Category Archives: News

History, News

Eagle Lake’s Historic Low

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A view of Eagle Lake in 1950.
A view of Eagle Lake in 1950.

Yesterday, I attended the Eagle Lake Interagency Board meeting at Spaulding Tract. (It was my first public appearance since being home recovering from my broken hip, though I had to explain why I was using a walker.) Of course, one of the topics on agenda was the lake level, which is now at its all time record low of 5090.6 feet, just barely breaking its 1935 record. Whether or not the lake will recede even lower in the month of October is anyone’s best guess. While cooler temperatures will assist in the reduction of evaporation, the big factor will be whether any substantial precipitation will occur this month.

There were, of course, some lively discussions throughout the meeting. The eradication of brook trout from upper Pine Creek was news to me. I was later informed it has been issue for several years in certain circles. There was an item that was overlooked on the agenda, and I would have brought it up to the chairman, but I just did not have in me, due to the discomfort I experienced sitting, and needed to make a departure. The agenda item 2c – Update on new Stones lake level benchmark. However, I have a Lassen County Planning Commission on Wednesday, October 7, so I will ask then.

Hope with bringing you this information, it might just give you a tiny incentive to part with five dollars a month, to keep things afloat.

News

Halloween Tour

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Belfast
According to one person, Belfast, was going to be a city paved in gold. That prediction was made in 1881.

While it is nearly a month away, mark your calendar for a brief, but exhilarating early afternoon tour to get you into the spirit of things.

You will be introduced to some of Lassen’s eccentric permanent residents. Of course, one has to pay a pilgrimage to the one and only “Count” who died in 1662. That is not a typo and the marker was placed by unknown parties back in the 1930s.

Stay tuned for the details.

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History, News

Susanville – 607 Cottage Street

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The house was originally located at 601 Cottage Street. In 1939, it was moved to 607 to make way for a parking lot, for the new Safeway Store. Dr. J.R. Packwood later remodeled it, adding a second story.
The house was originally located at 601 Cottage Street. In 1939, it was moved to 607 to make way for a parking lot, for the new Safeway Store. Dr. J.R. Packwood later remodeled it, adding a second story. Courtesy of JoAnn Uptegrove

Today, at 8:15 a.m. marks six weeks since I underwent surgery for my broken hip. I arrived home one day last week, though I need the aid of a walker to get around, among other things.  Slowly, but surely progress is being made. I have been assured that I should be able to attend the Lassen County Planning Commission meeting on October 7, followed by the Lassen College Board  a week later. As I write this, though, that seems likes an eon away, having yet to be able to venture down the stairs and to the outside world.

While I was in rehab, I did make the best of my idle time when I was not in occupation and/or physical therapy sessions. One major accomplishment was the drafting of the Inspiration Point Tour presentation. When I will be able to do this walking tour, unfortunately, at this time I do not know.  It may be a small practice run in November, and then a regular tour next spring. Too many unknowns, as not just with my walking ability, but weather and other factors to be considered.

607 Cottage Street as it appeared in the winter of 2005. One portion of me, hopes a heavy winter appears, and another somewhat terrified with the prospect of snow and ice, mainly the latter, as I don't want to have another disastrous fall.
607 Cottage Street as it appeared in the winter of 2005. One portion of me, hopes a heavy winter appears, and another somewhat terrified with the prospect of snow and ice, mainly the latter, as I don’t want to have another disastrous fall.

Finally, and most importantly, I want to say a very big thank you to everyone, who lent a helping hand during this most interesting episode of my life.

For five dollars a month by subscribing, you can receive a daily email on that day’s topic, and in doing so, help preserve a bit of history.

News

Random Notes

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TR4
The TR4 before the Wolcott curse.

Good Monday morning. It is now mid-September, with fall fast approaching.  Actually in certain parts of the world, they do not necessarily observe the equinox/solstice and pronounce that the new season begins on the first of the said month. In this instance, fall begins on September, winter December 1 and so forth. There is some merit to this system, as the changes are already evident.

While reading the Reno Gazette Journal the other day there was an article about the Cascadian subsuction zone that could trigger a magnitude earthquake of 9.0 off of the Pacific Northwest ocean, which extends as far south as Mendocino.  The fault lines extend to Lake Almanor and points south. Of course, earthquakes and faults are one of the many topics for the Inspiration Point Tour.

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News

Brand Project Update

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Brands
The interior wall at the Pioneer courtesy of Lassen Ale Works

Some time has lapsed since I last provided an update.

While reviewing the draft, it is in need of some work. While there is some real interesting material, my prose, is just a bit on the “dry” side and is in need of some “pizzaz.”

In addition, while I had hoped for a fall 2015 release, it is not going to happen. So, if you had plans to include this on your holiday shopping list, you will need to come up with an alternative, which I will have for you.  However, the 2016 Lassen High Alumni Calendar is in production, which should be available in October.

Help me with my recovery, and subscribe for as a little as $5.00 a month.

 

News

Inspiration Point Tour Update

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Downtown Susanville 1894
Notice the tall pines that once adorned the Inspiration Point Bluff. On the tour you will learn what happened to them. Susanville’s Main Street, 1894. Courtesy of Ivor Langiar.

Since I am in early stages of recovery, it is too difficult to plan anything, since I have no idea when I will be home.

In the good news department, in between physical therapy I have drafted out the talk. Topics include, but not limited to Lake Lahontan and the difficulties of mining on Diamond Mountain. They are all inter-related.

Help me with my recovery, and subscribe for as a little as $5.00 a month.

News

My broken hip

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Peering through the roof of the sunrise chamber
Peering through the roof of the sunrise chamber

On Saturday evening, August 15, 2015 I broke my right hip. Feel free to use your imagination as to the what I was doing.  That night I was transported to Renown in Reno. It should be noted that another Susanville resident and friend of mine, Dave Foster also broke his right hip and was transported to Renown. Early Sunday, Dr. Bray operated on Dave, and then did me. Currently, we are both at Hearthstone in Sparks for rehab.

Every now and then there might not be a daily post, because the drafts are in a word file on a different computer. However, during my recovery I have drafted articles requested by subscribers: Susanville Coca Cola Plant, Secret Valley Paiute, Part One of Susanville Bordellos to name a few, bit will be awhile before they go on line.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during my recovery.

Tim I. Purdy

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News

Lake Almanor Story

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Lake Alma book
The dust jacket

Today’s topic is just a little bit strange. First of all, I must confess when it comes to self promotion, I flunk in that department. My passion is research, preserving and writing the region’s rich and diverse heritage. Of course, it takes money to do it, so one option was book publishing. Of course, that medium is changing rapidly, and that is not where I am going today. Continue reading Lake Almanor Story →

News

Your Topic

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Susanville's Antler's Club, 1923. The Antler's Club, was a sub-group until its members were granted a charter as the Elk's organization.
Susanville’s Antler’s Club, 1923. The Antler’s Club, was a sub-group until its members were granted a charter as the Elk’s organization.

I thought I would take this opportunity to inquire as to if anyone had a certain topic they would like to see in a future post.  There is no rhyme or reason as to what appears on a daily basis. Some are purely accidental by nature, while researching one topic, I come across information totally irrelevant from the search. A prime example was that of the Edsel Dealership. In essence that was the foundation for my original research. I started with Buster McKissick, which introduced me to the town of Amedee, that led to boating on Honey Lake. Thus, it is a never ending process, one item leads into the next.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy these daily postings. So drop me a line, if there is something you would like addressed.

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History, News

Oh My!

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The carnage
The carnage

As a community service for the health and safety of those visiting the Lassen County Fairgrounds, no matter how careful one parks there are those reckless careful drivers that are of a different mindset.

Three years ago today, while part of the volunteer crew of the Lassen High Alumni Association in preparation of setting up for the all class reunion picnic in Jensen Hall, did I have one of those experiences. Some may recall when the fair manager backed into my parked 1964 TR4 Triumph.

Next came the trauma, or drama, to fix it. Needless to say, I was out thousands of dollars to repair it. More importantly, its all water under the bridge so to speak, and I am back to driving it again, though the intermittent rainy showers has made it a challenge with top down.

TR4
Before the carnage.

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