Tag Archives: Plumas County

Bartlett Said, A Vagabond’s Journey

March 17, 2016 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Said Valley Reservoir, 1921. Courtesy of Lola L. Tanner

Approximately some 40 miles north of Susanville, along Highway 139, there lies a small, non-descript place known as Said Valley, or when there is water Said Valley Reservoir, the latter was actually good fishing when it retained water.

It was named for Bartlett Said, somewhat of a free spirit in his day. Born 1813 in Kentucky, Said with his family migrated to Placerville, California in 1850. From there they moved to Rich Bar, Plumas County. His wife, Mary, not fond of her husband, disposed of him. Bartlett, then took solace with his daughter’s family Nancy Jones, who operated Summit House in eastern Plumas County.

One of the reasons for Saids wonderlust was mining. When news circulated about the discovery of gold in northern Lassen County, Said went to check it out. He located in the northern extreme of Grasshopper Valley, that in time became known as Said Valley. After several years, he ventured over to Horse Lake. From there his prospecting adventures took him to Long Valley, in Lassen County, where various relations resided.

Said, like so many others, struggled to make a living at mining. In 1896, the family had the elderly patriarch committed to the Lassen County Hospital, which also served as a poor folks and old folks home. He died there in 1904, and lies buried in the Susanville Cemetery in an unmarked grave.

Never miss a story, click here.

History

Abraham Farris, Richmond Road Merchant

January 22, 2016 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Abraham Farris in front of his store, 1937. Courtesy of Calvin Farris

While many may have fond memories of Borghi’s store on Richmond Road, there was another store near there and before Borghi’s. The store I am referring to was operated by Lassen County’s best-known Syrian, Abraham Farris.

In September 1912, Farris, who was operating a store in Clio, Plumas County, paid Susanville a visit to relocate. He liked what he saw and made arrangements to move. The Lassen Advocate duly noted, “Mr. Farris impresses us as a man of enterprise and business ability, and as one who will do his share in the up building of Susanville.”

Farris, set up shop on the southeast corner of Main and Roop Streets. All went well in the beginning until the owner of the property, O.M. Doyle evicted him. Doyle made arrangements to have a two-story brick building on the lot, that seasoned Susanville residents will know as the Del Mar.

The business district was booming with the advent of the railroad, and Farris could not find a suitable location. He opted to purchase property in the Lassen Townsite on Richmond Road. Yet, this was problematic. Lassen Townsite was owned by several influential Susanville businessmen. They limited commercial development near the depot and it would be kept to a minimum, mainly for businesses affiliated with rail services. To get around this predicament, Farris hired contractor Louis Dimon to build him a house large enough for his family, but with enough space to carry a large stock of merchandise. The store operated until his death in April 1940. In 1942, the store front was remodeled. The building it should be noted burned down in 2013.

Remnants of the Farris building, June 20, 2015

Never miss a story, click here.

History

Prattville Road

October 12, 2015 Tim Purdy 1 Comment

Susanville's North Pine Street, January 1916. — Susanville’s North Pine Street, January 1916.

Last month when I wrote about Plumas Pines, someone inquired about Prattville Road. Prior to the construction of State Highway 36, west bound travelers from Susanville ventured up North Pine Street, which at that time ended at North Street. From that point onward it was designated as Prattville Road. The original town of Prattville was located at Big Meadows, Plumas County prior to the construction of Lake Almanor. At that time, Prattville was the next community west of Susanville, hence the name of Prattville Road. Continue reading Prattville Road →

History

Plumas Pines Resort

September 16, 2015 Tim Purdy 2 Comments

Usually, there are a few of us who get together to make an annual luncheon trip to Plumas Pines at Lake Almanor. However, between everyone’s schedule and then my broken hip that I am recovering from, we will have to wait until next year.

It is interesting to note that development of what is known as Prattville today, versus the original town of Prattville, which was destroyed to make way for Lake Almanor, had its humble origins dating back to 1916. It was none other than the forest service who offered 88 lots for a special use permit fee of ten dollars a year.

In 1932, Adelaide and Fred Smith established the Plumas Pines Resort. The Smith’s operated it for the next twenty years. Since that time it has had numerous owners, but its always worthy a visit.

Subscribe and support this site for as little as $5.00 a month.

News

Lake Almanor Story

August 19, 2015 Tim Purdy 1 Comment

Today’s topic is just a little bit strange. First of all, I must confess when it comes to self promotion, I flunk in that department. My passion is research, preserving and writing the region’s rich and diverse heritage. Of course, it takes money to do it, so one option was book publishing. Of course, that medium is changing rapidly, and that is not where I am going today. Continue reading Lake Almanor Story →

History

Prattville Burn

August 18, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

It was not until the 1920s that the Red River Lumber Company experienced problems with forest fires. Some time back I wrote about that company’s fire train. On July 27, 1926, a fire started at Butt Valley where Red River was logging. This was one instant that while the fire train was dispatched it was no match for the inferno. Continue reading Prattville Burn →

History

Control Burns

August 10, 2015 Tim Purdy 1 Comment

Bunnell's — Bunnell’s Resort, Big Meadows. Courtesy of Philip S. Hall

While my Red River series covers a tremendous amount of material on the Red River Lumber Company, there were some topics were not addressed. In 1938, the topic of controlled burns was being discussed, as the company had done it in its earliest years until Clinton Walker’s departure in 1913. Below is an excerpt of a 1938 memo Clinton wrote to the Board and the experience of a control burn at Lake Almanor. Continue reading Control Burns →

History

Dunham Photography

July 3, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Willow Creek School — Willow Creek Valley School, 1886 is a Orley Dunham photograph

Orley and Murry Dunham were photographers in the region during the 1880s and 1890s. They both started in Plumas County. Orley married Maggie Ford, a member of a Indian Valley pioneer family. In 1886, Orley opened his studio in Susanville. During that year, he took a number of photographs of the Lassen County Schools. He left Susanville in 1891,to work for a large photography studio in San Francisco. Continue reading Dunham Photography →

History

Gold Run Road Company

June 13, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

The June 2, 1866 issue of The Sage Brush measured only 6 inches by 12 inches and was printed only on one side.

This toll road had a very short life, and that existed only on paper no less. However, when the company was organized they deemed a life span of twenty years, but from the only record indicates, it did not survive twenty days.

Nevertheless, it was an admirable undertaking. It was spearheaded by a group of progressive residents of Honey Lake and Indian Valleys. During the 1850s and 1860s one of the most traveled routes was a road from Gold Run going over Diamond Mountain and following Light’s Creek into Indian Valley. The gentlemen intended to put a toll gate at the summit. As required by law, they published their intent in the Sage Brush newspaper. On June 13, 1866 they held an organizational meeting in Susanville and elected A.D. Headly, President, James Ford, Secretary and W.N. DeHaven, Treasurer. The following day they filed their Articles of Incorporation with the Lassen County Clerk.

The company’s lasting legacy is attached to the articles of incorporation, was a copy of the Susanville, Sage Brush, the forerunner to the Lassen Advocate. This is the oldest known copy in existence. The paper apologized for the small size of the issue, citing their paper supplies had not arrived.

Support this site and subscribe today!