Susanville’s iconic Elk’s Lodge located at the west end of the town’s Main Street, had a humble origin. The story unfolds when Michigan native Dr. J.G. Leonard (1843-1916) opened a dentist office in Susanville on March 1, 1884.  A large vacant lot at the west end of town caught his attention, especially since it was so centered to have an excellent view looking down through the center of main street. He approached the owner, Sarah Hosselkus about its availability. On March 22, 1884, she sold the lot to Leonard for $450.

Leonard then proceeded to design a unique residence on this unique lot. The instincts came naturally for him, since for a time he studied to become an architect.  Dentistry or Architect are noble positions, such professions, even in cities, during the late 1800s could be financially challenging.

In November 1884 work was underway to clear the homesite. The proposed two-story home, contained twelve rooms, many of which were octagonal. Leonard hired local contractor Charles Odette to build it, though no record exist as to its cost. In February 1885 Leonard moved his family into their new home, though it was far from finished.

Leonard quickly learned that there was not a sufficient enough  population in Susanville, as well as the Honey Lake Valley to sustain his practice. Like others before him and after him he rode the circuit to provide his services in neighboring counties, with an emphasis on Modoc County. The other financial obstacle Leonard faced, was his patients would provide goods and/or services rather than paying in cash. After five years of eking out a living, Leonard, filed for bankruptcy on April 17, 1889. One of his main creditors, was Susanville merchant William Greehn who he borrowed money to construct his home. Greehn secured the promissory note with Leonard by attaching a mortgage to Leonard’s home. At the conclusion of the bankruptcy proceedings Greehn was awarded the property. Leonard moved on and by 1898 established a practice in Reno where he lived the rest of his life.

Tomorrow: The residence transformed

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On June 6, 1900 an early morning fire started at Dave Stark’s blacksmith shop on the southeast corner of Main and S. Roop Streets. Within two hours some forty structures from Roop to South Union Street were destroyed in the blaze. The only building remained standing was Alexander & Knoch’s store, constructed of native stone, though it did sustain damage.

While this fire became the catalyst to incorporate Susanville, many resorted to the old wooden frame building practices of the past. The above photograph is a perfect example. What is interesting with this photograph you will notice the vacant lot between the Cohn Bros. and the Pioneer. It should be noted that the Pioneer used the lot for a beer garden, until O.M. Doyle constructed a two-story stone building that eventually became home of the Grand Cafe. The building to the right to the Pioneer, which was Alexander & Knoch’s store, though the store front has been modified is home to Margie’s Book Nook. 

In 1902, Susanville passed Ordinance No. 17 which prohibited wooden frame buildings in the heart of the town’s business district. All future materials, would be brick, native stone or cement. Roofs were required to be metal, slate or tile.

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The history of this street, is a bit odd, when compared to the city’s oldest avenues. The name is a bit of a paradox, the street runs in a east-west direction. Folklore has it, it was so named “North” because it was the most northernmost street. However, when one examines the original town plat of1863, that is not the case. Willow Street which is one block north of North Street, was initially the most northerly street at that time.  In addition, when North Street was laid out, it ended at Weatherlow Street. In 1910 it was extended to connect with Hall Street.

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Prior to the construction of Highway 36 which changed the west entrance into Susanville, civic leaders complained about the street appearance first entering the town and/or leaving.  The problem spot was the 500 block between Pine and Roop Streets. There was an unsightly berm in the middle of the street. In 1922, the west entrance was changed to South Pine Street, and with the paving of Main Street, the problem fixed.

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