In July 1892 George and Socrates Harrison, Susanville contractors were rebuilding the porch steps  of the Steward House Hotel located on the northwest corner of Main and Gay Streets. They discovered the remnants of a historic relic—a small cannon.

According to Adam D. Elledge (1827-1924) the Plumas County officials brought the weapon with them in 1863 during the episode that became known as the Sagebrush War. It was never used. After a truce was held, it appears someone “liberated” the cannon and hid  it the corner of the foundation of the Steward House which was under construction. A year later, it was removed, and it was noted it  was fully loaded. So it was discharged, but not in a good way. The muzzle was plugged and sent shrapnel of the cannon into the area, a piece that struck and tore a big hole in the Susanville School a few blocks of way. At least no one was injured. The remains of the cannon were put back in its original hiding place, until it was unearthed in 1892 and given to Elledge.

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With the establishment of the Lassen Lumber & Box Company in 1918 and three years later Fruit Growers Supply Company on the outskirts of Susanville the region experienced a huge influx of population. Yet, if one examines the census records it reveals a different story. Susanville’s population in 1930 was 1,358. In 1940 it rose to 1,565.  However, that does not tell the whole story.  Susanville’s eastern boundary ended at Weatherlow Street. In 1940, the area east of Susanville proper, which the census designated as Milwood Farms had a population of 3,672. In 1947, after numerous attempts to annex that region into the City of Susanville, it finally happened. Guess what? In 1950, the census reported that Susanville’s population had a dramatic increase with a population of 5,338. Nearly 3,000 more than in 1940.

Tim

By the mid-1860s, Susanville had its very own Chinatown. It was located in the area of Main and Union Streets. It is interesting to note, where the current Elk’s Lodge is, it was owned by Chinese in 1864. Anyhow, this being Chinese New Year, the following is the earliest account of that event being held in Susanville.

Lassen Advocate – February 13, 1869 – “The celestial portion of our community have had a good time enjoying their New Year feast. It was ushered in by burning three bunches of fire crackers—superior size—at Main Street, much to the annoyance of our peaceable and quiet citizens. Rice, hog, gin, chickens and red paper are in great demand.”

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While I have addressed this topic before, it will be new to others. However, I recently acquired the above photograph and this earliest dated photograph where a street sign appears at the intersection of Lassen and Mill Streets.

By the early 1920s, with a tremendous increase in population, the Susanville Post Office had a lot of work to do. There being no home delivery of mail, the post office would get swamped for people picking up their mail. To institute home mail delivery was not as simple as it seemed.

On April 16, 1923 the Susanville City Council passed an ordinance for the numbering of houses and businesses, too. This was the first step towards residential mail delivery. It was a slow process, that took two years. In November 1925, Postmaster C.D. Mathews ordered street signs to be installed to assist the mail carriers. For many residents it was not only a novelty, but not everyone knew of the name of the street they resided on.

On December 1, 1925, residential mail delivery was instituted with three carriers for the greater Susanville area.

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