The 1931 Fake Eruption of Lassen Peak. Courtesy of the Plumas County Museum
Well, folks I finally did it, and succumbed to my own “Pandora’s Box” so to speak. You the reader are the beneficiary. I am delving into all kinds of archival records that I have not inspected in years.
There is the tale of Long Valley resident, Cary Sturgess, a mathametician who was half-albino, straight down the middle—which there is supporting documentation. Some interesting material surfaced about Viola Roseberry’s Native American basket collection of the early 1900s and how much she was paid to display them at San Francisco’s 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. I hope that if I dig a bit deeper, to locate material of the Eagle Peak Ski Area near Doyle of the 1970s.
On March 1, 2015, I launched an ambitious program to do a daily blog seven days a week. I know crazy, seven days a week, 365 days a year. For the most part I have delivered, though there have been a few bumps in the road. In the back recesses of my mind, there were the goals to enthuse, educate and explore readers to expand their horizons.
Enthuse – One of the best examples to introduce people to region and get them excited is the annual Sunrise Summer Solstice Tour at Belfast. Attendees are enlightened and excited to learn more about the region.
Educate – Equally, important and this post contains an unusual words that begin with the letter e. To visit a site, but are not informed, is an injustice. Once a person is informed, it provides a whole new perspective.
Explore – Back in the 1990s, the Bureau of Land Management archaeologist and myself conducted prehistoric/historic tours. It was a popular venue. The current resource manager of the Eagle Lake Office of Bureau of Lonely Men informed me, he was enthusiastic about future endeavors, but it would be a solo endeavor on my part. The bottom line, was during those tours, it was the goal educate the participants and encourage them to do some exploration on their own, with an emphasis to respect and protect sites a person my visit.
There are numerous remnants scattered over a large territory of this failed million dollar enterprise. The first person to identify, will receive a 2020 Purdy’s Private Reserve Calendar.
Main entrance to the Susanville Cemetery, February 8, 2015, after the windstorm.
Today, marks the fourth anniversary of the launch of this website. It had a rocky start, when an extremely severe windstorm hit the region, knocking out the power. For some, the electricity was out for eight hours, for others nearly three days. In any case, since then, it has been an interesting learning curve for me.
Member Login has been the most frustrating feature, that has a mind of its own, and has not wanted to work. A perfect example occurred on September 1, 2015. That particular post, I had blocked from the public, so subscribers would have to login to view. Lo and behold, the post remained blocked, but the login feature did not work, so it was blocked from everyone. I set up the experiment a few weeks earlier, though when the day arrived I was in the hospital with a fractured hip, and was in Nevada hospitals long enough that I could have applied for residency! Anyhow, I have spent the last several weeks tinkering with it, to no avail.
Why the Member Login is important, in my opinion. It is the paid subscribers whose support helps maintain the site, and certain features should only be available to them. Once the Walking Guide Page is up, it will be a members only feature, thus to provide an incentive for non-subscribers to join. There are some historic films that I would like to make available, which again would subscribers only.
Then again, I could just scrap the Member Login, and just continue as is. Of course, I am open to any suggestions you might have.
Horse Lake Station, 1915. Courtesy of Nevada Historical Society
In 1996, the Union Pacific Railroad received permission to abandon an 85 mile segment of railroad from Wendel to Likely. Since then it has been converted into another “rails to trails.” It should be duly it was the NCO Railroad that initialy constructed the line and in the 1920s it was acquired by the Southern Pacific Railroad.
The Horse Lake Station later siding was established in the early 1900s by the NCO. It was so named after Horse Lake, located five miles to the west. An interesting footnote in its history. In 1913, the Shumway Post Office at Horse Lake was closed. In 1916, Horse Lake residents attempted to re-establish the post office and have a mail drop off at the NCO’s Horse Lake Siding. The postal authorities denied the request. They stated they did not need a mail drop off as there were only four permanent families residing in the area. In addition, it was cited, the NCO was an unreliable operation, with irregular train service, and since there was no attendant there, there was no way the mail could be protected. In 1961, the Southern Pacific abandoned the siding.
Foundation remains of the Horse Lake Siding, January 27, 2019. Courtesy of Anna Stewart
Camp A, Fruit Growers Supply Company, located just north of McCoy Flat Reservoir, 1921
There have been some interesting comments posted of late, so I take this opportunity to answer a few.
Seasoned residents may remember a row cabins near Cherry Terrace along Piute Creek, where Al & Joy Robbins is located. There was one large cabin, which was occupied by Dan Marmo. The smaller cabins, came from Fruit Growers Supply Company logging Camp 10, after it closed in 1952. Marmo rented out the cabins, some of those folks less fortunate than others. On occasion even a Lassen College student could be found there. There are still some of these old logging cabins located throughout Susanville.
One of the panels on the LMUD building, part of a forthcoming mural tour. The building depicted iwas the home of the Telephone Company . December 26, 2016
The Telephone Company building, is a reference I had not heard in years. However, it just so happens I am writing about it. The is the two-story stone building located on the northeast corner of Main and Gay Streets. It was built in 1914 and originally known as the Star Hotel. For a number of decades it housed Susanville’s first telephone company. When Safeway came to Susanville in 1928, it was housed there.
A sample map from Susanville Strolls. I might need some assistance to draft new ones.
First of all, I want to thank those for such wonderful feedback. Folks, I think we are not exploring Susanville’s neighborhoods, but all the wonderful regional trails and other kinds of self guided tours to be created. I am excited, and the possibilities are endless It will be my goal to create separate page for these self guided tours, so they will be easy to find. In addition, unlike print format, updates can be made, such if a walker sees something of interest, that could be included.
445 North Roop Street is the oldest “house” still standing and part of the red light district prior to the railroad. November 7, 2015
One route I have already plotted out mentally. Using the intersection of North Roop and North Streets as a starting point. It is interesting to note that the 200-300 blocks of North Roop contain a wide variety of architecture—bungalow, craftsman, Italianate, Queen Anne to post World War II residences, and a hodepodge in between. Continuing further down street, then making a turn onto Chestnut, overlooking what was once known as Vallejo Meadows. Thence from Chestnut, a right at Parkdale, which was created in 1947 and either to North or a detour to Maple Streets. This particular stroll is approximately one mile.
Roop Street Remains, September 3, 2018
Finally, those who want to join me while I do a preliminary runs, on any given route, let me know. My schedule is flexible, so I can accommodate.
Well, I think I am experiencing some January doldrums. This got me to thinking about a mid-1970s publication entitled Susanville Strolls published by the Monticola Club. The booklet contains eleven different neighborhood walks. Included is a map for each one, and an interesting narrative of what can be seen along the way. What I am tinkering with is doing an updated version and publish each one on this site, so anyone could do the self-guided tours at their leisure. Let me know, what you think to see if this would be a worthwhile endeavor to undertake.
Main Street, Chester, January 1, 1932. Courtesy of Margaret Purdy
Some how last year’s plans, even with good intent, got derailed. I have been diligently plotting a new strategy to correct that situation, along with a few surprises. The holiday season, especially towards the end, is a slow time, so I have been diligently working on Susanville Mural Tour when the warm weather and longer daylight hours arrive. As several folks have indicated a desire for a Smoke Creek tour, I am working on that strategy, too. Later this month, there will be a post about “Susanville Strolls” and I am contemplating to do an online updated self guided tour. In addition, I am working on a short Susan River tour from South Lassen Street to Hobo Camp since there is a lot history in that short corrider. So, stay tuned!
Well, I hoped everyone enjoyed the wide variety of posts for 2018. There is lots of interesting historical revelations in the works for 2019. This is one of my few down days. I tend to keep a low profile on this particular holiday, and stay home organizing my taxes, etc. While I do wonders on the tax preparation, in January I succumb to the Purdy Procrastination Syndrome and tax work languishes until almost the deadline.
So if you are out and about this evening, be careful on the roads.
