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Category Archives: News
Butte Lake/Cinder Cone, Lassen Park
It is Christmas Eve, and what better way to take a moment to relax with this picturesque postcard of Butte Lake. The lake situated in the northeast corner of Lassen Volcanic National Park and is accessible from Highway 44 with a turn off to a dirt road, of about six miles. Because it is off the beaten path, there are no crowds and it does not feel like you are in a national park. If you never been there, or has it been a long time since you last visited, you might want to include in next summer’s list of places to go and see.
Tim
The Winter Solstice
Today brings a smile to my face, for it marks at least one turning point of the winter season, even though it takes a few weeks to actually see it progress. One of the things I dread about winter are the short daylight hours and now knowing that the pendulum will start working its way to bring more daylight. Actually, for those serious folks, on December 15, the sunset locally starts to get later, by a minute on that date. However, the sunrise keeps getting later, and does not reverse the trend until January 9.
Around these parts, historically the coldest and snowiest months are just ahead in January and February. Nearly all the record breaking snowfalls occur in mid-January. For those interested in forthcoming storms and especially the snow conditions I recommend The Tahoe Daily Snow.
Tim
Tuesday Tidbit – Diamond Mountain, 1960
Susanville Helipad Update
This is will be ongoing search for 2026. No documented information has surfaced so far. Individuals consulted have sketchy recollection or peripheral knowledge. Who knows may be some one will share this post to a person that could enlighten us.
Tim
Odometer Day
Another year, another milestone. For those that has just tuned in, it was on this date, I made my debut at Susanville’s Riverside Hospital. I am grateful, that my lifespan is longer than the Riverside that was built in 1921 and torn down in 1969. As tradition continues, this is my day off.
Tim
2026 Calendars
Back by a somewhat popular demand are the calendars. As usual there are always an interesting mix historic photographs. Among those featured are Susanville Logging, 1951; Baxter Creek Siphon, 1936; Hilke Piper, 1931; Lassen Monument, 1959; Cinder Cone, 1939 to name a few.
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.
St. Francis Hotel – A Year Later
It was a year ago today, that Susanville’s St. Francis Hotel went up in flames. It was an arson fire, and suspect, Tahne Willow Orr was later arrested. Orr would later enter a guilty plea and on July 22, 2025 she was sentenced to eight years in prison.
Cleanup of the burned out ruins was another matter. The City of Susanville would have to go through the abatement process to get job done as the owner was difficult. In July, Lassen County Superior Court appointed Dan Collins as Receiver to oversee the clean up that was estimated at $496,146.50.
The actual work on cleaning up the site began in late September and it is almost complete. It is strange to see the site as a vacant lot. When I have an opportunity I will take a photograph to share with the out of area readers.
Tim
Tuesday Tidbit-A Calendar Reject
This 1916 Susanville postcard was one of many scenes after a snowstorm dumped four feet of snow on the community. At first, I thought it was calendar material. The more I examined it, I decided to a replace with 1932 Road to Mineral scene.
Due to unforeseen circumstances the 2026 calendars are a bit late this year, but I hope have them available in early November.
Tim
Pit River Falls – Then & Now
Personally, I think it is interesting to do a comparison of then and now scenes, to see what changes have occurred. I have a most wonderful volunteer who has been scanning my old negatives. Earlier this year, she was in the Fall River country and she took photograph from approximately where the one I had published a few years ago of the Pit River Falls. Of course in that post I noted that this original route to leave Fall River Mills to head west to the Sacramento Valley, In 1930, the route was abandoned when Highway 299 was constructed.
Tim