Long before Gallatins appeared on the scene the south shore of Eagle Lake was a popular gathering place during the summer. A perfect example appeared in the columns of the Lassen Advocate newspaper of July 11, 1874: “Quite a number of our citizens spent their fourth at Eagle Lake, where they had fine times, fishing, hunting, sailing, etc.”
On August 1, 1886, Sacramento businessman, Albert Gallatin purchased 165 acres on Eagle Lake’s south shore from George Nelson for $400. In the next two years Gallatin would purchase 4,962 acres in the Eagle Lake basin, owning not quite all the shoreline property what we refer to today as Eagle’s Nest to Bucks Point. The property was used for summer livestock grazing in-conjunction with a ranch he owned in Tehama County.
Fast forward to 1913, Gallatin’s widow, Malvena built the first summer home at Eagle Lake, which is now part of Camp Ronald McDonald. Malvena had entertained from time to time either lease camp sites or other developments at the south shore, but never followed through. In July 1924 Malevna wrote to Lassen County officials to protest a proposed timber tax: “The public has been allowed access to these lands for camping, bathing, boating, and fishing at all times. The Gallatin Beach and a large part of the shoreline property has been used for years by the public. It might be called a public playground.”
Tomorrow the Gallatin House Effect