In the spring of 1864 work began on Susanville’s most elaborate structure to date, Jospeh and Lydia Steward’s two-story hotel on the northwest corner of Main and Gay Streets. It was advertised as, “This new and elegantly furnished hotel stands first in the State for comfort and accommodation for the traveling public, every room being well ventilated and neatly furnished. Even though Steward owned the hotel for less than a year, he sold to Miller & Kingsley for $7,256, the name never change with subsequent ownership.

On Tuesday night, July 18, 1893, a fire broke out in the rear of the Steward House and within minutes the entire building was engulfed in flames. Within a half hour, with erratic winds fanned the fire and the whole block were ablaze. The fire jumped Main Street and now the south side of the business district was on fire. In the end, it worst fire in Susanville’s history, the town’s entire business district was destroyed.

Support this site and subscribe today!

Today’s topic evolved from a trip to Susanville Supermarket last month. I thought I could manage a quick trip in and out and go on my merry way. Lo and behold, while trying to make my get away, I got lassoed. Anna Stewart who needed some information about Native American Veteran Thomas Tucker, that they want to feature in their newspaper ad, scheduled for July 7.  I, of course, obliged.

Thomas Tucker was the first casualty from Susanville in World War I. Numerous records has him listed as the first Lassen County resident, but that distinction belongs to Westwood resident Clyde McKea who died almost two months earlier than Tucker. Continue reading A Living Memorial →

Last month I wrote about the area’s first newspaper, the Richmond Times. The next newspaper, also a handwritten one, the Susanville Reporter. This paper made its debut in February 1861, with Andrew Ramsey at the helm. When the second issue made its debut, the paper changed hands with Isaac Roop, as editor. As the Butte Record noted Roop penned some amusing article such as, “A Hint to Parents,” Something to be Remembered,” and Uncle Sam and his boys.” It would not be for another four years, when the first locally printed newspaper was published—The Sage Brush.

Support this site and subscribe today!

Susanville’s first hotel, if you could call it such was Cutler Arnold’s story and half structure of hewn logs. For two years, beginning in the Spring of 1857, it housed the town’s only dining establishment, meals costing seventy-five cents.

As the town progressed so did the accommodations. In 1860, Emanuel “Mike” Brannan built a two-story hotel on the northeast corner of Main and Lassen streets. It was a transitional period, as the days log structures were being placed with wooden framed ones. Brannan operated the hotel for the next four years, and due to some financial problems lost the hotel. Just as the Brannan House had replaced Arnold’s, Brannan’s was replaced by the superior Steward House in 1864.

The Brannan House did not fade away entirely. Its second floor was converted into lodge hall for the Masons and the Oddfellows. The first floor was used for a variety purposes including that of the post office and the government land office. In 1880, it was torn down and replaced by a new Oddfellows Hall.

Support this site, Subscribe today.

Susanville’s first hospital was not built until 1883, and prior to that it was druggist that played a key role in medical care. In the summer of 1860, Dr. Zenas J. Brown arrived in Susanville and began dispensing drugs from a canvas tent. He met with commercial success and at 802 Main Street, he had an octagonal drug store built—which the locals gave him the nickname of Doctor Eight Square. The following year he was joined Dr. Robert F. Moody, and Moody would become sole proprietor of the firm within three years. Dr. Brown it should be noted introduced the first apple trees to the region, which at one time was a major export crop.

For indigent care, those person’s were housed in a local hotel, until they either recovered or not, which the county picked up the tab. For instance, in September 1864, Emanuel “Mike” Brannan, proprietor of the Brannan House, submitted a claim to the county in the amount of $75.31 for lodging, medical and burial expenses of John Tuskey.

Then there is Dr. Zetuz N. Spalding’s arrival to the region in 1857, and would later be the founder of the venerable Spalding Drug Store. One of Spalding’s earlier advertisements noted his many skills: “Z.N. Spalding, Physician, Surgeon and Accoucheur. Teeth extracted without pain, by use of Anaesthetics.”

On a final note, the Lassen County Historical Society’s April 2015 newsletter had a short piece on R.F. Moody. A little known fact, was Moody placed Lassen County’s first billboard back in the late 1870s on the Horse Lake Road. Carved in stone he advertised his Sagebrush Liniment.

Support this site and subscribe today!