
The Taylor residence on North Weatherlow Street, and subsequently owned Dr.C. Compton is now on the market. A short distance from that property is the original home of Thomas Hill built in 1913.
Tim