The establishment of a library was a slow, tedious process. In 1906, one of the earliest attempts to form a library came about when some civic minded people formed the Susanville Library Association. Their initial goal was to establish a Reading Room.  Through the generosity of Charles Emerson he donated a room in his hotel for this worthy enterprise. However, the organization struggled and by 1908 it had been disbanded.

There was hope on the horizon when in 1912 a group of civic minded women formed the Monticola Club. In the fall of 1914, Lottie Cahlan of the Monticola Club reported that preparations were being made for. Reading Room in the newly constructed Del Mar building on the corner of Main & Roop Streets. They would have the expense of rent at $40 per month, in addition to lighting costs. The city agreed to assist with some of the expenditures. Members donated furniture and books. Each member donated one day a month to volunteer in the Reading Room to assist patrons, who could examine a newspaper, magazines or books. The Monticola was not finished. With their momentum by the fall of 1915 they had convinced the Lassen County Board of Supervisors to form the Lassen County Free Library.

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Mark your calendars for April 1 when Margie’s Book Nook celebrates forty years in business. The store had its humble beginning at 28 North Lassen Street, next to Fred’s Barbershop. Several years later, the store needed to expand and moved a block away to 35 North Gay Street. After several years passed, the store again needed more room. Another move, not quite a block away to the current location at 722 Main Street, next to The Pioneer.

I am not sure all the festivities planned for Saturday, April 1 but will be a lot of fun. More information and some of the store’s history can be found their Facebook page.

Tim

In the spring of 1928, the newly formed Susanville Businessmen’s Association first undertaking was to review the City of Susanville’s finances. It was in their opinion, operating the city was just too costly. A committee of five—L.R. Cady, B.F. Lyle, Hardin Barry, A.J. Mathews, J.A. Pardee—were appointed to investigate the matter.

In their report, they wrote: “There has been a general idea that the cost of our city government is excessive. Your committee secured comparative figures from towns of somewhat similar characteristics, such as Alturas, Yreka, Nevada City and Lakeview, Oregon. In each instance although the cost of city government in these towns was materially lower than the cost of the administration of affairs of Susanville, in the brief time at our disposal it was impossible to make an intelligent comparison in as much as it appears that possibly Susanville is receiving a service such as the other towns in question do not apply. Whether or not we are getting the value received for the money expended is difficult to determine without a more thorough investigation, therefore we would respectfully recommend to the incoming board of trustees that they give this matter such necessary attention as will permit them to arrive at an intelligent conclusion with reference to the cost of government in Susanville.”

In the end, they had a hidden agenda. They did not like the special property assessment for the paving of streets and for sidewalks. However, in time, they realized having paved streets and sidewalks was a worthwhile investment.

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This Eastman postcard I purchased awhile back on Ebay, the price in my range of $5.79. There were several items after reviewing allowed me to figure out when it was taken. The Christian Science Church on the corner of Mill and South Lassen Streets was constructed in 1938. Also built that year, was the Purity Grocery Store on South Lassen Street across from the Methodist Church. Both buildings, by the way, still exist, just under different ownership.

On South Roop Street, where the current Lassen Municipal Utility District building is located, appears as a vacant lot. Work on the construction of that building started in the fall of 1939. It should be noted that building was originally constructed for Safeway.

Tim