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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For years Wells Fargo was an inconic banking institution of the “old west.”  During the late 1800s, they had an office in Susanville. Wells Fargo’s local office did not provide any financial services. As its original name implies “express” was the service they provided. They were the UPS of the time.

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In 1954, after the death of Jean “Shirley” Tilton, Gene Garayoa purchased her establishment, Shirley’s located at 635 Hall Street. Garayoa did a complete renovation of the place and renamed it the Juniper Inn, and soon became a popular social hub. Garayoa, it should be noted was also in the bowling alley business and in 1960 was operating the Sierra Lanes.

Fast forward to February 1976. At that time Howard and Judy Duvall had leased the Juniper Inn. There were two fires of mysterious origins on February 22 and 29, leaving the building gutted. Garayoa replaced the Juniper Inn with the Juniper Arms Apartments.

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