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 February, 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

Here it is the first day, of the first month of 2025. That is my profound statement. No revelations or grandiose goals. Actually, I wrote this brief post back in October, and a lack of inspiration.

However, today’s illustration I thought would refreshing since it is going be awhile when nature is green again in all its splendor. This corral is located north of McCoy Flat Reservoir and is a somewhat relic of past. They were once  a scene of bustling activity in the fall, when livestock would be rounded up to relocated to lower elevation for the winter.

The regular programming will resume tomorrow.

Tim

The Southern Pacific Railway in the early 1900s initiated promotion brochures, especially in the areas where it was expanding operations.  These glossy booklets were subsided by city and/or county governments. This became the foundation of Sunset Magazine.

The above illustration appeared in 1908 edition of Lassen County that was published by Sunset. The three houses depicted still are in existence, though they have been  remodeled through years. The new owner of the house depicted at the bottom  relies on the internet search, like Zillow to find the history of the house. They inquired if the information was correct. Consider the source. This year I experienced way too many internet sleuths, who wanted me to their verify findings, especially the ones who paid search fee  and then expect me to do such work for free.  I am not going down those rabbit holes. A final note as to my rant of the North Pine Street house. The house appeared in a 1878 photograph at an auction site, but it was too pricey for my budget.

Have a safe and sane Happy New Years Eve-Tim

It is a rarity, or at unless its just me, to locate early day Christmas photographs. In 1906, J. Henry Swain who had a desert homestead at Dry Valley, located between Grasshopper and the Madeline Plains, moved to Susanville and opened at Swain’s Bar. He was astonished that the saloon business was of lucrative. His wife, Annie, was staunch tee-totolar and was not thrilled about her husband’s new occupation. On the other, she did admit about a trade off, since she could indulge in the finer things life. In 1908, Swains purchased dilapidated building at the west end of Main Street. Once renovation process was complete, it was an envy to many. In 1922, the widow Annie Swain sold to the Antlers Club, precursor to the Elks.

Tim

Note: The Monticola Club is very special to me. One of their earliest endeavors was the formation of the Lassen County Free Library. That library system opened a whole new world when I was growing up, and provided a foundation for my early historical research. Tim

Clean out your closets of extra unused shoes to make room for new shoes/slippers/boots that may be coming your way for Christmas.  Monticola Club’s Fundraiser Project is nearing the end and more shoes are needed.  In addition to the drop-off locations listed below, there is a large box at Susanville Supermarket.

My holiday activity will be spent retrieving old research files from some cd’s. A generous friend provided me with a USB SuperDrive to do the task. I thought I had printed out a hard copy of my notes on the local Native American community dating back to record searches of late 1800s from my older computer files. There are gaps in that print out, so hopefully the full file will appear on the cd. After all I have gone through several computers, and the older ones, there had been problems of file transfers. Who knows what gems I might uncover.

Tim

Just a friendly reminder to buy your calendar, as inventory is low at this point. Margie’s Book Nook has three,  I have one available and that is it. Of note, I had several people comment to me that this was an especially excellent calendar. 

Tim

During the month of December I will be examining the Lassen Advocate newspaper of 1898 and 1914. If you are interested in people, places or events, please let me know. I do have a long overdue request for Edward Hilder. In addition, obituary requests for Jesse Cole (1898) and John F. Hulsman (1914).

Tim