Yesterday’s post was about the early origins of the St. Francis Hotel. Some one wanted to know about the west addition. Here is that information below, as well as what the building originally looked like for comparison.
St. Francis Hotel, circa 1919. Courtesy of Art Almeda
During the 1920s, Susanville’s population nearly tripled. Hotel accommodations were scarce, especially after the Emerson Hotel was destroyed in a 1915. In August 1925, the St. Francis Hotel announced its intention to construct a three-story addition. While it added only an additional nine rooms, it allowed for the lobby to be enlarged, as well as the restaurant facilities. The $25,000 project was constructed by the firm Woodward & Grebe, It should be noted that noted Nevada architect, Frederick deLonghamps designed the original hotel, as well as the addition.
St. Francis Hotel, circa 1919. Courtesy of Art Almeda
Unfortunately, this historic hotel has been shuttered for a number of years. Who knows what its future fate may be. This about the origins of the hotel.
In 1907, Franceska Murrer Neuhaus, with her husband, Ben, retired from their Willow Creek Valley ranch and moved to Susanville. Not to be idle, she kept busy investing in several commercial enterprises. In 1913, flush with money from the sale of the ranch, to her son, Edward Murrer, she had one more venture to undertake. At this time, she hired Nevada architect Frederick deLongchamps to design a hotel at corner of Main and Union Streets.* She named her new enterprise the St. Francis Hotel. Franceska was well versed in the innkeeping business. For years, the Neuhaus home in Willow Creek was well known for its hospitality to accommodate travelers. Her daughter, Rose Bagin, operated hotels at Hayden Hill and Susanville. Rose’s home in Susanville happened to be conveniently located behind the St. Francis, and her elaborate flower garden complimented the hotel. When the St. Francis opened its doors in 1914, Franceska’s son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Flora Neuhaus managed it.
*deLongchamps first Susanville building was the Lassen County Jail completed in 1911.
The July 4, 1906 parade with the city/fire hall in the background—Lola L. Tanner
In 1884, the Lassen County Board of Supervisors created the Susanville Fire District—it had authority to levy tax assessment for fire protection. In the course of time, the district needed a home to not only store its various equipment—hose cart and hoses—but a place to meet and for the volunteers to train. In the fall of 1891 the district advertised for proposals for a fire hall and received three bids. On November 19, 1891, the district accepted James P. Keener’s offer of a lot and to build a hall on North Lassen Street. To adorn the fire hall, Keener constructed a 50-foot-bell tower. It was now the town’s tallest landmark. Keener specifically constructed it that way, so when the bell was rung it could be heard throughout the town.
In 1900, when the City of Susanville incorporated, it became the town’s combination city/fire hall. It is rather ironic the building was destroyed by fire in 1921. On a final note, I have never been able to locate a good photograph of the building.
On January 6, 1924, Susanville’s new city hall was dedicated. It was estimated that nearly a quarter of the town’s population turned out for the occasion.
The original city/fire hall was destroyed by fire on November 7, 1921. More about the history of that structure later. The City Trustees (today referred to as Council) had many pressing issues to contend with and decided to take their time with the construction of a new city hall. In the spring of 1923, they hired noted Nevada architect Frederick DeLongchamps to design a new building. (Some local buildings designed by DeLongchamps include the Del Mar, St. Francis Hotel and the Lassen County Jail).
In October 1922, voter’s approved a $20,000 bond measure to pay for a new combination city/fire hall. Alas, DeLongchamps’ plan carried a $30,000 price tag, along with an additional $5,000 to furnish it. The Trustees’ were reluctant to go back to the voters to approve an additional $15,000 bond measure, but had no other choice. On June 26, 1923 voters approved the additional funding 146 to 14. On August 18, 1923 Woodward & Grebe were awarded the contract to construct the two-story concrete building.
City hall has undergone numerous changes in the past 100 years. The most notable occurred in 2000., during the City’s Centennial. Not only did the building go through a complete retrofitting, but 3,250 square feet was added to the structure. The integrity of the historic facade was kept intact. It was an expensive proposition that cost $1,323,752.
On a final footnote, in late January 1924, the City thanked the Lassen County Board of Supervisors for useage of the County Courthouse that allowed them to hold meetings for the last two years.
The first bona fide newspaper the Sage Brush made its debut on the streets of Susanville on July 15, 1865. This was a substantial undertaking since Lassen County may have had barely a thousand residents. It should be noted that the County of Lassen subsidized the publication at $100 a month until it was able to sustain it on its own.
It was a typical rural press newspaper. It was four pages in size, published weekly. A Washington hand press was used, and the type set by hand.
The newspaper’s founder, A.C. Longmore remained at the helm until August 10, 1867 when he sold it to A.T. Bruce. Bruce’s ownership was short-lived and sold the paper in the fall to John C. Partridge. Partridge changed the name to the Lassen Sage Brush. Yet, besides operating the newspaper, he had many other interests. He spent five years as a U.S. Deputy Surveyor and did many of initial Government Land Office surveys of northern Lassen County, as well as Modoc County. Because his work as a surveyor required him to be away for long periods of time, he sold a half interest in the newspaper to George Pierce. It did not work out well, by June 3, 1871, Partridge was once again sole proprietor. In March 1872, he brought in another partner, D.C. Slater, who also happened to be his brother-in-law. More changes were on the horizon when on January 4, 1873, displayed an entirely new format. Not only that, but a new name as well—The Lassen Advocate. The Advocate would chronicle the news of the region until 1987 when it closed due to bankruptcy.
The arch was a temporary affair, and a windstorm two weeks later, blew it over.
Community archways have been around for a long time. Of course, in this region the best known one is the Reno Arch, which the first one dates back to 1928. Susanville had its own Arch, even though it was short-lived.
1913 a new fraternal organization was organized–Susanville Lodge 1397, Loyal Order of Moose, commonly referred to as the Moose Lodge. They decided to hold a Harvest Festival in conjunction with California’s Admission Day, September 9.
It was a four day festival. On the northwest corner of Main and Gay Streets (the former Bank of America parking lot, now owned by LMUD) an open air pavilion was constructed, where many activities were held. To give the event a special festive air, the lodge constructed an arch over Main Street at the Gay Street intersection.
M. Moses was the second claim recorded in Roop’s Land Register. He settled on present day Susanville Ranch Park and referred to Piute Creek as Smith’s Creek.
This small stream a tributary to Susan River is approximately ten miles in length. For a brief period it was originally known as Smith’s Creek, who and why it was so named such we may never be known.
Another peculiarity is the spelling of Piute. Back in the 1850s and 1860s that was how the Anglo settlers of the western Great Basin spelt the name for the Native American tribe now referred to as Paiute.
Piute Creek was also the source for the original water supply for Susanville. It would be replaced with what is now known as Cady Springs in the Susan River Canyon.
Flood waters from breached earthen fill trestle, April 1938. Courtesy of Betty B. Deal
In 1935, the Red River Lumber Company completed its railroad logging line known as the Piute that traversed a portion of the canyon the creek flows through. Just above Desmond Meadows, the Piute line crossed Piute Creek. In an effort to save money, Red River decided to forgo a wooden trestle, and substitute an earthen fill. It was a rather substantial one at that, being over twenty-five feet tall. The winter of 1937-38, was one for the record books. By the end of March, 1938, the spring run-off was in earnest. The earthen fill at Desmond Meadows was equipped with a culvert to handle the stream flow. It was no match for this type of heavy water flow and then the culvert became blocked with debris, creating a substantial reservoir. As one eyewitness observed, this newly created lake extended back 300 feet from the fill with an estimated depth over twenty feet. On April 9, the fill breached, sending a wall of water downstream creating havoc in its path and washing away segments of the Piute railroad tracks into the fields of its dairy property now known as Susanville Ranch Park. In the aftermath, Red River decided not to repair the destroyed trackage. Red River took its time salvaging the line, since the company had given consideration to abandon railroad logging. In the 1940s, the abandoned railroad grade was converted into the Paul Bunyan Logging road.
During the winter months, I spend some time cataloging documents and photographs. A tedious chore, but one that has to be done. With that in mind, I came across two 1947 photographs of the aftermath of the fire that destroyed Susanville’s Hotel Mt. Lassen. Since the cement walls were structurally sound, the hotel was rebuilt.
Hotel Mt. Lassen, 1947
The Hotel Mt. Lassen has now been closed for well over a decade. The current realtor has a firm asking price of $1.7 million. Last summer, I happen to had a discussion with a building contractor who inspected the hotel on the urging of the realtor. It was the contractor’s opinion that it would cost at least $3 million to put in back into operation. With inflation since then, the cost is probably higher. It appears the hotel will sit vacant for a long, long time.
The name Orpheum was practically a generic name for theaters across the country, and Susanville was of no exception. The Orpheum located at 804 Main Street was constructed in 1913. It was a multi-functional building and when completed housed the town’s first movie theater. It should be noted that the first movies to be shown in Susanville occurred in 1907. When the Orpheum first opened, movies were shown usually two to three nights a week. Besides showing movies, the building was the scene of numerous dances and other activities. Whatever the case may be, it became one of the most popular social hubs in town. It should also be noted, that the basement of the Orpheum housed a bakery.
In 1921, the Orpheum had competition when the Liberty Theater opened at the present site of Sierra Theater. The Orpheum adapted and at times had a skating rink and bowling alley. Many a civic organization held meetings and social fundraisers there.
However, times were changing and fifty years later the Orpheum had outlived its original purpose. On May 16, 1963, Paul Langslet had the building demolished for a used car lot.
The B.R. Zimmerman residence, 310 N. Roop St., Susanville.
1912 was an exciting time in Susanville with the anticipation of the arrival of the railroad. There was a housing building boom. There were more houses constructed in Susanville in 1912, than the previous eleven years combined! It also ushered in a new architectural style, the bungalow, and the days of the Queen Anne were over.
Interior of the Zimmerman residence. Both photographs courtesy of the B.R. Zimmerman Collection
Another unique change was financing, as was with the case of the B.R.Zimmerman residence at 310 North Roop Street, Susanville. Built in 1913. Instead of using a traditional bank Zimmerman financed the residence through a local home building and savings loan company.
