Category Archives: News

Ask Tim

The Purdy clan: Susan, Ronda, Tim and Gary.

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 in the middle of  August, 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 an request at any time.

Subscribe!

4th of July

4th of July 1915 celebration at Westwood. Courtesy of the Nevada Historical Society.

A happy fourth of July to all. Remember to use common sense over the holiday week and if you must use fireworks please use carefully. This is not a time for injuries, or setting off a fire.

Support!

Time Flies

The 1964 TR4 Triumph before the accident.

Just the other day, it was interesting to note that the Lassen Ale Works at the Pioneer celebrated its fifth anniversary.  Then I just realized that it was five years ago on June 15, 2012, that the Lassen County Fair Manager crashed into my parked Triumph. In addition, it was five years ago at this time when Lassen College Board of Trustees hired Dr. Marlon Hall, as the new president.

The aftermath.

Subscribe!

 

A generation issue

Alfred, Leo and Lola Murrer

Depending upon one’s circumstances in life, we all share a common ground with the passing of each generation. Leonard Pitts, a Miami Herald columnist recently wrote a story about this with the passing of Aunt, the last family member of his parent’s generation. I thought it was rather poignant and you can read the story here.

Support!

June Preview

Gallatin Peak, circa 1917. Courtesy of Wyn Wachhorst

Normally, as a rule, I have thirty-day postings prepared, but this has been a chaotic year for me, so I am hoping that matters will finally settle down, and I can get some semblance back. Among the issues we will be exploring is Lassen High School’s 1917 graduation, the 1978 Westwood Cemetery Dispute,  Lassen Volcanic Ash fallout and more.

Subscribe!

Susanville Cemetery Entrance

Main entrance to the Susanville Cemetery, February 8, 2015

On February 5, 2015, the region experienced a major windstorm. One of the casualties was the main entrance to the Susanville Cemetery. The goal was to have a new entrance in place for this year’s Memorial Day. The goal now is for September 16, as part of the Lassen County Courthouse Centennial celebration, which yours truly will be conducting a cemetery tour on that date.

Susanville Cemetery entrance prior to the February 5, 2015 windstorm

Support!

An Eagle Lake Breakfast

The dining room at the Gallatin House, circa 1918. Courtesy of Wyn Wachhorst

In the 1980s, the forest service considered Gallatin House at Eagle Lake surplus property and wanted to demolish it. More about this later. Anyhow, the property is now part of of Camp Ronald McDonald at Eagle Lake.  This Saturday and Sunday they will be holding their 24th Annual Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. It only cost five dollars for all you can eat breakfast. Proceeds benefit Lassen County Kids Camper Scholarship Fund.

Support!

Estate Sale

A minataure 1921 panaroma of Susanville depicting the neighborhood where the sale will take place.

When: Saturday, May 13, 2017 starting at 9:00 a.m.

Where: 500 Cottage Street, Susanville, California

The gramaphone and cabinet are many of the items for sale.

Details: This is phase two of my mother’s estate sale, since there was more assorting to be done after phase one, since the basement and the garage had not even been touched. Everything at bargain prices, in preparation to place the property on the market.  Come one, come all, spread the word.

A Research Expedition

Pikes Point, Eagle Lake circa 1917. Courtesy of Wyn Wachhorst

In late April I made a whirlwind visit to the San Francisco Bay Area. The adventure was two fold–one a needed change of scenery and the other to obtain some new historical data pertaining to Eagle Lake.

The first stop was a visit to Wyn Wachhorst and a review of a fascinating photograph collection of Eagle Lake between the years 1914 to 1920 of the Gallatin family activities there. After some discussion with colleagues, we may attempt a re-photographic survey–then versus now–to examine how the landscape has evolved over the last 100 years. The completed project would be done in a powerpoint presentation and made available to various interested groups. Stay tuned.

The next excursion was to visit Michael Clynne a U.S.G.S. geologist. In a recent finding the Brockman Flat Lava Flow extends to the east side of the lake at Bly Tunnel and Pelican Point is part of that lava flow. In addition, Gallatin Peak is a spillover of the Sierra Nevada. More about these revelations in future posts.

Subscribe!