There were several journalists endeavors in Susanville over the years. They were usually short-lived. One of theses the Susanville Daily News that made its debut on June 9, 1936. It was actually the reincarnation of the Daily Reminder. The Reminder was a mimeographed publication while the Daily News introduced readers to lithography.Percy Dunkle was the publisher and Richard Long, the editor. Dunkle was formerly associated with Lassen Mail newspaper and he had the financial backing of Ike Knoch.

There are some interesting articles and advertisements which we will explore. Of course, there was a customary golf articles, as golfing was all the rage that the local press called them the divot diggers..

Tim

For years, Susanville residents wanted two amenities, a public park and  a municipal swimming pool. While there was a greater Susanville, the Milwood Tract and the Lassen Lumber district, they were outside the city’s boundaries and county was reluctant to provide basic services, let alone contribute a park or pool.

It was Frank O’Kelly who worked diligently for a municipal swimming pool. It should be noted he operated Lassen Dairy on property leased from Fruit Growers, north of town, which is now known Susanville Ranch Park. In 1934 O’Kelly approached the City to convert the Fruit Growers ranch property into a recreational facility. It would include a swimming pool, golf course, picnic area and playgrounds. Since Bagwell Springs was located on the property, there was ample water supply. The Susanville Rotary Club liked the idea and passed a resolution for the park’s development. Construction of the facilities could be done with labor from the State Emergency Relief Administration (SERA) crew. There was one problem with the proposal. Fruit Growers owned the property and it was not interested in leasing or donating.

O’Kelly, undaunted by that setback continued with his quest for a community pool. It was finally suggested to submit this project to the Works Projects Administration (WPA). In January 1936, City Engineer, Harry S. Riddell was instructed to draft plans for the WPA for a municipal pool. The WPA approved the project with an estimated cost of $28,433. It was decided to construct the pool behind Roosevelt Elementary School on Richmond Road. On October 30, 1936, groundbreaking ceremonies were held. It would take longer than the 1937 date anticipated for completion, due to the lack of eligible WPA workers. The Roosevelt Pool officially opened on April 17, 1938. Many years later. on December 22,2004, the City condemned it, due to structural concerns about the building it was demolished in 2015.

Support

The American Legion building also known as the Veterans Memorial Hall marks its cenentinial today. The $30,000 strucuture was designed by local architect Ralph Taylor. The contractor was T.J. Rees of Fallon, Nevada who was in Susanville constructing the Hotel Mt. Lassen.

The dedication was a spectacular event. The local American Legion Post, Thomas Tucker Post 204 was hosting the California American Legion Convention. A truly amazing feat that drew 2,700 visitors to Susanville.

Tim

Seasoned residents will remember this as the old Spalding Drug Building. In its later years it was known as The Bootery. It was destroyed by fire on January 5, 2005. In the spring of that year the building’s remnants was bulldozed.

Since that time it has remained a vacant lot. From time to time there has been discussions as to what to do with it, but that has been the extent of it.

Tim

On August 12, 1912, Jules Alexander, Ike Knoch, J.A. Pardeeand J.E. Pardee formed the Lassen Townsite Company aka Greater Susanville.*  With the arrival of the railroad boom times lied ahead. This was no ordinary subdivision, but the town’s largest ever since. It encompassed an area four times of the original incorporated city limits. The subdivision included all the territory east of Richmond Road and south of Susan River to Johnstonville Road, near present Eagle Post Office, and for a southern boundary, the agricultural lands of Sierra StreetThe Lassen Townsite kept the price of their lots at $100 each, with a minimal down payment and am easy installment plan. Asan extra incentive for buyers, they would not responsible for their property taxes until they had paid for their lots.

An added bonus for Lassen Townsite they prevented speculators from developing d tlwnsite along the railroad corridor that would be detrimental to the Susanville business district. Some examples are Standish and Litchfiled Bieber and NuBieber. I hope in further installments to scan images the company’s brochure.

Tim

*It should be noted these gentlemen a year prior attempted to rename Susanville to Lassen.

On the 100 block of Susanville’s South Lassen Street are two buildings well over a century old that are distinctive of each other, but had common owner, George McDow.

In 1911, McDow next to his residence had an office constructed to house the Lassen Abstract Company, the first land title office in Lassen County. Lassen Abstract operated for nearly fifty years, whose owners at the end where Art Anderson and George Pancera with Electa Lazard who managed the operations.

In 1935 Carlos Lucero purchased the McDow residence and remodeled it into a mortuary which is still used as such, though it has undergone numerous ownerships.

Tim