California Division Forestry, local manager, William Mann announced that in the fall of 1946 that $35,000 had been allocated to establish a local headquarters. They had bounced from place to place and at the time were located near the Lassen County Hospital.

Of course, there is always a decision to locate a permanent site. They studied two options. The first was the corner of Main and Grand Avenue. Some thought it would compliment the adjoining Memorial Park that was underway. The other was a five acre parcel just west of Susanville along Highway 36. This option was hard to resist as it was available to the forestry division for free. That sealed the deal and construction began in the spring of 1947. It is interesting to note in 1916 it was the site of a state prison labor camp for the construction of Highway 36.

Tim

Note:  This is a perennial post, because in a rare instant, it is a viewpoint that has merit. After all, in the last two years between the Dixie and Sheep Fires portions of Susanville have experienced evacuation warnings.

In Susanville’s early years as an incorporated city, it was remarkable what the council did. One of their actions, I still support today, and that is the prohibition of fireworks. The first time they banned fireworks was in 1906, following the aftermath of the San Francisco earthquake and fire. It was also a nod to the insurance companies who suffered tremendous loss from that event. It was their belief, as well as many other communities, that this preventive measure would reduce the risk of fires.

In 1912, the City once again banned fireworks. The Lassen Advocate applauded the city and wrote: 21 June 1912 – “No Fireworks on the Fourth. We desire to congratulate our Board of Town Trustees on their action in placing the ban on all kinds of fireworks on July 2, 3, and 4. This action has been taken by large and progressive cities for years past, and we are greatly pleased to note that the smaller places are falling into line. Fireworks do no good and may do a world of harm. Fires may be started that will blot out blocks of cities or towns; little boys and girls all over the United States have lost fingers, hands eyes and in many instances, their lives from the dangerous pinwheel and firecrackers. Let them yell all they will, let them spend their money for ice cream, candy—anything on earth but the fireworks.”

In 1916, the Monticola Club appeared before the Susanville City Council asking for a ban of fireworks for the 4th of July. Their answer was no. The council assured that the utmost care would be done, but they were not going to deprive children of the festivities. In 1926, due to the tinder dry conditions,  the City banned fireworks for fire, health and safety reasons.

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During the late 1800s, Susanville had anywhere between one to four breweries at any given time. In the fall of 1864, German immigrant Jacob “Jake” Smith* opened his first of many breweries in Susanville. When he opened a particular brewery on May 27, 1879, he was met with some resistance.  At that time, a group of women formed a “temperance society” to educate the young people of the area the “evils of alcohol.” At this same time, Smith along with his wife Sophia, operated a hotel on Main Street, that was destroyed by fire in 1882.

*The actual spelling is Schmitt.

Tim

A reader wanted to know if Susanville was ever served by Greyhound Bus Lines. The answer is yes. However, my knowledge of its operations is extremely limited. Greyhound probably began service in the area by the1950s. Some time in the 1980s, it probably ceased. The last location was on North Sacramento Street across from the T&A. The agent then was Nels Wilhelm. If anyone can shed more light on this topic, it would be appreciated.

Tim

Susanville Rotary Club received its charter on Saturday. May 15, 1926. There were twenty-one charter members: M.D. Collins, Harry S. Coleman, Robert M. Cook, Henry M. Elliott, Dr. Gordon R. Fortson, Thomas E. Hunter, Hans P. Peterson, Arthur J. Mathews, Harry A. McBride, Charles McGowan, James A. Pardee, E.L. Shirley, Ernest W. Smith. John B. Spalding, John J. Woodward, Frank H. Bangham, Thomas W. Blight, Charles H. Bridges, L.R. Cady, B.D. Cardinal and Frank Coffin.

The following Wednesday the Rotary Club held its first luncheon meeting. There were a few kinks. Of the seventeen members present, they gathered at the Republic Grill on South Gay Street for lunch. Afterwards, they proceeded to walk one block up to the Hotel Mt. Lassen for the business portion of the meeting. It was their intention to hold the luncheon meeting at the hotel. However, the hotel was still under construction, and while portions of the building were completed, the kitchen was not. A temporary solution was found were the luncheon meetings were held in the basement of the Methodist Church, with the women of that church doing the cooking and serving. This situation lasted a little bit longer than anticipated, since the Mt. Lassen Coffee  Shop did not open for business until July 20, 1926.

Tim

Fire and fire prevention played a pivotal role in the development of Susanville. It was fire after all, why the city was formed. The original city/fire hall was a tall wooden structure that was destroyed by fire on November 7, 1921.

At the same time the City Council was dealing with a pressing issue with Fire (Insurance) Underwriters had proposed a hefty increase for insurance premiums of property inside the city limits. The Underwriters two main concerns the water mains were insufficient and the lack of an adequate fire department. The City addressed and worked with Frank Cady, owner of the local water company, to fix that problem.

On May 9, 1922, a newly re-organized Susanville Volunteer Fire Department was created. It initially consisted of five men:  H.W. Wharton, Uel J. Travis, Ted Murphy, John Greig and Walter Agee. Baldwin was named fire chief. One of their first priorities was to recruit and train volunteers. More progress was made that year with the purchase of an American LaFrance Fire Truck.In addition,  a Gamewell fire alarm system was installed throughout the town

In the fall the Board of Fire Underwriters representatives came to Susanville for inspection. While they were pleased with the improvements, there was one additional requirement—a paid fireman. The City obliged and hire Walter Long at $125 a month. The hard work paid off, instead of an increase on fire insurance premiums they were reduced by 10 percent.

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Many people are indifferent about chain stores, and then there are those who think they are wonderful, and the other camp that truly despises them. In the 1920s, with Susanville’s tremendous population growth, chain stores emerged on the scene. While the old established merchants were not thrilled, the Susanville consumer enjoyed a broader selection. The first chain store to enter the Susanville market, was a Wyoming outfit known as Stevens Store Company and in 1929 it became. J.C. Penney.

Enter R.L. Stone, who had a different approach for shopping in Susanville. Cash and Carry.  It should be noted it was rather customary of merchants, to allow their customers to charge their purchase. It was a risky endeavor at times for the merchant to recover those charged accounts. Stone’s concept a reduced price, but be paid in cash, no credit. It worked beyond expectations. It was in November 1923 when Stone opened his first store in the T.H. Long building. With his brothers they opened additional stores. By 1927, when they incorporated as Stone’s Cash Stores they had nineteen stores in California, Oregon and Washington. In 1929, Stones merged with another chain store MacMarr.   In 1934, Safeway acquired MacMarr.

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In the spring of 1881, Alex Arnold, owner of the Susanville Water Works, made an offer to the business community for fire suppression. He proposed to install a six-inch pipeline from his holding tank at the west end of town run the entire length of the town’s Main Street at that time (Pine to Weatherlow). In addition, four or five fire hydrants would be installed.  The estimated cost was $1,000. Arnold asked the businessmen to purchase it. In return, he would provide free labor to install the pipe and hydrants. In doing so, this would reduce insurance rates and they could quickly recover the costs.  They bickered about the costs, and nothing was done.

Fast forward to 1884, after three disastrous fires, the Arnold pipeline proposal was resurrected. Even with the pipeline there was another fire suppression cost—equipment. A hand engine (hose cart), hose and cisterns would cost $800. In April 1884, a petition was submitted to the Lassen County Board of Supervisors to form a fire district for the Susanville Township. On May 6, 1884, the Susanville Fire District was formed.

One of the first order of business was a special election for a proposed tax assessment. That was held on May 24, 1884, and it was approved 67 to 9. By late fall, with money in hand, the Arnold pipeline proposal was in earnest. On January 5, 1885, was a historic day in the history of fire suppression for Susanville.  The fire hydrants were in place and the hose cart arrived. It was time to test the new system. It worked. The water pressure from the pipeline allowed the volunteer firemen to shoot water over the two-story Steward House Hotel, the town’s tallest building.

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