The early day dispensers of adult beverages were a creative bunch when it came up with ways to attract customers. In early 1880s, Joe Hale, co-owner of the Pioneer, for a brief time had a bear cub at the bar. Initially, all went well, until the cub grew much larger and had to be turned loose for the safety of Hale and his patrons.

In 1907, B.R. Zimmerman, proprietor of the Gem Saloon, installed a new upright player paino—just not any kind. It was an electric player piano, if no one was available to play it, one just pushed a button and it played  by itself. As one observer noted, “The instrument is a beauty, and should prove a winner in public favor.”

1912, the Blue Goose Saloon, to make its establishment stand out from others—after there were more saloons than houses of worship—installed the town’s first outdoor neon sign. The sign did not have a long life, as the following summer it developed an electric short, which started a fire and burned down a portion of the 600 block in Susanville.

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As the  old saying goes on family businesses, the first generation makes it, the second generation uses it and the third loses it. Of course, there are exceptions, such as the fourth generation wants to do something entirely different. Such was the case with the Knoch family. David Knoch’s two great-grandchildren, Janis and J.D. Worley had no intentions to remain in Susanville. So on November 6, 1956, their mother, Jeanette Worley sold the Knoch Building that had been in her family for three generations to  Tony and Hersoule Legatos for $69,500.

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In February 1935, the residents of Susanville were astir as they watched the new neon sign being installed on the newly constructed Sierra Theater. Purportedly, when the sign was installed it was the largest neon sign installed in Northern California. More importantly, the residents were anxious for the new theater to open. The previous Liberty Theater was condemned by the City in August 1934. The Liberty was torn down in September to be replaced with the current Sierra Theater.

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The 1930s were a financially difficult time for Med Arnold, the grandson of the town’s founder, Isaac Roop. In a desperate need of funds, on October 8, 1936, Arnold put Roop’s iconic landmark up for sale. This in turn spurred a grass roots campaign movement to raise funds.  In May 1937, the City of Susanville purchased it. When the Shasta-Cascade Wonderland Association held its 1937 convention that fall in Susanville, one of its highlights of the meeting was the dedication ceremony of the landmark, with California Governor F.F. Merriam as the guest speaker. In 1974, Roop’s Fort was entered into the National Register of Historic Places.

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In the early 1920s, chain stores slowly started making inroads at Susanville, though some thought them to be a menace. One of the first grocery chains was Purity, and they opened in the Star Hotel building on the northeast corner of Main and Gay Streets. In the summer of 1938, they purchased a vacant lot on the northeast corner of Cottage and Lassen Streets and shortly thereafter constructed a store, which the building still exists. Purity closed its Susanville store in the mid-1960s, and Food Lane took over the location. Food Lane lasted nearly a decade and then it closed. Taking its place was Chicago Title Company, who several years ago vacated the building and relocated to the east end of Susanville.

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On March 5, 1903, Jules Alexander, John Borrette, Isaac Knoch, Sol Nathan and John Spalding formed the Susanville Creamery Company.  By the end of the month, the newly formed company hired Herman Enhorning and Charles Odette to construct a creamery at the end of Roop Street, near Piute Creek for $1,925. By July the new creamery was in operation. There were problems. There were too many creameries in the area with others being located at Johnstonville, Spoonville and Standish. Equally important, there was not enough dairy cattle and labor to support all four. This would change in the 1920s with Bennett & Cardinal, but that is another story. Continue reading Roop Street Remnants →

This just an interesting photograph to share, taken in early 1923.  Believe it or not all the structures still exist. On the left are the two Hunsinger houses. The corner house was moved to Janesville Grade. The dark color structure is still there at 504 Main Street, but in an altered state, as a second floor would be added. The retaining wall in front of the current Elk’s building was removed in 1966. On the right, which is hard to see is the A.J. Mathews residence, that is now at 1415 North Street.

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Certain Susanville residences have undergone major renovations over the years. Take for instance the former Alexander residence at 145 North Roop Street. It was built in 1893 by Susanville merchant Abe Alexander, and was originally Italiante style, a style popular with Susanville’s Jewish community. Abe did not enjoy his new home for very long, for he moved to San Francisco. In the meantime, he sold the house to his brother, Jules Alexander.  In 1910, Jules had the home transformed into a Craftsman’s style. He continued to reside there until his death in 1935. Shortly, thereafter, his daughter and son-in-law, Jeanette and Jess Worley moved in to take of her mother, Rae. The Worley’s remained in the home until 1947, when they had a new brick home constructed next door, and that too  has been significantly altered.

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