Tag Archives: Susanville

History

The Mason’s New Home

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The Masonic Temple under construction, October, 1924. Thank you Uncle Boyd, whoever you are.

In November, 1921, the Lassen Lodge No.149, F.&A.M. found themselves once again homeless due to fire. In 1917, the Mason’s acquired the Native Sons of the Golden West two-story wooden hall adjacent to the City Fire Hall on the corner of Lassen & Nevada Streets. It was those two structures that were destroyed in the November blaze. Finances hindered the Masons, but it did not stop plans for a replacement.

On July 19, 1924, the Mason’s entered into a contract with T.J. Rees of Fallon, Nevada to construct a new lodge. The two-story native stone building carried a price tag of $35,000. It was agreed to have the building completed by January 1, 1925. However, that did not quite happen, and it was not until June 12, 1925 when the Masonic Temple was dedicated.

There are two interesting side-line notes. The Masonic Temple was the last major native stone building constructed in Susanville. When Rees completed the building, he found himself a new job constructing the Hotel Mt. Lassen.

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History

The Spanish Influenza Pandemic of 1918

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Main Street, Susanville, 1918.

This article, originally appeared two years ago. However with current coronavirus pandemic, I thought it would be worthwhile to bring, after all for some readers this will be a new material, thus a special Tuesday feature, with an end note not in the original article.

One hundred years ago witnessed the worldwide flu pandemic. It caught many by surprise, and Lassen County, like so many others were not prepared how quickly it spread, nor how deadly it was. In early October 1918 the flu made its presence in the communities of Susanville and Westwood. On October 10, forty-year-old Lassen County Surveyor, Thad McKay, became the first victim. A week later, Dr. F.H. Shanks, Lassen County Health Officer issued a statement that yes, the flu was prominent, but a mild one, and citizens to take the necessary precautions of any health crisis. Everything changed quickly with the death of Stephen F. Watson on October 17, shortly followed by two more members of the Watson family. By early November there were over 300 cases of flu in Susanville, roughly one-third of the town’s population.  On November 11, 1918, the City held a special session and ordered the closure of the town’s saloons and other public gathering places. The ban was not lifted until November 20, after a decrease in new flu cases.

It is difficult to determine how many Lassen County residents died from the flu. This is due in part many deaths were not recorded with the Lassen County Recorder. If pressed, I would estimate that nearly 100 deaths occurred in Lassen County that were attributed to the flu during 1918-19.

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History

A consolidated Park District?

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A view of Susanville’s Memorial Park from Main Street, 1947

The creation of a municipal park was fraught with numerous hurdles. Actually, the park movement began long before the creation of the City of Susanville.

By the 1920s, the ideal location for a park was the meadow land east of Weatherlow Street to Grand Avenue with Main and North Streets rounding out the boundaries. This was problematic for the City of Susanville, since it was outside the city limits. A proposed City and Lassen County Park District seemed a like a solution. Besides the city, the district would encompass subdivisions to the east such as Halltown, Milwood Tract and Lassen Townsite. It was met with fierce opposition by county officials. At the December 1929 Lassen County Board of Supervisors, the matter went to a sound defeat of 4 to 1.

The City never gave up, and when the property was annexed to the City in 1947, the park became a reality.

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History

What Could Have?

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The wreck of April 24, 1944 at Pine and Cottage Streets.

One never know how scenarios may turn out. A perfect example was when an oil truck over turned at the west entrance of Susanville near noon time on April 24, 1944. Fortunately, the driver, 27 year-old Hayward resident, Donald Fedick, escaped without injuries. The truck and fuel tank were totaled, a loss estimated at $12,000. The fuel tank spewed forth 6,000 gallons of fuel oil down the gutters of Susanville. Consider it a miracle, especially when one takes into consideration how prevalent smoking was then, that a stray match or cigarette was not tossed into the gutter setting off a massive blaze.

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History

St. Patrick’s Dinner, 1955

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The original Sacred Heart Church.

Established in 1917, Sacred Heart Church’s St. Patrick’s Dinner is the longest continuous event in Lassen County. Of course, anything that has staying power for over a century has undergone changes. A case point is that a number of different church organizations that has sponsored it over the years. In 1955, it was the Catholic Ladies Altar Society who were in charge. That year, it was held on Sunday March 13 at the Lassen County Fairgrounds. The menu was a Italian style dinner, as in previous years, that included appetizers, salami, Italian peppers, olives—a dinner of spaghetti, roast beef, tossed salad, cake and ice cream.

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History

Main Street, Susanville, 1915

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Main Street, Susanville, 1915

Back in November when I was at Rosewood Rehabilitation in Reno, I did have access to a computer. Not to be accused of a being slacker, with my “down time” I carried on the best I could do with the daily post.

Lo and behold I came across this interesting postcard of Main Street, Susanville, 1915, even though it has a 1920 postmark. It is a P. J. Thompson photograph, and I have always enjoyed his photographic work.

The reason why I know the photograph was taken in 1915, is that the Emerson Hotel was destroyed on August 5, 1915. Across the street from the Emerson is the Knoch Building. It was not until the fall of1914, when the third story of Knoch Building was added. With that structure saw the installation of the town’s first elevator. In addition, it had to be taken some time in the spring or summer of 1915 as there is foilage on the trees.

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History

Sierra Shangri-La —Sponsors

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It should be noted that the free publication was financed by advertisements of local businesses. I thought some might enjoy seeing some of the advertisements that appeared. Of the fifty-four businesses that are featured, only one is still in operation—that being the Fruit Growers Supply Company. While Fruit Growers no longer maintains a business presence, i.e., a sawmill, it still owns timberland in Lassen County.

On a somewhat related note, from time to time, I have been approached to place advertisements on this site. My preference is to have a clean appearance, without distractions, as so many websites are cluttered with annoying ads. Some may think I crazy for turning down extra revenue, but if making money was my sole purpose in life I would have found a different line of work.

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History

The Story Club Fire

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Story Club fire, August 14, 1944

Fruit Growers Supply Company’s famed Story Club was quickly destroyed by fire in the early morning hours of August 14, 1944. By the time the fire alarm went off and the fire crews arrived on the scene the three-story structure was entirely engulfed in flames. The only thing that could be done was to prevent the fire from spreading. By sunrise the building was reduced to rubble. Fruit Growers valued the loss at $40,000. For Stanley Arnold who had leased the club since 1930 now found himself without a job.

Story Club, 1924. Courtesy of Lola L. Tanner

The Story Club built in 1922 was a recreational facility for the employees of Fruit Growers. It was, however, open to all and many local organizations held functions there. Today, the site is now Riverside Park.

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History

U.S. French Laundry

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U.S. French Laundry—Courtesy of Harry Boulade

This is a work in progress, since it is something that I am still researching. The U.S. French Laundry was located on the northwest corner of Main and Mesa Streets or 2319 Main Street. It was established some time in the mid-1920s and was still in operation in 1935. It is interesting to note that Susanville was able to support three laundry/dry cleaning establishments. For a brief time it was owned by Jean Boulade, who prior to his move to Susanville was a resident of the Madeline Plains and at one time was the postmaster at Termo.

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History

Elusive Photographs

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The July 4, 1906 parade with the city/fire hall in the background—Lola L. Tanner

Photographs of certain places and/or events just want to remain hidden. Take for instance Susanville’s combination City/Fire Hall. It was built in 1905 and destroyed by fire in 1921. A photograph of it does appear in the 1965 Lassen Advocate Centennial publication. One would think a public building, adorned with a sixty-foot tall bell tower, would appear in a variety of photographs.

Another example. My good friend, the late Hank Martinez, spent a life-time in search of a photograph of the El Centro, in Old Town, Westwood. It was a combination store and community hall. I had hoped to find one in the Red River Lumber Company’s archives but to no avail.

In May, 1923 one of the largest public events ever held at that time, occurred in Litchfield. It was a grand celebration to celebrate the completion of the Bly Tunnel at Eagle Lake, that would irrigate lands in the Honey Lake Valley. Over 5,000 people were in attendance and yet, to this day, I have never come across a single photograph. 

Interesting, however, some times rare photographs do surface on Ebay. Some times I make a purchase, and some times not, depending on price range, etc.

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