Secret Valley is located approximately thirty-five miles northeast of Susanville. In the late 1880s, the region saw a surge in population with homesteaders arriving with the expectations of great things to happen by promoters of some reclamation projects.  Thus, on May 6, 1890, the Secret Valley School was established.

During the late 1920s and early 1930s the school was known for its unusual schedule—it operated during the summer and was closed from November to February. The school closed in 1938. The last graduating class consisted of Emelia Diaz and Ida Nye. In 1940 the school district was annexed to Soldier Bridge.

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The Riverside School was located near present day Leavitt Lake subdivision, which the area was referred to as Clinton. It was established on May 7, 1883, and was created from the eastern portion of the Johnstonville School District. The school remained in operation until 1958 when it was closed. During the mid-1960s, the schoolhouse was used as a day care center for handicapped  children. In the late 1970s, the schoolhouse was moved to Sunnyside Road and converted into a private residence.

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Lassen Advocate – 26 October 1944. New High School Paper to Appear Soon. A new high school paper to be called the “Cub Bark” is being issued at the Lassen Union High School this week under the sponsorship of the Journalism class. The new project is an attempt to take advantage of the high school students’ interest in news writing and will come out once a week. The traditional “Grizzly Growler,” parent of the smaller and more energetic publication, will assume new dignity by more careful edition plus the advantage of being printed in the Advocate print shop instead of being a mimeographed paper.

“The new “Growler” will endeavor to support itself by advertising. It is the intention of the administration of the paper to make it stand on its own worth of over five hundred readers and potential customers rather than on a donation basis by generous merchants. The business experience given to the students who publish is felt to be an invaluable and good education.”

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Willard Hill located some six miles west of Susanville was a popular winter sports venue. Its initial development came about through Lassen College’s Forestry Program inconjunction with the National Youth Administration. The latter provided each forestry student with not only academic training but to work in related forestry jobs. For their part-time work the students were paid $30 a month, however $20 a month was deducted for room and board in the converted Alpine Hotel dormitory. Continue reading Willard Hill →