Keefer, on the edge of the Madeline Plains, was one of those lonely stage stations. In 1869, the most direct route to Alturas and Surprise Valley from Susanville followed a most interesting route. The road travelled north to Willow Creek Valley and onward to Horse Lake. It then veered straight north to the Madeline Plains. Let me inform the intrepid explorer, I traveled the route from Horse Lake to the Madeline Plains——its one of those roads you only do once.
On June 3, 1890, James Edward Keefer (1861-1916) purchased this stage station from Herman Knipping for $600. In 1898, the station had already been shuttered, and Knipping was residing at Vina, Tehama County when he sold the property for an undisclosed amount to Mahala Shumway. The station was also known as Knippers, Mud Springs and Long Hollow Camp..