As mentioned in a previous post concerning Father Moran’s quest for a new Catholic church in 1939, had some major obstacles to over come. First and foremost, was his crusade would coincide with World War II, the latter overshadowed much the daily life of the parishioners and the community as a whole. Continue reading A New Sacred Heart Church
First, I am wishing everyone a wonderful and memorable Thanksgiving holiday. Some annual events come and go, and then some such as Sacred Heart’s St. Patrick’s Dinner just keep going on. While working in the filing bin, I found the above ticket. In my preliminary sleuthing, I have not been able to locate more information about this Thanksgiving Ranch Breakfast. I am examined the Lassen Advocate newspaper, and the only item the paper reported was it being listed under Make It A Date column. So if anyone has ever attended, or knows anything more enlightening please share with the rest of us.
While many of the city street names have links to families from the pioneer era–Alexander, Brashear, Lassen, etc.–that is not the case with Cook Street in the Inspiration Point neighborhood. Continue reading Susanville – Cook Street
One of the more disastrous fires in Susanville occurred in August 1915, when a large portion of the block containing the Emerson Hotel, the Hyer House Hotel and the Methodist Church were destroyed. The losses were heavy, none of the buildings were fully covered by insurance.
Members of the Methodist Church were determined to rebuild their church that was constructed in 1901. The skeletal walls were deemed fit for re-use. While insurance covered a large percentage of costs to rebuild, more funds were needed. It was decided to hold a Kirmess Festival. Those not familiar with the term, is of Dutch origins. While it has several meanings one is that it involves an outdoor fair/festival for charitable causes, usually affiliated with a church.
In early March 1916, members of the church announced a four day Kirmess festival to raise funds to rebuild their church. The kirmess was scheduled for March 28-31. On the first day, it took on air of Mardi Gras with a parade that included the majority of the community. Entertainment was held every night at the Orpheum Theater. On Thursday night Guy P. Johnson won the election and was crowned Kirmess King. A good time was had by all and nearly $1,000 was raised for the Methodist Church.
Once upon a time, Lassen College had a very popular forestry program. This was back in the day, with three large lumber mills in Susanville, another one in Westwood, along with the Lassen National Forest provided a lot of job opportunities. It was because of these factors that there was need for some vocational training in this field, and especially for the community. Continue reading Lassen College’s Forestry Program
If you recall for Halloween last year, I posted a story about Freak Parties. Before television, folks did a pretty good of entertaining themselves with all kinds of parties. These, of course, were quite the social event. Unfortunately, I do not know what the occasion for above photograph. It was taken at the residence of 700 Mill Street, Susanville. The following is a listing of those identified:
First Row: Unknown, Harriet Bangham, Gladys Emerson, Hazel Doyle, Unknown, Unknown and Unknown.
Second Row: Unknown, Anna Sharp, Eleanor Byrant, Lillian True Bangham, Sadie Jacobs, Unknown, Mrs. Church.
Third Row: Grace Bridges, Lucille Pierce Nash Mathews, Dudie Ramsey, Flora Neuhaus, Marie Emerson Hallowell, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Fannie Winchester.
Fourth Row: Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Blanche Spalding Pardee, Unknown, Unknown, Kate Odette Pierce, Kitty Whipple, Jeanette Alexander Worley, Mrs. Trix Wren.
Humbug Valley is located a bit south and west of Lake Almanor. It is an interesting locale, and worth the trip if you have never been there.
In 1855, B.K. Ervine and William B. Long used the valley for stock-range. Two years later, gold was discovered and set off a flurry of mining operations. Long and his father-in-law, Allen Wood, built a hotel there, and a sawmill mill, too, and thus the town of Longville came into existence. In 1862, Long came to Susanville and purchased William Weatherlow’s ranch, known today as Susanville Ranch Park.
Longville continued to flourish, and then came along World War I and everything changed. Like so many places Longville would slowly become de-populated and residents never returned after the War. The Longville Post Office that had been in operation since 1861, closed in 1918.
Walker’s was an iconic Susanville institution for nearly forty years. It first started as a small hamburger and shake stand on the corner of Main and Alexander Avenue. It later expanded into a full-fledged restaurant that was popular with the locals and travelers, too. In the 1970s, the City of Susanville made a realignment to Alexander Avenue, and the gas station was moved next door.
For the past several years the building has undergone extensive renovations. There is a lot of speculation what the former Walker’s is going to be reincarnated into. In due time, we will find out one day.
Born Anna Marie Goumaz on July 22, 1839 and was a small minority of German Swiss immigrants to Lassen County. By the 1890s, a second wave arrived, but from the Canton Ticino, better known as Swiss Italians, but that is another story. In 1851, her parents along with nine children migrated to the United States finally locating in Illinois. In 1863, Anna and her two brothers, Philip and Isadore decided to go west and found a new home in the Honey Lake Valley. On March 10, 1864, Anna married rancher Lyman C. Stiles. Continue reading Anna M. Stiles
On April 9, 1939, Father Patrick J. Moran during his Easter Sunday service announced his intention that Sacred Heart Parish needed a new church. It was rather dramatic, since Moran had only been appointed to take care of the spiritual needs of Sacred Heart four months prior.
The old wooden church was built in 1892, and it was originally located on Richmond Road, adjacent to the bridge over Susan River. In 1909, the church was moved to the corner of Union and Nevada Streets. However, the years had taken a toll on the wooden frame structure, and many parishioners complained that it was cold and drafty in the winter months, since the only heating was an ornate wood stove.
Moran, in his address, concluded that a new church would be built on the site of the current one. The following year, Moran received Bishop Robert Armstrong’s blessing. Shortly afterwards Sacramento architect Clarence C. Huff was awarded the contract to design the new church.
However, Moran’s quest would take nearly ten years for it to come to fruition. More about that in a future post.