When Lassen Union High School was torn down in 1968, there were a myriad of reasons that it needed to be replaced, which is a story in itself. Whatever the case may be, many in the community were not happy.
Bank of America, 1972.
The next iconic structure in Susanville to be demolished came a few years later that of the Bank of America building on the corner of Main and North Gay Streets—now a parking lot. Awhile back, some one asked me why it was torn down. To be quite honest I do not know, and structure was barely fifty years old. It was stated at the time, and it was nationwide, for a modern look. If any one knows the particulars, please share.
The second short-lived bank building.
Its replacement, a bland building, was short-lived and demolished in 1978. It was just not functional, and a drive thru window caused problems with cars being backed up on Main Street, among other issues.
Lately, in the news is the Susanville Symphony’s proposal before the City about the acquisition of Sierra Theater for a Performing Arts Center. While it is an ambitious undertaking, there are a few caveats—can it sustain itself? After all, anyone who has been involved community organizations, they experience peaks and valleys, and in some instances fold, for many reasons. A common thread is that it is usually a handful of dedicated people that keeps an organization alive.
Anyhow, while the Susanville Symphony has been around for awhile, it was not the first of its kind locally. In the 1930s it was the Susanville Symphonietta Orchestra. During the 1960s and 1970s it was the Susanville Community Concert series.
Known today as the Susanville Ranch Park, for many years it was the John T. Long Ranch.
Yesterday, we explored possible developments at Susanville Ranch Park. Today, we explore its agricultural history.
In November 1855, Moses Mason claimed this property and became the second person to file a land claim in the Honey Lake Valley. It is interesting to note that Peter Lassen & Company had located in the valley in June 1855, Lassen never filed a claim to his property. Who Mason was we may never know.
On September 12, 1856, William Weatherlow located on Mason’s abandoned claim and lived there until his death in 1864. William B. Long purchased the property from Weatherlow’s Estate. Long would soon have neighbors. In the mid-1870s, Abner and Margaret Van Buren settled to the west of Long, where he planted a small apple orchard. In the early 1880s, James Bagwell located at the north of Long where a spring bears his name By 1898, William B. Long’s son, John T., had not only purchased Van Buren’s and Bagwells’ properties, but that of his father. He consolidated these lands into one ranch. On June 2, 1913, Long, heavily in debt with his extensive ranch properties and a slaughterhouse in San Francisco, deeded this property to Alexander & Knoch, whom he owed $13,362.11. Alexander & Knoch, in turn, sold it to the McKissick Cattle Company, who then sold it to Fruit Growers Supply Company.
A historic view near present site of Susanville Ranch Park parking lot/trail head.. Courtesy of Hank Martinez
Susanville is fortunate to have the Bizz Johnson Trail on the south side of town and Susanville Ranch Park with multiple trails on the north side of town. Each has their own unique story how they evolved. Today, we focus on Susanville Ranch Park.
The first person to examine the property for non-agricultural purposes was T.B.Walker, founder of the Red River Lumber Company. In 1912, the Walker family had a heated debate. as to their permanent mill, though a site had been selected at Mountain Meadows. T.B. Walker had given considerable thought to this particular site. However, as we known Mountain Meadows would win over, and the town of Westwood became a reality,
The ranch as it appeared in 1922, when Fruit Growers owned it.
In 1919, enter Fruit Growers Supply Company when they were scouting around for a mill site. That company went one step further and purchased the property for while undecided one the site, they wanted the water rights to Bagwell Springs. While Fruit Growers chose a different Susanville location, they retained the property. After all it would be beneficial for pasture for horses, a then an important component in logging. Fruit Growers then established a dairy there. It was brief, and it was a leased to the Okelly family who operated Lassen Dairy there for several decades.
In 1934, Fruit Growers offered to sell the ranch to the City of Susanville. Fruit Growers cited it would make an ideal golf course, that the money received from the golf course could be used to develop the remainder of the property into a park. The City liked the idea, but said no. In 1935, Fruit Growers sold the ranch to the Republic Electric Power Company who wanted to acquire Bagwell Springs as an additional water supply for Susanville. Over the years, that Company went through numerous reorganizations and became CP National. In 1984, CP National donated the ranch to Lassen County, and it is now a county park.
An interesting footnote to the story is that Lassen Community College examined the property for a future campus back in the 1960s, but the asking price was too expensive at $3,500.
Cover of Susanville’s first telephone directory.—Mathews family
In the spring of 1910, a new telephone company for the region was established—the California Northern Telephone & Telegraph Company. The principal figures behind the company were W.E. Hills, Scott Hendricks and A.J. Mathews. Their mission was to provide for long distance telephone service for northeastern California. On October 4, 1910 the City of Susanville granted the company a fifty-year franchise. In return the City received free phone service for the fire hall, marshal’s office and two-percent of the gross annual receipts.
In the summer and fall of 1910, company invested $30,000 to construct a telephone line from Susanville to Big Meadows (today Lake Almanor) and onward to Quincy. On September 12, 1911, the entire sysrem was completed, with hookups throughout the Honey Lake Valley. On that date, Susanville residents could call long distance anywhere in California! At the Susanville office, three operators were hired. Such operators were generally known as “hello girls.” Those initial operators were Nina Turnbaugh, Lucille Pearce and Eva Lanigar. The first two worked the day shift and the latter the night shift. Telephone operators would be referred to as “hello girls” until the advent of World War II. In 1951, the operator’s job became easier with direct dialing, when rotary dial telephones were introduced in Susanville.
Lassen Grain & Milling Company, circa 1918. Courtesy of Dick & Helen Harrison
One of the inquiries received from the Ask Tim segment was for photographs of the old Honey Lake Feed Store on Richmond Road that was located across the Susanville Southern Pacific Depot.
Honey Lake Feed, 21 October 1978
It was built in 1917. At that time there was only one flour mill in operation, that was located at Janesville. It should be duly noted it was only in operation during harvest time. When Lassen Grain & Milling opened the Janesville Flour mill closed down permanently.
Honey Lake Feed building as seen from Inspiration Point, circa 1980–David Bricker
I do not have my notes handy, but if, and that is a big if, if memory serves me correctly Lassen Grain was acquired by Bronson &Doyle in 1929. In the 1940s, the flour mill portion ceased operation. The building was destroyed by fire in the early 1980s.
Flood waters from breached earthen fill trestle, April 1938. Courtesy of Betty B. Deal
Construction of the line was stalled during the early 1930s, while Red River went through its financial reorganization. Finally, in July 1933, construction began at the west end near Hog Flat. A station was established where the Piute line connected with the Southern Pacific, and named Blair, after Kenneth Walker’s wife. At Hog Flat, Red River established logging camp #2. That summer Red River logged eight million board feet of timber and sold it to Fruit Growers. The following year the line was extended further east to Big Springs, and Camp #8 was established.
The year 1935 was a pivotal one for the Piute. Early in the year it was announced Red River would complete the line to Susanville—a distance of twelve miles from its terminus at Worley Ranch to the Fruit Growers plant. Continue reading Piute Logging Railroad – Part II→
The completion of the Western Pacific’s highline in 1931 was not the only railroad development to make news. In the 1930s, Red River’s most unusual railroad logging line, the Piute, came to fruition—so named as it followed Piute Creek in its approach to Susanville.
Red River owned a large swath of timber west and north of Susanville. While they had already logged over its easily accessible timber in Mountain Meadows and Lake Almanor, the Piute line was not intended to service Westwood. The Piute was built to generate much needed revenue to sell timber to other parties, such as Fruit Growers and Lassen Lumber & Box. However, they had a back-up plan; should Red River’s timber sales fall flat, they could mill the timber at Westwood. Continue reading The Piute Logging Railroad→
200 S. Roop St., Susanville, July 20, 2016. Courtesy of Annie Henriques Blank
Recently, three historic homes in Susanville are now on the market. There is the original McGowan residence on South Roop Street, picture above. It was built in 1924, for the president of the Lassen Lumber & Box Company.
The Taylor/Compton House, Weatherlow Street—Jere Baker
The Taylor residence on North Weatherlow Street, and subsequently owned Dr.C. Compton is now on the market. A short distance from that property is the original home of Thomas Hill built in 1913.
Fruit Growers Susanville plant under construction, 1920–Ed Standard
Saturday, April 16, 1921 was the dedication of Fruit Growers Supply Company’s new mill facility at Susanville. Of course, there was usual amount dignitaries on hand to celebrate the moment and give speeches. Thomas B. Dozier, a Fruit Growers’ attorney served as master of ceremonies. Dozier’s opening statement was simple, “We will supply the boxes from the Snowkist woods for shipment of Sunkist—all from California.” Dozier informed those assembled that the California Fruit Growers Exchange (renamed Sunkist in 1951) represented 10,500 growers, who produced three-quarters of the citrus in the United States.
