I just cataloged this photograph the other day. One reader asked for pictures of the Emerson Hotel, which is the prominent building featured in this photograph. To the left, was a two-story wooden frame building known as the Hyer House, a boarding house. Further down the street, is the Knoch Building, before the third story was added in 1914. In the far background is the old fire house, which is now the current site of Susanville’s City Hall. It was destroyed in a 1921 fire. The Hyer and Emerson were destroyed by fire in 1915.
Most people at this time did not know the names of the streets in Susanville, there being no signs to provide that information. In addition everyone picked up their mail at the post office, located at one time in the Knoch Building. In 1925, the post office instituted home delivery and it was important to provide a house number and street name. Oddly, though there were no distinction of north and south, and that did not occur in 1953. I also mention this as another subscriber has a recipe given to her grandmother, Jeanette Worley from Betty Crocker who resided on 193 Pine Street, Phone 392-1. I put the housing number transition directory with the 1929 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, in a safe place. It is safe for I am frustrated where I put it, and because I broke five ribs in June, I am not able to move the heavy volumes of records. But, I am on a mission to find out Susanville’s Betty Crocker.
Tim
What a great view of the Emerson Hotel. Thanks for answering my early request with an image never before seen of this handsome building, and with that interesting group of young ladies, not your typical scene for a 1911 look at down-town Susanville. I also find it interesting at the size those trees have already grown along the side of the hotel. What a loss to Susanville, a landmark only to be remembered in a few photographs.