It has been ten years to the day when the Lassen County Hall of Justice was dedicated. However, first some background. In 1997, the California Legislature passed the Trial Court Funding Act. In essence, the state would take over the courts, where in the past it was a county function. In Lassen County the transition was slow.
In early 2000s, planning began on a separate facility for the Lassen County courts. There was debate as to where to build it. The site selected was on Riverside Drive. When the $38.9 million building was completed it was the most expensive public works project in Lassen County.
The original superior courtroom in the Lassen County Courthouse remained intact, and used primarily for ceremonial functions. Once the current courthouse renovation project is completed it will become the meeting room for the Lassen County Board of Supervisors.
During the summer of 1926 Susanville was full of energy preparing for the upcoming State American Legion Convention. There were lots of fundraising activities to be had. After all, the local post thought the cost for being host would be around $5,000. In June, they had raised $3,000.
One fund raising venue was the construction of an open air dance pavilion. On Saturday night, July 10, 1926 the grand opening dance was held. Glen Tout’s orchestra furnished the music, with its slogan “Pep to Every Step.” There was certainly a lot pep in those steps as the Tout orchestra played its final tune on Sunday morning at 4:45 a.m. The dances continued every Saturday night through the summer.
Finally, it should be noted, the local legion post ended up with a $4,000 debt after the convention. On the bright side, not only was Susanville put on the map, but the attendees spread the word of the royal treatment they received from the community throughout the state.
On January 21, 1885, the Susanville Hose Company No. 1 was organized to become the town’s first official fire department. The officers consisted of C.M. Stoll, foreman, A.E. Blum, secretary and Henry Bereman as Treasurer. Besides the initial officers eighteen men comprised the company. The volunteer firemen met weekly for practice sessions with the hose cart.
They were initially a ambitious lot. In July 1885 they held their first election for commissioners and David Knoch, Noble McKinsey and Hiram Skadan were elected. On June 6, 1887.the commissioners held. special election to levy for an $500 assessment for the purchase of additional equipment. It was approved 71 to 3.
In the fall of 1891, the company sought to acquire a permanent home. On November 19 they purchased a lot from James P. Keener on Lassen County, which is now the current site of Susanville’s City Hall. A fire hall was built with a fifty-foot bell tower, becoming the town’s tallest landmark. It was designed specifically that way so when the bell was rung it could be heard throughout the town.
Like all volunteer organizations they have their peaks and valleys, but the organization continued for several decades when it would reorganized as the Susanville Volunteer Fire Department.
This is not only Lassen County Fair Week, but it is the fair’s centennial. In the summer of 1922, Bert Jensen, Russell Brownell, C.E. Lawson, L.E. DeForest and H.H. Riddels formed the Lassen County Fair Association. It had been sixteen years since the last fair, and these ambitious men were not only going to correct that, but make the county fair an annual event.
They wasted no time to put together a fair, but a permanent fairgrounds as well.. Twenty acres of land were acquired which is still the present Lassen County Fairgrounds. In July the Association announced its plans to construct a substantial grandstand, along with a race track. There was plenty community support for a fair as merchants and the agricultural community raised $4,000. In early August Susanville contractor, J.J. Woodward was hired to build the grandstand for $3,256.44.
Lassen County Fair, 1922. Courtesy of Lola L. Tanner
On Friday, September 29, 1922, large crowd assembled for the opening day of the fair. A lively time was had by all. However, it was not a financial success. The entire cost was $12,500. Receipts from all sources was $8,700. While there was a $4,000 deficit, it was duly noted that the Association made substantial permanent improvements that would not be incurred in the future.
Doyle & Hunsinger and Lassen Auto Building, Susanville, circa 1927
On January 23, 1926, Doyle & Hunsinger Motor Company held a grand opening celebration in their new building on the 600 block of Main Street. Their Ford dealership occupied the west side of the building. The eastern side of the building was the home of B.R. Holmes Lassen Auto Company. Holmes had acquired the property that for many years was the location of Hi Skadan’s Livery Stable. Over the course of several years, Doyle would acquire Hunsinger’s interest and then eventually buying out Holmes to own the entire building.
Main Street, Susanville, 1927. Note you can see where the fire burned above the Elks Lodge.
In June 2021 I wrote about a forest fireof 1926 that threatened Susanville, when it jumped the Susan River and spread to Inspiration Point.On July 2, 1926 the Lassen Mail had an editorial “Fire Danger Is Concern of Everyone.” Since it is that time of year when fire danger increases, I thought I would share the newspaper’s observation.
”During the closing days of June Susanville faced conditions that do not usually obtain until August. These conditions will become worse as the season advances and it will require the utmost care on the part of everyone to protect property interests. So far as the town of Susanville is concerned it is now reasonably well protected from fires that might sweep in from the surrounding hills. But the wealth of Lassen County lies in her forests and these forests are at the mercy of the camper and the tourist.
”The state forestry department should see that a competent fire warden is placed in charge of the Susanville district. He should be a man who realizes the importance of his position and who has the necessary experience. During the past week more damage was done by back fires set by incompetent persons than was done by the original fire. The fire that destroyed Red River timber and finally crossed the Susan River and threatened the town of Susanville was a backfire set by one of those incompetent people that got way beyond control and made the situation worse instead of better.”
A partial view of the lot at Main and Grand, Susanville.
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.
4th of July 1907, Susanville. Courtesy of Lola L. Tanner
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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Smith Hotel, circa 1880. Courtesy of Verna M. Wood
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.
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.
