Tag Archives: Susanville

History

Oakes & Philbrook

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Oakes and Philbrook’s furniture store under construction.
In 1901, two half-brothers, Tom Oakes and Alonzo Philbrook built a furniture store at 800 Main Street, which building still exist. As was customary of the day, they were also the local undertaker, since making furniture and building a coffin went hand in hand. In 1912, the building was acquired by the Bank of Lassen County which remained in the building until 1933 when it was acquired by Bank of America. It has had numerous occupants since such as the United California Bank and the Lassen County Times

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History

David Knoch’s Pioneer Spirit

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An invoice from Knoch’s Store.
This German immigrant went from a tailor, to miner, to peddler and then a regular store merchant in a short period of time. At the age of 19, he arrived in San Francisco and set off for the mines of Oroville. After three years he figured out there must be better way to make a living than mining. The one item he learned from that experience, was that miner’s liked having their supplies delivered. The resourceful Knoch then became a peddler of goods visiting the mines of Northeastern California.

Seeking stability in May 1865 Knoch purchased a lot in Susanville at 722 Main Street for $100. There he opened his general mercantile business and within a decade became one of the leading merchants of Lassen County. Once again in expanding his horizons, like other successful merchants in a frontier town with no banks, he began lending money. In 1893, he turned the store over to his son, Ike Knoch and son-in-law, Jules Alexander. Knoch focused his energy on his investments and continued to do quite well. In 1908, he built a modest home at 100 North Roop Street where he resided until his death in 1911.

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History

Centennial Tour – T.N. Long

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Thomas Newton Long. Courtesy of Jack Howard Long
Thomas Long (1833-1917) ended up in my “honorable mention” list, though depending on time, he may squeak by. It should be duly noted, that he is not related to the other Long family of Susanville. It is somewhat similar to the Doyle Doyles and the Milford Doyles, as they are not related, just makes things confusing.

This Alabama native came to Susanville in 1861 and with A.R. Leroy operated a saloon. In the fall of 1867 he was elected sheriff of Lassen County and re-elected in 1869. In 1871 he ran for county treasurer and lost. In 1874 he was elected Lassen County Supervisor, District 1. In 1877, he was elected county treasurer and served one term. He would serve four terms as county supervisor from 1882-1900. For the most of his life, he operated a general store and raised a family of fourteen children.

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History

Where was it?

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This was taken in 1940, prior to improvements to the property.
It is situated on one of the more unusual lots in Susanville, though I doubt the city would allow a lot like that to be created today. There is a conflict of opinion. There are those in camp this building was torn and the other that it was modified into the current structure. Whatever the case may be, a lot of girls in the region created many a memory there.

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History

Lassen High School Sites, 1968

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Miller’s Construction getting ready for the demolition, June 1968.
Just a bit of trivia today. In the mid-1960s the trustees of Lassen Union High School gave consideration to locate the campus at the north end of Weatherlow Street. When the California Highway Department officials assured the trustees that there was going to be a highway bypass, it was decided to keep the original campus. This was in the same era when Lassen Community College had severed ties with the high school and was in search of a new home, and one of those locations is now Susanville Ranch Park. The college liked that property, but they did not like the purchase price.

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History

Susanville Water Tanks

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Susanville water tanks in the foreground, 1941. Courtesy of Linda Moore
For nearly a century there were water tanks located at the base of Inspiration Point, that served as the town’s water supply. The only reason why I bring this up, it had became part of the discussion at the original Inspiration Point Tour. While subscriber’s do receive the narrative of the tour, the dialogue and discussions by attendees are not included. One of the interesting features about these old tanks, and the above picture highlights the fact that there were no covers on the tanks.

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History

Susanville, 1941

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Susanville, 1941. Courtesy of Linda Moore.
While examining the file of L.L. Frost, one of the graves that we will be visiting on the forthcoming Centennial Cemetery tour, there were a couple of interesting photographs in the file. This particular one caught my attention, as it shows the old auto court on Quarry Street at the base of Inspiration Point. Usually, photographers crop off at Pine Street, so one rarely sees this little known area of Susanville.

Tomorrow, I will have more details about the cemetery tour, with times and dates, so one has plenty of time to mark your calendar.

History

Historic Homes

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The Gilman residence, 1931.

From time to time we will examine the wide variety of homes in the region. Of course, this topic is long over due, and Barbara thank you for your patience, and I am working on your house, too!

Featured above is the J.A. Gilman residence located at 1913 Main Street, Susanville and now the office of Town and Country Real Estate. It was built in 1898, and other family members built houses surrounding it. The Gilman’s were in the sheep business during its hey day, and retired from it before it collapsed in the 1920s and 1930s.

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