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.
California State Assemblywoman,Pauline Davis, with Lassen County Supervisor Jim McQueen behind her, att the groundbreaking ceremony of the California Correctional Center, 1960.
Tuesday Tidbits has always been sporadic. Having discovered an interesting a packet of color negatives of 1960 taken during the groundbreaking ceremony of the California Correctional Center. There were not photographs of formal ceremony itself, but when the crowds started to assemble. In addition, there were random scenes taken in Susanville, that I thought many would like to see them in the forthcoming Tuesdays.
A scene at the groundbreaking ceremony of the California Correctional Center
The current precipitation water year ended on September 30, and now begins a new year. According to California Water Watch Susanville received, or more precisely at the airport, which is Johnstonville recorded 19.07″ of rainfall. Accordingly it is 116% of average and the average being 16.38.” However, if one resides at the base of Diamond Mountain or even in Susanville proper the precipitation totals will be greater.
Construction of the $20,000 Masonic Hal in 1893-Philip S. Hall
Today, is World Gratitude Day and I grateful for so many things. Of course, there have been so many people that have enriched my life while researching and preserving this rich history.
While they are no longer with us, I want take this opportunity to thank a trio of people and who are intertwined–Eslie Cann, Philip Hall and R.B. “Doc” Tangeman.
Ramelli butter wrapper. Courtesy of Eslie Cann
Eslie was a part of the Ramelli family of Long and Sierra Valleys. When I first met her, she was working at the Nevada Historical Society. It should be noted, that I began my research at a very young age. Anyhow, whenever she spotted something whether it a newspaper article of the late1800s and or new photograph acquisition that pertained to the Lassen region she would send a copy to me.
Two Nevada Historical Society members, were Lassenites. Phil Hall, who was born at Constantia in 1909 and Doc Tangemen, a well known and respected veterinarian. It was through Elsie that I really got know these two fine men. Of course, things change. Eslie retired and moved to Long Valley, next to her daughter and son-in-law, Corinne and John Matley. In 1994, Phil moved to Forestville to be near his family. Doc from time to time would visit Phil, and upon his return to Susanville, Doc would deliver to me a manila envelope from Phil of historic photographs.
These folks were so precious, and I am forever grateful to them.
We have explored this once, read the history of Crazy Harry here. The gulch/drainage is an intermittent stream that feeds into the Susan River near Goumaz, west of Devils Corral One must turn off the main road to explore gulch which one encounters a meadow. I had not been there since June 2020, and I was concerned that this area might have been ravaged by the Hog Fire, that occurred in July 2020. Alas, my fears were laid to rest that the forest surrounding of meadow were untouched. Since my excursion there, August 20, it was dry as the photograph reveals, If you go in the spring you will be rewarded with a luscious green meadow.
600 Nevada Street, Susanville, circa 1911. Courtesy of Dick & Helen Harrison
If you have been the following news lately, this marks of the twentieth anniversary Hurricane Katrina that devastated New Orleans. The City owned a vacant building at the corner of North Roop and Nevada Streets. The structure built in 1895, was converted into apartments in 1941. The City purchased the property in the early 2000s, and offered the apartments to refugees from Hurricane Katrina. Those individuals would be the buildings last occupants.
In 2008, the building was placed on the City of Susanville and Lassen County historic landmark register. The city would spend the next several years as to what to do with the structure. In the spring of 2014, the city had the building demolished.
Recently, I came across a dozen 2019 CDs containing senior photographs from the Lassen High School Classes of 1907 through 2013. This was a by-product of the Yearbook Preservation Project by Charles “Chuck” Dickens and myself. I offer them on a first come, first serve basis. Though not mandatory, a five dollar donation would be appreciated to cover the mailing cost.
Riverside Hospital, Susanville, 1940 courtesy of Betty Barry Deal
Personally, this is a historic day for me. It was on this date, ten years ago, at Renown Hospital in Reno, Dr. Bray of Reno Orthopedic Clinic point blank said to me “You are going to die.” He abruptly left my room, and I never saw or heard from him again.
What happened. On the evening of August 15, I had shattered my right hip. An interesting tale to say the least. The next morning Dr. Bray was my surgeon. Twenty-four hours after surgery, he visited me, and was disgusted because I could not walk. It should be noted, that he hollowed out my femur and inserted and stainless steel rod, connecting to myknee. For the next three weeks I was not able to put any weight, per Reno Orthopedic doctor’s orders, on the injured leg.
Every quarter, for a year, I would have follow up appointment at Reno Orthopedic. Dr. Bray assigned an intern to me. The intern criticized me for walking with a limp. Fast forward several years later, it was revealed to me that during the hip surgery Dr. Bray performed, he shortened my leg by two inches, and never told me about it. Hence, that explains why I have a balance problem while walking.
Oh well, it’s water under the bridge, but ten years later Dr. Bray’s prediction never came to fruition. So here I am still conducting research and writing about the regions past. One positive benefit as a result from that accident, is I have sixty days of post scheduled, just in case of an emergency. At the moment, I am working on the wild horse issues of yesteryear, scheduled for November 7.
The City of Susanville should erect these signs, since now day, the odds are greater to hit a deer with a vehicle inside the city limits rather than the highway. More about this topic later.
The Grandstand on fire, July 5, 2025[photograph submittedOn Saturday morning, July 5, 2025, the wooden grandstand at Susanville’s Memorial Park went up in flames. So here is a little history about the structure and the park.
Since the 1880s the residents wanted to have a park with a children’s playground among other things. Fast forward to the 1920s, Susanville became a baseball town. The Fruit Growers and Lassen Lumber both sponsored semi-professional baseball teams. A bit trivia. Those who remember Henry Matteucci, long time owner of The Pioneer, he first came to Susanville as a baseball player for Fruit Growers.
July 5, 2025-photograph submitted
In the 1920s, many thought that the current location of the Memorial Park was ideal. It is a complicated story, but negotiations stalled. After World War II, the park movement was revived. It was M.E. “Mul” Mulroney who a guiding force behind it. The property was owned by Cy and Eleanor Houghton, and the asking price was $7,000. The community raised the funds, presented it to the city and the purchase was complete. However, the city had no funds, so again the community came forward they raised funds and donated labor to do the landscaping, equip the children’s playground and a wading pool. Fruit Growers donated the lumber for the grandstand and it was built by volunteer labor.
Memorial Park, 1948
In 1949 after the improvement were completed, the park was officially dedicated. All was well, until the early 1970s, when the grandstand was a frequent target of vandals. The situation was out of control and in May 1974, the City Council debated whether it should be torn down. City building inspector George Dotson stated that with proper maintenance and care the grandstand could last as much as 25 years. It should be noted that replacement cost was estimated at $50,000. Fire Chief, Ray Berettini stated that the grandstand was a fire hazard, but it was least far enough away from other structures to limit damage. It was the public response that was in favor of keeping the grandstand, and thus the grandstand was spared demolition.
