Another year, another milestone. For those that has just tuned in, it was on this date, I made my debut at Susanville’s Riverside Hospital. I am grateful, that my lifespan is longer than the Riverside that was built in 1921 and torn down in 1969. As tradition continues, this is my day off.
Tim
Back by a somewhat popular demand are the calendars. As usual there are always an interesting mix historic photographs. Among those featured are Susanville Logging, 1951; Baxter Creek Siphon, 1936; Hilke Piper, 1931; Lassen Monument, 1959; Cinder Cone, 1939 to name a few.
One has three options to purchase calendars:
1) Locally, you can purchase them at Margie’s Book Nook.
2) You can purchase direct online by clicking here
3) You can also email me to place your order, and it will be sent with an invoice.
Important Notice: There are only 50 calendars available, and once sold out that is it.
It was a year ago today, that Susanville’s St. Francis Hotel went up in flames. It was an arson fire, and suspect, Tahne Willow Orr was later arrested. Orr would later enter a guilty plea and on July 22, 2025 she was sentenced to eight years in prison.
Cleanup of the burned out ruins was another matter. The City of Susanville would have to go through the abatement process to get job done as the owner was difficult. In July, Lassen County Superior Court appointed Dan Collins as Receiver to oversee the clean up that was estimated at $496,146.50.
The actual work on cleaning up the site began in late September and it is almost complete. It is strange to see the site as a vacant lot. When I have an opportunity I will take a photograph to share with the out of area readers.
Tim
This 1916 Susanville postcard was one of many scenes after a snowstorm dumped four feet of snow on the community. At first, I thought it was calendar material. The more I examined it, I decided to a replace with 1932 Road to Mineral scene.
Due to unforeseen circumstances the 2026 calendars are a bit late this year, but I hope have them available in early November.
Tim
Personally, I think it is interesting to do a comparison of then and now scenes, to see what changes have occurred. I have a most wonderful volunteer who has been scanning my old negatives. Earlier this year, she was in the Fall River country and she took photograph from approximately where the one I had published a few years ago of the Pit River Falls. Of course in that post I noted that this original route to leave Fall River Mills to head west to the Sacramento Valley, In 1930, the route was abandoned when Highway 299 was constructed.
Tim
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.
Tim
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.
Tim
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.
Tim
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.
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.
Tim
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.
Tim