The following is kind of daffy considering the source. In January 1964, the Lassen County Historical Society published a bulletin on Hayden Hill. Nothing to dramatic, until in a section of tidbits referred to as “Did You Know,” becomes bizarre, which the following appeared.
“When the election for County Seat was held during 1864, Susanville, Janesville and Hayden Hill were the three towns selected at the meeting held April 1. On May 9, 1864, a vote was taken and when the votes were counted it was a close choice. Susanville won over the other two by one vote.”
The author of above, also wrote the early history of Hayden Hill which appeared in the same publication. It is duly noted that gold was discovered at Hayden Hill in 1869, though the mining town was not established until 1870–six years after the county seat election!