In 1951, Lassen Lumber & Box Company (Lassen Lumber) began to liquidate its holdings. On November 3, 1952, its neighbor, Fruit Growers purchased Lassen Lumber for $1,425,00. On the surface it was puzzling why Fruit Growers would purchase another mill. After all, the need for box shook was in decline with the conversion to cardboard boxes. But Lassen Lumber had one item Fruit Growers needed–water rights. If at some time in the future Fruit Growers decided to convert and manufacture cardboard at Susanville, the purchase of Lassen Lumber would give it the necessary water supply.

On February 8, 1953 the last of the decked logs at Lassen Lumber had been processed, and Fruit Growers closed the mill. It was then sold to Goff Machinery Company of Stockton, California, which immediately dismantled it. On March 11, 1953, Fruit Growers sold thirty acres that contained the box factory to the T&M Sash & Door Factory, operated by A.L. Lucero and Walter Wirth for $125,000. The box factory building was destroyed by fire on April 3, 1966. Today, the property is occupied by Lassen Auto Body on Alexander Avenue.

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