Last month when I wrote about Plumas Pines, someone inquired about Prattville Road. Prior to the construction of State Highway 36, west bound travelers from Susanville ventured up North Pine Street, which at that time ended at North Street. From that point onward it was designated as Prattville Road. The original town of Prattville was located at Big Meadows, Plumas County prior to the construction of Lake Almanor. At that time, Prattville was the next community west of Susanville, hence the name of Prattville Road. Continue reading Prattville Road→
One of the nice features using this forum, instead of traditional print, some photographs will not print well. The above is a perfect example, yet it is an interesting photograph. This is at 501 Main Street, now Uptown Cinemas. This caravan of equipment is headed to Westwood while the first sawmill was under construction. Courtesy of Marcella Mathews Searles.
When the Red River Lumber Company finally decided, or actually more to the point Fletcher Walker demanded the Mountain Meadows location or otherwise he was going to quit, there were numerous hurdles to overcome.
During the initial construction phase of 1912-13, everything would have to be freighted in, while the railroad was under construction, and it would not be completed to Westwood until February 1914.
The road over Fredonyer as it appeared in 1914.
The bulk of the machinery was shipped by rail on the Western Pacific to Doyle. Smaller shipments also went by the Western Pacific to Keddie. In either instance, that is still a long haul for all the machinery to build one of the largest electric sawmills. In addition, all the auxiliary items needed to build a company town. This is before paved highways no less, and the truck traffic certainly made its imprint on the roads, though not in a favorable way.
Hopefully, bringing you this information, it might give you a tiny incentive to part with five dollars a month to keep things running.
This cut is just west of Susanville at Miller Road.
Since today is Lassen Land & Trails Trust annual Rails to Trails festival, it is only fitting to share a few scenes of the construction. In September 1913 work began on the construction of the line from Susanville to Devil’s Corral. This segment provided railroad officials with numerous challenges, since there were hardly any physical barriers to contend with the segment from Fernley, Nevada to Susanville. Time was also of the essence, since the railroad had a contractual obligation to complete the line to Westwood by February. With that in mind, over 1,000 men were hired for this construction phase. On December 12, 1913, the construction train crossed the Devil’s Corral, and all appeared well, until Mother Nature unleashed a fury of storms, which is a topic for another time.
Construction train in the Susan River Canyon.
It is never too late, subscribe today and enjoy tomorrow with daily notifications. You can also surprise someone with a gift subscription.
Susan River from the Carroll Street Bridge, 1981. Courtesy of Jim Cooper
While going through a photograph transfer file, in search of a particular photograph that I thought had been scanned, I came across this one of interest. By the way, for those inquiring minds, I never did find what I was looking for.
When I returned home a couple of weeks ago, I noticed the Susan River still had a pretty good flow, considering the circumstances of the drought. In the summer of 1981, gabions were installed along the south bank of Susan River just below the Carroll Street bridge to prevent further erosion of the bank. As one can easily see, there was not much water in the river to divert during the project.
It is never too late, subscribe today and enjoy tomorrow with daily notifications. You can also surprise someone with a gift subscription.
The Susanville Coca Cola Plant as it appeared in the 1950s, during the Lassen County Fair Parade. Courtesy of Margaret A. Purdy
One subscriber wanted to know the history behind this plant, which is also known as the Susanville Bottling Works. I must confess a lot of ignorance, as to specific dates, etc, so this will be updated when new material surfaces.
The original bottling works was established around 1914 by H.W. “Pop” Wharton. It was located at 906 South Alley between South Weatherlow and Union Streets. The building, painted a chocolate brown, is still there and converted into apartments.
In 1923, Howard L. McMurphy took over the complete operation. It was an interesting and lucrative time to be in soda business with Prohibition. It saw not only the local production of Coca Cola, but a local line of the Mt. Lassen brand of sodas.
Sometime in the late 1920s or early ’30s a new plant was constructed at Main and S. Sacramento Streets. For many the star attraction was the large picture window on Main Street, where people on the street could watch the assembly line of the sodas being bottled.
In 1967, Phyllis McMurphy Beard dissolved the Susanville Coca Cola Plant and the local production of sodas ceased.
For five dollars a month by subscribing, you can receive a daily email on that day’s topic, and in doing so, help preserve a bit of history.
It is always amazing how fast time marches on. It was back in April 1978, when Bank of America announced plans to build a new bank on the corner of Main & Gay Streets for $500,000. This was to replace the existing bank on Main Street that had only been built seven years earlier at a cost of $413,000. It was the latter building when it was constructed that got the community in an uproar, as Bank of America torn the original two-story landmark bank on the corner of Main and Gay Streets for a parking lot.
Final demolition of the original Bank of America, to make way for a parking lot.
Note: This article originally appeared on April 19, 2015. I am selecting some early posts, to fill in while I am on the road to recovery. For five dollars by subscribing, you can receive a daily email on that day’s topic, and in doing so, help preserve a bit of history.
According to one person, Belfast, was going to be a city paved in gold. That prediction was made in 1881.
While it is nearly a month away, mark your calendar for a brief, but exhilarating early afternoon tour to get you into the spirit of things.
You will be introduced to some of Lassen’s eccentric permanent residents. Of course, one has to pay a pilgrimage to the one and only “Count” who died in 1662. That is not a typo and the marker was placed by unknown parties back in the 1930s.
Stay tuned for the details.
For five dollars a month by subscribing, you can receive a daily email on that day’s topic, and in doing so, help preserve a bit of history.
The house was originally located at 601 Cottage Street. In 1939, it was moved to 607 to make way for a parking lot, for the new Safeway Store. Dr. J.R. Packwood later remodeled it, adding a second story. Courtesy of JoAnn Uptegrove
Today, at 8:15 a.m. marks six weeks since I underwent surgery for my broken hip. I arrived home one day last week, though I need the aid of a walker to get around, among other things. Slowly, but surely progress is being made. I have been assured that I should be able to attend the Lassen County Planning Commission meeting on October 7, followed by the Lassen College Board a week later. As I write this, though, that seems likes an eon away, having yet to be able to venture down the stairs and to the outside world.
While I was in rehab, I did make the best of my idle time when I was not in occupation and/or physical therapy sessions. One major accomplishment was the drafting of the Inspiration Point Tour presentation. When I will be able to do this walking tour, unfortunately, at this time I do not know. It may be a small practice run in November, and then a regular tour next spring. Too many unknowns, as not just with my walking ability, but weather and other factors to be considered.
607 Cottage Street as it appeared in the winter of 2005. One portion of me, hopes a heavy winter appears, and another somewhat terrified with the prospect of snow and ice, mainly the latter, as I don’t want to have another disastrous fall.
Finally, and most importantly, I want to say a very big thank you to everyone, who lent a helping hand during this most interesting episode of my life.
For five dollars a month by subscribing, you can receive a daily email on that day’s topic, and in doing so, help preserve a bit of history.
Queen Lena the first, September 24, 1902. Courtesy of Betty Barry Deal
On September 24, 1902, Miss Lena Long won a lively contest to be crowned Queen, which was part of the festivities of the first Lassen County Fair to be held in ten years.
Since I am writing this from a remote location, I do not have access to my files, a more detailed post is in the future. Just stay tuned and thanks for your patience.
For five dollars a month by subscribing, you can receive a daily email on that day’s topic, and in doing so, help preserve a bit of history.
South side of the 700 block of Susanville’s Main Street, 1901
Susanville was in the midst of re-building its business from the devastating fire of June 1900. It was from that fire the led to the creation of the City of Susanville. Actually, the town suffered from many fires, and that history can be found here. What is interesting with this photograph you will notice the vacant lot between the Cohn Bros. and the Pioneer. It should be noted that the Pioneer used the lot for a beer garden, until O.M. Doyle constructed a two-story stone building that eventually became home of the Grand Cafe. The building to the right to the Pioneer, is still standing, the front having been modified and is home to Margie’s Book Nook.
Note: This article originally appeared on March 29. I am selecting some early posts, to fill in https://tipurdy.org/subscribe/while I am on the road to recovery. For five dollars by subscribing, you can receive a daily email on that day’s topic, and in doing so, help preserve a bit of history.
