Seated Left to Right: Robert Johnston, Loyal Woodstock, Frank S. Strong, William H. Jenison, Frank Thomas, Alexander T. Arnold and Eber G. Bangham.

Standing Left to Right: John Garrett, Wright P. Hall, John Davis, Abraham L. Tunison, Ephraim V. Spencer, William B. Long, Thomas Montgomery and Dr. R.F. Moody.  Photograph circa 1892.

This was a very short lived organization. In 1882 brought an awareness of the area’s early history with the publication of History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties, California. On February 14, 1882 a group of gentlemen gathered at the Johnston & Wood Hall in Susanville. The purpose of the gathering was the formation of a pioneer society. Twenty-four of the earliest settlers of the Honey Lake Valley attended. Dr. H.S. Borrette who gave the opening statement stated the purpose of a pioneer society was to perpetuate and cement the friendships of the long-ago.

At the conclusion of the meeting, E.V.  Spencer, W.H. Crane and Marcus Chamberlain were selected to organize the society. On March 4, 1882, the first meeting of the Lassen County Pioneer Society was held. Membership was open to any male citizen who was born or settled within the territory now comprising Lassen County prior to July 1, 1860. Annual dues were set at $2.50. The Society had a total of forty-five charter members. It was the intent to hold an annual meeting on the first day of June at Susanville.  That never happened.

It is not known why the above photograph was taken. All but two featured would have been eligible to join the Society. Those two were John Garrett who came in 1862 and Dr. R.F. Moody who arrived in 1861.

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