Lassen Union High School, Class of 1922—Betty B. Deal
It is “Pomp and Circumstance” season across the country. Locally, it began with the commencement ceremony at Lassen College on May 27. It was then followed by the various elementary school districts and culminating with the high schools—Big Valley, Herlong, Lassen and Westwood. Congratulations to all those graduates, especially since they experienced some challenging times that few had ever to deal with—Covid 19. Do I have any wisdom to share? Well maybe and it might not be the best, since it was a long time ago when I graduated from Lassen High, I think the wisest decision is just not to say anything.
Some things never change and politics and schools is one. I can verify this first hand, having served as a trustee on the Lassen College Board. The stories I could write about that ten year tenure—Mormon Massacre anyone?
Today’s story is about an odd short-lived or should I say a ghost school district in Big Valley—Pioneer. Its name is rather peculiar since a half dozen schools in that region had already been established.
On August 23, 1887, residents on the west side of the Pleasant Butte School requested that a new district be established on the grounds: “The School House being so situated now that the greater portion of the Schollars in the Division we mention cannot attend the greater portion of the time on account of the Sloughs being full of water.” On September 27, 1887, Myra Parks, Lassen County Superintendent of Schools, informed the Lassen County Board of Supervisors that she personally inspected the conditions and recommended the Pioneer District be formed, that creating a new district would not be detrimental to Pleasant Butte. In October 1887, the request was granted.
Then things got weird. In January 1888, the Pleasant Butte School District residents on the east side petitioned the Board of Supervisors to rescind its action that had created the Pioneer School. They stated that the original petition provided “fake, fraudulent and misleading facts.” At the February 1888 meeting of the Board of Supervisors, approved their request and the Pioneer School District was abolished.
When the trustees of Lassen Union High School made the decision to a build a new school, time was of the essence. Glenn Wemple, who was on the board, informed me that they did not want to make the same mistake as what happened to the Orland High School. These types of school hold a tremendous amount of emotional attachment in their respective community. Orland moved slow and it created a great deal of anger and resentment.
Akol & Associates of San Francisco were hired as the architects for the new school. The estimated cost to construct a new campus on site of the existing was $2,317,410. It would be done in two phases. For Phase One, bids were required to be submitted no later than April 12, 1967. Five bids were received and initially the trustees took no action. A week later, the trustees rejected all bids. New bids were solicited for no later than May 15. On May 16, 1967 the trustees accepted the bid of C&J Construction Company of Reno, Nevada. On Friday afternoon, June 23, 1967 a groundbreaking ceremony was held behind the main school building.
In the fall of 1882, W.H. Sifford led the effort for a new school district on the west side of Honey Lake. The two nearest schools were nearly five miles away in either direction—Milford to the south and Lake to the north. In May 1883, the Oak Grove School District became a reality. The nucleus of the student population came from Clark, Decious and Raker families. It should be noted that the Wales, Wilburs, Lindsay, Fisher and Grass families also contributed to the student population. Like so many rural schools in 1920, the enrollment had declined to such an extent it was closed. In 1922, with no indication that the school would be resurrected, it was annexed to the Lake School District. The school was torn down in February 1926.
In 1952, the Johnstonville School went through a remodel “modernitzation” process with an addition to the school, transforming from a one room school to two rooms. For reasons unknown, the school bell was removed. Five years later, in March 1957 that situation would be corrected. The bell all that time had been stored in a barn in the nearby Jenkins Ranch. Through the efforts of Johnstonville School Principal John White and School Board member Harry Reuck, they spent several days in putting the bell back in its original perch. In 1961, a new school was built to replace the original one that was constructed nearly a century ago.
This was a query received about the past and present Lassen High School buildings. For a certain amount of seasoned residents they still have a bit angst when the old school was torn down in 1968
Lassen High School, May 5, 2018–Jim Chapman
As Glenn Wemple, Class of 1948 relayed to me, as he served on the High School/College Board of trustees they were advised when it came time for demolition, to do it as quickly as possible because emotions in the community would become a very sensitive issue. The trustees took that advice and the old school was quickly demolished.
In 1908, the trustees of Lassen County High School ordered to have a fence built in front of the school. Its primary function was to keep stray livestock off the school grounds.
It should be noted that in Susanville during its early years had a problem with stray livestock roaming the community. It was so bad, that in 1870 the California Legislature passed “Barnes Hog Law”which prohibited free roaming pigs in Susanville. This was a major concern after all, since the town’s water supply came from Piute Creek and was distributed by open ditches.
Lake was one of the original six school districts established in 1864–the others being Susanville, Richmond, Susan River, Janesville and Long Valley. It was so named, due to its close proximity to Honey Lake and the school house was located some four miles south of Janesville.
In 1877, the District constructed a two-story schoolhouse with the assistance of the Independent Order of Good Templars. The second story was used as a hall for that organization, as well as others.In 1898, the student population was 31.
Numerous changes were on the horizon, especially with automobiles and highways. The second story no longer used by fraternal organizations. In 1934 the second story was removed as part of a WPA project. Francis Wilbur, a local carpenter was hired to do the work at a cost of $1,740. According to former student, Erma Reuck McNett, she stated during the renovation process school was held at the nearby Bailey Ranch.
Lake School as a private residence, February 7, 2016.
In 1953, a ballot referendum was held to consolidate the Janesville, Lake, and Missouri Bend schools. The Lake District voters opposed it. In 1971, the Lake School closed and annexed to Janesville. At the October 9, 1975, meeting of the Janesville School District Board declared the Lake School as surplus property, since the old school house would not meet current state building code standards for a school. The title to the property was a bit “cloudy”concerning a reversion clause. It was deemed that the property should revert back to the Bailey family. On October 17, 1975 it was deeded to George and Jane Bailey and the schoolhouse converted into a private residence.
Willow Creek School 1886–Alice Fritter Pendergrass
In the spring of 1871, the residents of Willow Creek Valley constructed and operated a private school at the west end of the valley near the Murrer Ranch. Miss Fanny Lovell was employed to teach the first classes. In June 1871, residents petitioned the Lassen County Board of Supervisors for the formation of a school district and that was granted. At that time it was one of the largest school districts, land wise. It included Grasshopper Valley, the Madeline Plains and Horse Lake.
It was not until 1877, when John Dobler donated the land that the school was built on, with a stipulation that the property would revert back to him or his heirs when it was no longer used for a school. That would never happen. Continue reading Willow Creek Valley School District→
A year or two after the newly constructed Sierra Theater opened its doors in 1935, an annual Christmas event transpired. It was a special “Kiddies Day at the Matinee.” It was opportunity for all the school children of Susanville to have a special morning showing of movies, and given Christmas treats, as well. Various groups and businesses supported the event. This custom carried on for several decades.
