Sifting through old scans, I came across the above holiday greeting postcard of the Lassen County. While this photograph was scanned and uploaded to the website back in October 2015, for reasons unknown I never bothered to publish the same, until now.
How much longer when the old jail remains standing is anyone’s guess. After all the the roof has collapsed on the back half of the building.
Tim
Just a friendly reminder to buy your calendar, as inventory is low at this point. Margie’s Book Nook has ten, and I only have one available. This particular calendar features one of the most unique selection of historic photographs I have put together. As one person noted, “You really picked a nice variety of unknowns for us Lassen County amateur historians.”
Tim
Profiles: The Men and Women Who Have Made History in the Land of Lakes is the latest annual publication of the Shaw Library. If you are not familiar with these publications they are quality books in both content and production.
I have not had an opportunity to read my copy yet. There is a biography on Isaac Roop, as well as Sarah Winnemucca, Reub Long and a host of others. These are great books, and I highly recommend them.
Copies of “Profiles” can be purchased in Susanville at Margie’s Book Nook or by contacting the Shaw Historical Library by email at shawlib@oit.edu or by calling 541-885-1686.
Tim
Some people might find this of interest. Chico State has transferred its interest in the Eagle Lake Biological Field Station on the east shore of the lake to the Susanville Indian Rancheria. Not sure what the Rancheria’s intent is. In the past, according to Bureau of Land Management policy it must be used for educational purposes, whether this applies to the Rancheria, I do not know.. When I was on the Lassen College board, I had brought up that the college should look into it, but that went nowhere.
Tim
Back by a somewhat popular demand are the calendars, which I thought last year was to be the last. We will see what next year brings. This may be one of the most eclectic mix of historic scenes that I have ever assembled. Some of these are: Baxter Creek Siphon (1936), boating on Honey Lake (1905), Willow Creek Flume (1926) and the abandoned Devil’s Corral Bridge (1925).
One has three options to purchase calendars:
1) Locally, you can purchase them at Margie’s Book Nook.
2) You can purchase direct online by clicking here
3) You can also email me to place your order, and it will be sent with an invoice.
Important Notice: There are only 50 calendars available, and once sold out that is it.
Tim
Some technical difficulties with scanning transfers has re-appeared. Today’s scheduled feature was about Henry Dobyns renaming the Johnston House to the Hotel Lassen, at one time Susanville’s most significant hotel. The illustration that was scheduled to appear, is one of the scanning transfer issues. The article will appear at a future date.
In the meantime, I am busy at work on the 2024 Calendar, which will be late this year. Also, in queue, where some interesting topics addressed in the Ask Tim post. I am working on those, too, but it might be awhile before they appear.
Tim
P.S. As interest declines in calendars, as more people go digital, if you are interested just let me know. However, if you are a regular calendar type, no need to reply, because I have you taken care of. Thanks.
The Plumas Sun has reported that there is a revival of Portola’s Railroad Days, for those interested will occur this Sunday, October 29. If you have never been to the Western Pacific Railroad Museum at Portola, this provides a perfect opportunity—a two-fer as the museum normally shuts down for the winter months, but will be open, plus there will be plenty activities and vendors for the whole family. If I understood correctly the Western Pacific Railroad Museum will have special Pumpkin Patch Express train rides that day.
Tim
On a quarterly basis, I ask you the reader, if there is something you would like to learn more about or maybe its something you heard, but question its validity. So here is an opportunity to participate. I will do my best to answer any questions. It should be noted, it may take awhile for the answer to appear as a post. The primary reason, many of the daily posts are done nearly a month in advance. So by the time you read this I am already working on posts for the middle of November, or at least I should be. Whatever the case may be, I look forward to hearing from you. Of course, it should be noted that paid subscribers requests receive priority. In addition, you can always send a request at any time.
Tim
Some one wanted to know how I amassed a large collection of historical photographs. This started decades ago, long before scanners. Back in the day, to have quality reproductions made, involved a skilled photographer to make a copy negative and print. Then, after that was done, I returned the original back to whom I borrowed from. I make sure credit is due, and whatever photograph appears, that person’s name is provided.
There are occasions when no name appears. Some of these are photographs that I purchased. Many years ago, Murl Simmons of Susanville’s Eastmans Studios allowed me to examine thousands of negatives stored in the vault. Of course, I was like the proverbial kid in the candy store. Reality, I had limited funds. I would order some prints from time to time as funds would allow.
Then came the age of the internet and Ebay. On that particular website I have come across some interesting finds. One such as the original Masonic Lodge in Susanville. While way out of my price range of $90 I succumbed because it was a very rare photograph. Once purchased, I asked the seller about the photograph’s origin. He bought in a yard sale in San Francisco for twenty-five cents. Ouch!
Finally, my grandmother, Lola Murrer Tanner, was a good photographer. Alas, I only have portion of her collection. The rest sits in closet, because of a difficult family relative. A sad tale, since especially with the internet, they could be shared to many.
There is, of course, a hidden collection not tapped into. I have a large collection of over sized negatives some dating back to the 1920s. I do not have the capability or resources to scan them. A few individuals in the past have offered, but for reasons unknown never followed through.
And that’s my story.
Tim
