Today’s special Tuesday post is brought to you courtesy of the Lassen County Planning Commission. If you crave some entertainment and want to see some excitement, today’s Planning Commission meeting is your ticket. The show begins at 1:20 p.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial Building in Susanville. The hot topic is a proposed Dollar General store for the town of Doyle. Of course, I have a reserved seat, since I am Chairman of the Commission.
Tim
Locally, the $64,000 question has been what is going on with the excavation of the old Fruit Growers/Sierra Pacific millpond site adjacent to Riverside Drive. Some readers may recall that in the Spring of 2018 I wrote about the property being placed on the market by Smith Properties. The property falls under county jurisdiction. As it has been relayed the property is being prepared as a parcel split—a joint venture of Hat Creek Construction and Nobles Construction. However, certain procedures have not been followed. I will bring this matter up at Tuesday’s June 2, Lassen County Planning Commission meeting, since certain officials have not responded to my request.
In July 1925, Harry Riddell began construction of a home on the northeast corner of Main and Grand. The first item of business was a curved retaining wall. Instead of hiring a contractor, Riddell used day laborers to construct the house in various phases.
In August 1938 Steve and Helen Sargent, proprietors of the Grand Cafe purchased the Riddell home. After some minor remodeling the family moved in on September 1, 1938. The home still remains in the Sargent family.
While it is Tuesday, at least I am providing a historical photograph, plus some insights as to future posts. First, is the relationship between the communities of Adin and Hayden Hill. While some years back I wrote an introduction about Congressman John E. Raker, though I never did any follow up accounts about him, whether it be his role in the Lookout Lynchings or the establishment of Lassen Volcanic National Park. Of course there is the topic how government timberlands ended being owned by large lumber companies, and how years later the government reclaimed some of those lands. Plus, I still have to answer some inquiries that I have received, and while I may be a bit slow, I will get the job done.
Tim
In keeping with this week’s theme of Go Exploring, for some this might be easy and others not so. That latter group needs to get out more. I provide two hints—one of the structures was used by a federal agency—two, both buildings came from another location.
Some time last month the old Constantia store, bunkhouse and the original manager’s house were burned down. Not many details as to why. Thus, the carriage house is now the only remaining building left of Constantia.
Tim
Currently, I am in the midst of a putting together an uptown Susanville mobile home tour. These historic homes have been moved from their original location, one of which is the oldest residence in Susanville belonging to the town’s founder, Isaac Roop.
Initially, it will be a self guided tour. Hopefully, either in the summer or fall, I can lead a group. The benefit of the latter, is the questions people may have, and during the walk, other items of interest can be highlighted. Below is the Dr. J.S. Wren house on South Lassen Street prior to it being moved to Cornell Street. Seasoned residents may remember Wren’s daughter, Ramona Coffin.
This is one of my favorite annual topics to encourage readers to go out and explore your surroundings, no matter where you reside. For the lucky ones who reside in the Lassen region, there are so many interesting places to check out. With the daylight hours getting longer, with warmer temperatures, its time for you to start some planning. Personally, whenever an opportunity arises, I am out the door, no matter what time of year it is. Our own Green Grocerette, Anna Stewart and her husband, Rick, are always ready for an adventure, too.
Tomorrow, I will highlight one trip I did back in January, the aid of a walker that was not going to hinder me. Some readers are aware of this Plumas County landmark, but most may not be aware of a historical Susanville connection.
Note: When I composed this, was before the life’s disruptions. However, this provides you with an opportunity to think about nooks and crannies where ever you reside, but always put aside for another time.
Constantia, located about five miles south of Doyle is on the market according to Lands of America which has the listing. The property contains 3,700 acres—what they do not say is a part of that acreage is on The Island. The asking price is a mere $4.7 million.
While the listing described the ranch as “historic” many of the original buildings are gone. There are several buildings in Constantia proper that served as a Western Pacific Railroad stop, but more importantly served as housing/headquarters when the ranch was part of a much larger operation with ranches as far away as Smoke Creek, Nevada.
The carriage house built between 1898-1900, by then owner, Henry Butters who was the one christened the place as Constantia, is the only building at the original homesite. There was a small church on the premises, but it was moved to Doyle in 1994.
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 May, 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