Category Archives: News

February Preview

Wingfield’s Meadowbrook Ranch circa 1911. Courtesy of Fred and Alyce Bangham
A little bit of everything is on tap from the Ravendale Post Office’s forthcoming celebration to Fletcher Walker’s 1927 “snowball brigade.” Among other topics is that of the Fairview School and the Susanville Congregational Church. Two items that I just keep procrastinating is the legend of the Holden Dick Mine. The other is about the famed explorer Leonard Clark who grew up in the Honey Lake Valley and graduated from Lassen High School in 1919. Clark had numerous relatives in the region including the Brubeck and Litch families. In addition, he was married to George Wingfield’s daughter. Stay tuned.

A Smoke Creek Tour?

Smoke Creek Desert
Smoke Creek Desert looking towards Sheepshead, fall, 1977
The post about Mott’s Mine in the Smoke Creek Desert generated a lot of interest. One subscriber wanted to about if the BLM tours that were done, it what seems like in a previous life could be resurrected. For those not familiar, the BLM archaeologist, Don Manuel and myself as a historian, conducted tours to Smoke Creek, Skedaddle Dam and so forth. Stan Bales, also of BLM, and I even did an east side Eagle Lake tour. One item of note, is Don has since retired. Another factor at play, is whether the BLM has any interest to do tours and I am out of the loop so to speak, with the current BLM personnel. So, I guess the questions are one is there that much interest and two how to proceed?

Adopt A Pika

My personalized adoption certificate.
The Lassen Loomis Association established in 1939 provides a variety of educational aids among other items to support Lassen Volcanic National Park. Last year they instituted a Adopt A Pika program. Your $25 donation will assist in monitoring the American pika population at Lassen Volcanic, and also to help educate the public about this important program. In addition, you receive a life-sized pika stuffed animal; a personalized adoption certificate and an American pika fact sheet.

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Happy New Year

Will we have a big January snowstorm this month?
Personally, after 2017’s roller coaster of a year for me, I am certainly welcoming 2018. One item on tap this year is the Susanville Mural Tour that was stalled last year. Besides the story behind the mural itself, the tour will include the history of the building it is depicted on. For instance the building the Big Wheels mural is on, was built in 1947 for Williams Furniture.

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Harvesting the Crops

The last memoirs of the late Glenn Wemple.
Harvesting the Crops: the Final Recollections of a Milford Rancher are the memoirs of the late Glenn Wemple which was released last month. Glenn wrote and many a soul has experienced this a similar episode: “As I have written earlier I always said I was never going to be a rancher, but honestly I didn’t have any idea what I wanted to do. Thanksgiving dinner in 1950 was the turning point in my adult life.” For those interested the publication is available in Susanville at Margie’s Book Nook.

Last Call for Eagle Lake Calendars

2018 Eagle Lake Calendar
If you have not purchased this special limited edition calendar, time is running out. There is a handful of calendars available at Margie’s Book Nook. I will accept orders for one more week. Here are your options (1) You can order online from this site.(2) You can purchase them in Susanville at Margie’s Book Nook. If you do this method let me know, your calendar order will be set aside to pick up when it is convenient for you (3) You can have your calendar(s)sent to you with an invoice.

Give the gift of Lassen County History

Fruit Growers Supply Company, Camp 10, Pine Creek Valley, 1932.
Not sure what to give that special someone, but want to keep the budget balanced too? Why not a gift membership to tipurdy.org. At five dollars a month it is a bargain. You can decided whether for a month, quarter or even splurge for a year.
The recipient not only receives a daily email notification of the latest topic, but is entitled to hard to find papers on the Eagle Lake Ice Caves, too. On top of that they can partake in members only tours varying from a summer solstice observance at an ancient solar observatory to a light hearted Halloween Tour. Even if that person on your list is not local, they still receive materials associated with the tours.

Information on subscriptions is found right here. Have a question drop me a line at tim@tipurdy.org.

December Preview

Bly Tunnel, Eagle Lake
There is plenty in store for this month. Some theorize there is link between the Red River Lumber Company and the bombing of Pearl Harbor, so you do not want to miss that post. Along the same lines, a feature about the other Westwood. Then there is the other extreme of the Wendel Séance and the slow dismantling of the Fernley & Lassen Railroad. As usual lots of interesting topics to be explored during this festive month.

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Thanksgiving

Scotts
Scotts, a Western Pacific station in Long Valley. Courtesy of the Nevada Historical Society
First of all, wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Personally, I am thankful for readers of the posts who are quite supportive and inform me how much they enjoy them and learn. For me, that is important, a little encouragement goes a long ways, and the posts are a learning experience for me as well.

Tim Purdy