Lassen County Courthouse, spring 1917. Courtesy of Elberta M. Fraley
Lassen County turned down an offer to have a free Carnegie Library built. At the August 1916, Lassen County Board of Supervisor’s meeting, Charlotte Cahlan, Attaway McKinsey, Alberta Dozier and Lassen County Librarian Miriam Colcord approached the board. They had been approved funding to build a Carnegie Library, as long as the County would provide a building site. The women requested a lot on the north side of the courthouse, which at that time was under construction. The board informed the women they would take it under advisement, which was the polite way to say no. More then a century later, the board still uses that lingo.
Main Street, Susanville, October 1924—Boyd Benham/Connie Boomer
With Election Day just around the corner, its only fitting to have a local history story. There was a time, and not that long ago, the City of Susanville elections were a stand alone proposition, not consolidated with Lassen County Elections.
The 1924 the City had 604 eligible voters for the upcoming City Council, with three seats up for election. Only 80 went to the polls. A rather dismal figure to say the least. It got worse. In 1930, only eighteen voters cast their vote in that City Council Election. Those poll workers had a very long and enduring day. If there was a bright side to that election, it only took one minute and three seconds to canvass the election!
This movement is different than many secession movements. Instead of forming a new state, like the proposed Jefferson movement, this would change the state boundaries. In this particular instant expanding the boundaries of Idaho. The group called Move Oregon’s Border initially focused on southeastern Oregon counties of Klamath, Lake, Harney and Malheur. Upon greater consideration it was decided to make Greater Idaho’s to extend to the Pacific Ocean to include Jackson and Curry Counties. Finally, why stop there? In their latest proposal includes the California counties of Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, Trinity, Tehama and parts of Lassen and Plumas.
In 1912, when Red River Lumber Company began construction of its company town of Westwood, Lassen County officials did not know what quite to expect. Lassen County had experience with planned communities, such as Standish, but none of these proposals ever came to full frutition that the promoters envisioned. Westwood was entirely a different proposition. County officials were relieved that all of this development would not only cost the county any money, but its tax base mushroomed beyond their wildest dreams. The county was spared every expense, even the deputy sheriff, Red River paid that salary.
The good times would not last forever. By the early 1930s Red River was in a serious financial crisis. The days of a company town would soon only exist as a memory. Red River’s company owned businesses would be no more, those enterprises leased to outsiders. In the fall of 1934, Red River and Lassen County began working on the transition wherein the county would be responsible in maintaining the streets of Westwood. On November 10, 1934 Red River deeded over the streets of Westwood to the County of Lassen, however for reasons unknown the county did not accept the deed until September 1935.
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J.W. Fritter (left) and John Hamilton (right) at Fritter’s peach orchard, Eagle Lake—-Rev. C.R. Fritter
One never knows what I stumble across in my research. While reviewing the Lassen County Board of Supervisor’s minutes in regards to a topic on Westwood, I came across a rather unusual bill submitted to the county. Shortly after the death of her father, J.W. Fritter, Mrs. S. Pinola of 130 18th Street, Pacific Grove submitted a bill to the county to help defray her father’s funeral expenses. It should be noted that Fritter resided at Eagle Lake from 1884 to 1932, at which time he moved to Pacific Grove. Fritter did serve a term as a Lassen County Board of Supervisor from 1902-1906. The Board of Supervisors at their September 3, 1935 obliged and instructed the County Auditor to issue a warrant to Mrs. Pinola for $40. I have never come across a particular incident like this. What makes it even more bizarre was the Fritter and his daughter were not even Lassen County residents!
Remains of the Fritter ranch house at Eagle Lake, 1984
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We are now in prime time hunting season, so I thought this would be a appropriate topic. Many may not realize there was a time when Fish & Game Wardens were a appointed county employee. In 1895, California Assembly Bill. No. 148 was passed that the Board of Supervisors of each county may appoint a Fish & Game Warden, to serve a two-year term. Depending on the county’s classification determined the salary. For most of the state the salary was fifty dollars a month. One of the requirements is that the game warden provide quarterly reports to the Board of Supervisors giving a detailed statement of all arrests made, convictions had, fines collected and any other matters. Frank P. Cady served as the Lassen County Fish & Game Warden for many years. However, I have never come across the quarterly reports. Yet, on the other hand I have located County Horticultural Reports, Medical Officers Report. After World War I Assembly Bill 148 was repealed, wherein the local game warden was done through the State.
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While national news headlines occur nearly daily about the removal of statutes commemorating Confederate leaders, I thought I would provide a brief glimpse of some Civil War matters that occurred locally in the 1860s.
The Honey Lake Justice Court case files provides an interesting glimpse. There were three note worthy cases that appeared on the docket. The first involved Charles Mulkey. On November 9, 1863, Mulkey was noted for his open and boisterous cheering on the streets of Susanville for Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States. Criminal charges were filed against him. He pled guilty and was fined $25.
Meanwhile down in the Tule Confederacy, now better known as the Standish district, matters became a bit more turbulent. The region was experiencing quite an influx of settlers, causing boundary disputes and claim jumpers. DeWitt Chandler had his problems with these skirmishes with his neighbors George and John Purcell. The first incident occurred on December 22, 1863 when George Purcell was burning tules when the fire spread and destroyed one of Chandler’s haystacks. It was Chandler’s contention that the fire was intentional and related to Purcell’s loyalty to the Confederate States. Purcell was arrested and brought to trial where a jury found him not guilty. The following spring John Purcell set fire to Chandler’s house, claiming it a victory for the Confederate States. However, there is no record of the results of the charges of the incident. Yet, there is an irony in the tale and that is in August 1864 John Purcell lodged a complaint with the District Attorney seeking the arrest of John H. Harbin who publicly denounced the United States and proclaimed allegiance to the Confederate States.
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On my way back from the Susanville Cemetery after taking flowers there for Memorial Day, one can see the a portion of the roof of the old Lassen County Jail has caved in.
The building was shuttered in 1971 and has since become a “political football” of sorts. Numerous groups over the years have presented proposals to preserve the jail built in 1911. County officials on the other hand would listen, but no action taken. There is a bit of irony in this saga, as currently the county courthouse, next to the jail is going through a $8.4 million rehabilitation process.
The front of the jail, May 27, 2020.
At least the front of the jail appears to be holding its own. Many may not realize that it has been used as a backdrop of weddings performed at the Courthouse.
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Locally, the $64,000 question has been what is going on with the excavation of the old Fruit Growers/Sierra Pacific millpond site adjacent to Riverside Drive. Some readers may recall that in the Spring of 2018 I wrote about the property being placed on the market by Smith Properties. The property falls under county jurisdiction. As it has been relayed the property is being prepared as a parcel split—a joint venture of Hat Creek Construction and Nobles Construction. However, certain procedures have not been followed. I will bring this matter up at Tuesday’s June 2, Lassen County Planning Commission meeting, since certain officials have not responded to my request.
Fruit Growers Supply Company, 1936
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Rayl was one of the many railroad communities wherein the the founder had grandiose plans. Rayl was located at the crossing of two railroads—the NCO and Western Pacific. It is now known today as Herlong. Initially, Stanley Rayl who took over the 40-acre parcel of the former town of Cromwell, had no plans, other than the initial construction of a combination store and hotel.
World War I changed Rayl’s perspective and he prepared an extensive study and lobbied that this location for a proposed military training camp. While not successful, his work was not forgotten and it laid the foundation of the Sierra Ordnance Depot. While the title of property indicated it was sold in 1942, to the Standard Electrical Signal Company for $1,000 the deal fell apart and reverted back to Rayl who died in 1945. In the meantime, the federal government condemned the property for use by the army for the Sierra Ordnance Depot. Rayl’s widow opposed the government’s offer of 10 cents an acre. What was interesting former Lassen County Assessor, Frank Wemple and Lassen County Surveyor T.W. Ogilvie testified on behalf of Mrs. Rayl. Wemple stated the county had it assessed for $2.50 an acre. Both Wemple and Ogilvie went one step further and stated it was actually worth $4.50 an acre almost double of the assessed valuation. It is not clear what the final outcome of what the widowed Rayl was finally compensated.
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