Category Archives: News

Brand Project Update

Murrer Ranch, Willow Creek Valley.
Murrer Ranch, Willow Creek Valley.

Well, it has been awhile since I provided an update. Progress has been slow, but sure. Some of the tedious work has been involved in researching title of the various ranches. Take for instance, the case of Frank Flux, by many accounts purchased the Sifford ranch south of Milford in 1927. It is not showing in the Grantee Index for a ten year period, so there must be recorded elsewhere in Agreements. Or in the case of Lawrence Holland who sold the Smoke Creek Ranch in 1952, that was even reported in the New York Times. Whether the brand project  will be completed by the end of the year, is not known.

After all, this is due to some unforseen “bumps in the road.” When I switched out hard drives earlier this year, my publishing software would no longer work. The company changed their software policy, which is border line extortion, and I have to pay a hefty fee for reactivation. To make things a bit more interesting and for some distraction is the November 8 election in which I running for re-election for Lassen Community College Trustee Area 1.  As they say, it is what it is. Stay tuned.

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Oktoberfest Cemetery Tour

Jensen Family
Jurgen Jensen family will be a part of the tour: Left to right: A.R. “Bert”, Delia, Effie and Jurgen, 1902. Courtesy of Abe Jensen

During the summer, I have been doing preliminary work on an Oktoberfest Cemetery Tour. This will be similar to the St. Patrick’s Cemetery Tour wherein this time the focus will be the German immigrants who are now permanent residents of the Susanville Cemetery.

Tentatively, the graves selected are: Jacob Schmitt, Jurgen Jensen, Antone Bantley, Hans Wiencke, William Brockman, Ben Neuhaus, Daniel Cramer, John Hulsman and Andrew Miller. An interesting note descendants of all these families  still reside in Lassen County.

Currently, it is scheduled for Saturday October 1, 2016. It would truly be appreciated if those interested in attending would let me know. If there is a lack of interest, then there is no reason for me to finalize the presentation.  You can either post in the comment section or email me.

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Eastside Tour?

Stacy Depot
Stacy Depot. The town was named for Stacy Yoakum Spoon, wife of Grover Franklin Spoon, one of the town’s developers and its first postmaster. Stacy’s sister Eulalee was married to Robert Trussell

Some folks have expressed an interest to venture around portions of the eastern area of the Honey Lake Valley.  Of course, this is not something you do in July and for that matter in August. Ideally, it is more of late September outing.

Downtown Amedee, 1982.
Downtown Amedee, 1982.

Stops could include Wendel, Amedee Cemetery, the remnants of Stacy and the Honey Lake Cemetery. Maybe, if we are lucky enough a visit to the High Rock Ranch, though I do not know the current owners. However, to do such an outing, does take planning on my part, hence I am sending out this feeler, first to see if there is enough interest to warrant such an excursion.  There is also an option in which I could put together a self-guided tour packet as an alternative due to scheduling conflicts or other issues that might arise.  Either leave a comment or contact me direct.

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June Preview

American Legion Convention Parade, Susanville, 1926. Courtesy of Margaret A. Purdy
American Legion Convention Parade, Susanville, 1926. Courtesy of Margaret A. Purdy

A little bit of everything this month. Enjoy!

At A Glance: A Susanville History 6/1/16
Antelope Station 6/2/16
Honey Lake Produce 6/3/16
Malvena Gallatin 6/4/16
 Lassen County – Willow Creeks 6/5/16
 Knoch – End of an Era 6/6/16
 Lassen High Trivia 6/7/16
 Jeremiah Wood and a family legacy 6/8/16
 Sierra Army Depot 6/9/16
 Milford School 6/10/16
 Summer Solstice Tour 6/11/16
Standish – Then & Now 6/12/16
 Juniper Lake 6/13/16
 Rosebud, Nevada 6/14/16
 Lonely Graves – Rosie Ross 6/15/16
 That old barn 6/16/16
 Those rowdy camp followers 6/17/16
 Lassen County Acquires Property 6/18/16
 Antelope Lake 6/19/16
 Frederick Zarbock, a desert homesteader 6/20/16
 Susanville bans fireworks 6/21/16
 Homer Lake 6/22/16
 Adin 6/23/16
 Abe Jensen Ranch Brand 6/24/16
 Lake Almanor Country Club 6/25/16
 Susanville’s City Hall 6/26/16
 Susanville – Sunkist Street 6/27/16
 Painter’s Flat 6/28/16
 Sorsoli Hotel 6/29/16
July  Preview 6/30/16

Brands and Blogs

Tanner Ranch, 1934.
Tanner Ranch, 1934.

After I scheduled this post into the calendar, I knew what my intention was. Then I moved onto other topics, before jotting it down.

That spurt of creative genius has not returned. Progress is being made on the Pioneer Brands. It was discussed during the St. Patrick’s Cemetery Tour. In the forthcoming months, I will post some drafts of those brands and some brands from way back when that never adorned the wall of the Pioneer.  Case example was the Red River Lumber Company’s brand.

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Your Topic

Flanigan
Flanigan. Courtesy of Robert M. Hanft

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. For instance, this item was composed on March 3, 2016.  So by the time you read this, I am already working on posts in the middle of June. 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.

The topics readers wanted to learn about are a wide range from the Susanville Coca Cola Plant to the Shinn Ranch. However, recently I have received a request about the Lone Pine Mine on Gold Run which ties in with the Wild Horse Mines of Smoke Creek. Also of note, mining on Diamond Mountain is one of the many topics to be discussed on the forthcoming Inspiration Point Tour.

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A new Susanville book

Jonas470

Sandra Jonas who has spent years researching Susan Roop Arnold has come full circle and published her work. While I recently purchased a copy, and I have not yet had an opportunity to read it. As a matter of fact, I have a bit of back log of reading material. It has been nearly a month now since I received the last of Glenn Wemple’s memoirs to review, which I do need to focus on, along with a host of other matters.

Sandra will be doing a book signing on Saturday April 16, 2016 from 1-3 at Margie’s Book Nook, 722 Main Street, Susanville. If you are out of the area or cannot make it give Margie’s a call, 530-257-2392 to have them reserve a signed copy for you.

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Another Milestone

Honey Lake Meat Market's 1906 parade entry featuring Leona Jackson and Mary Fern Long. It was taken at the corner of Union and Cottage Streets. The barn in the background was torn down and replaced with the St. Francis Hotel. Courtesy of Leona Byars
Honey Lake Meat Market’s 1906 parade entry featuring Leona Jackson and Mary Fern Long. It was taken at the corner of Union and Cottage Streets. The barn in the background was torn down and replaced with the St. Francis Hotel. Courtesy of Leona Byars

It was at this time a year ago I included the subscription feature. The site as you know is free, and no pay wall, or blocked material. However, I experience various costs, let alone the time to provide a daily post. So, first of all I appreciate those who support this effort, though less than 75 people are paid subscribers, yet over 10,000 people visit the site each month.

As an enticement for you to subscribe is one of the offering of tours to subscribers. We recently did a Saint Patrick’s Cemetery Tour and up next an Inspiration Point Tour. It should be noted, that those that either reside out of the area or cannot make it, still receive the text of the tour. In addition, paid subscribers receive priority on their request for future topics.

So I have some faith that there are those who have been enjoying the content for free, sign up at five dollars month to subscribe.  After all what better way to start you day with latest historical post.  Its all just a click away,  here. 

April Preview

Courtesy of Alyce Bangham
Courtesy of Alyce Bangham

A little bit of everything this month. Note the entry for April 8. Enjoy!

Red River: The Turbulent Years 4/1/16
Pioneer Traits 4/2/16
Another Milestone 4/3/16
Shirley’s 4/4/16
 Nataqua Defined, Sort Of 4/5/16
 Lassen High School Trivia 4/6/16
 Susanville’s First Golf Course 4/7/16
 A Surprise!!!! 4/8/16
 Antelope Station 4/9/16
 Harrison’s Traction Engine 4/10/16
 McKissick Ranch – Then and Now 4/11/16
 Paul Bunyan’s Pine Trademark 4/12/16
 Ravendale 4/13/16
 Lassen High Alumni 4/14/16
 Your Topic 4/15/16
 Sorsoli Hotel 4/16/16
 Diamond Mountain Mining 4/17/16
 Knights of Columbus 4/18/16
 Horse Lake 4/19/16
 Horne Ranch 4/20/16
Susanville’s Brashear Street 4/21/16
 Homer Lake 4/22/16
 Lassen County Reclamation Projects 4/23/16
 St. Francis Hotel Makeover 4/24/16
 Susanville Country Club Preview 4/25/16
 Peter Lassen’s Demise 4/26/16
 Of Brands & Blogs 4/27/16
Lassen Monument Movement 4/28/16
 Skedaddle Dam 4/29/16
May  Preview 4/30/16

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