The background behind Riverside Park is unique. Prior to the park’s creation, it was home to the Fruit Growers Supply Company’s Story Club, a recreational center for its employees. It was destroyed by fire in 1944. Instead of replacing the structure, Fruit Growers converted the parcel into a park for its employees, and the public, too.
In 1963, Fruit Growers sold its mill properties, which included the park, to Eagle Lake Lumber Company. The City of Susanville, it should be noted took care of the park’s maintenance. In 1976, A.A. “Red” Emerson, president of Sierra Pacific Industries, of which the Eagle Lumber Company was a division, offered the park to the City for $23,000. It had recently been appraised at $45,000. The City accepted the offer and by end of the year the deal consummated.