Last Friday, we explored Potter’s Maternity Home. I just happened to come across the other day a photograph that included Susanville’s best known midwife, Ruth “Ma” Potter.

Tim

Ruth “Ma” Potter (1886-1965) was a Susanville institution of sorts. In the early 1930s, the Utah native, opened a maternity home at Main and Park Streets, the current location of the closed  Rite Aid. She continued on until 1963, when she finally retired. It should be noted that her home was moved to South Street in 1966 to make way for United California Bank. There is a plaque in the sidewalk marking the site.

During the time when Potter’s was in operation, one was either born there or at Riverside Hospital, the latter no longer exists. While my three siblings were born at Potter’s, I decided to be different or difficult, whatever the case may be, and was born at Riverside Hospital.

Tim

P.S. – There was the Lassen County Hospital. My Aunt Irene Bengoa Purdy worked there in the 1950s and the 1960s, She referred it as “County.”  Births there were rare, and basically it those that were indigent. This would all change in 1963, when Lassen County built the Memorial Hospital which replaced Potters and Riverside.

Awhile ago, I referenced the 1958 Standard industrial Survey for Susanville. I thought some may like to have peek of some information in the report. Times have certainly changed.

Of course, lumber was still king in Susanville. Here is some employment figures: Fruit Growers Supply Company, 350 employees; Paul Bunyan Lumber Company, 300; Susanville Logging Company, 150;  Wirth Lumber Products, 50; Lassen Lumber Products, 15 and Orr Wood Products, 5.

Housing Availability, Prices and Rentals. The housing census as of April 1950 showed 1,721 dwelling units, of which 22 percent in structures built since 1940 and 1,687 were occupied. Of these 1024 were owner occupied, or 61 percent and had a median value of $9,000. Of the renter dwellings, 14 precent rented for less $20 per month., 42 percent for $20 to $39 per month, 35 percent for $40 to $59 per month and 8 percent from $60 to $74 per month, with 2 percent in excess of $75  per month. Since 1950 rents have risen about 25 percent and permits have been issued for 106 new dwelling units.

Community Facilities. Susanville has 2 general hospitals with a bed capacity of 74. Other medical facilities include 7 physicians and surgeons, 5 dentists, and 1 chiropractor, new 25-bed County Hospital in planning stage. Education facilities include 4 elementary schools. 1 high school and 1 junior college–1 parochial school. There are 28 churches, 1 library, 1 newspaper, and 2 banks. Recreational facilities include 1 theater, 2 parks, 6 playgrounds and Roosevelt Swimming Pool.,

Tim

First, I have had this photograph in my archives for decades. It is frustrating because its unidentified. A great photograph., though.

There is some rich untold stories about the game of billiards and the discussions that took place during the games. . It is a facet locally, that has not been well chronicled. The Pioneer had a large billiard room with assorted snooker and pool tables. Those days are gone. In fact, I do not believe there is any public establishment that has a pool table in Susanville.

Tim

On January 16, 1911, M.O, Folsom filed his map for the East Addition subdivision to Susanville. It was located east of the town and north of Halls Addition. The property was familiar to many, since it was the location of the racetrack and fairgrounds that had long since been abandoned. In the summer of 1912 work began to clear the property of sagebrush and grade streets. In addition, two speculative houses were built at North and Spruce Streets. The 300 lot subdivision created the following streets–First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Grand Avenue, Oak, Fir, Cedar, Spruce, Park and Ash. Folsom had North Street extended to his subdivision. The street had previously terminated at Weatherlow.

The East Addition contained a number of covenants. No property could be sold or transferred to foreigners, i.e. “Chinese, Japanese, negroes, Hindus or other objectionable races,” or as the Lassen Mail noted, “This addition will be for the Caucasian race only.” The East Addition promoted its healthy environment–one with a sewer system and which prohibited stables for livestock. Finally, and, what was important for property values, each house. constructed must cost at least $1,000, though in certain blocks that requirements was raised to $1,500.

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These Welsh Brothers came to Susanville in the mid-1860s. The first to arrive William “Bill” in 1866, and followed by his brother, Morgan in 1867. The brothers, it should be noted, were carpenters. In February 1867, Bill Williams was awarded the contract to build Lassen County Courthouse at  cost of $9,850. The two men were kept busy, and the courthouse was completed on October 28, 1867. The brothers  dabbled in other pursuits including homesteading, Morgan filed on 160 acres, adjoining the Goodrich Ranch at Mountain Meadows, His brother, claimed land at Devils Corral along the Susan River, There is a small stream located there and is known as Williams Creek.

The documentation of their lives in the Susanville region is sporadic. For instance in fall of 1875, Morgan took his family on an extended trip to Europe. In 1877, the Williams Brothers were busy constructing rental houses in Susanville. By 1880, William Williams relocated to Sacramento where he died in 1883. In 1888, Morgan Williams sought greener pastures in New Mexico. He died in 1893.

Tim

It is official that iconic Susanville Elk’s Lodge is up for sale. If the new owner wants to convert it a residence, that it once was, I do have some information on the matter. In 1908, J. Henry & Annie Swain purchased the building and they moved their family there. It needed a lot of work, since a portion of it was never finished. Improvements were made to the six bedroom house, that would featured not one, but two bathrooms which was unheard at the time.

For years, I corresponded with Frances Swain who grew up in the house. She provided me with sketches of the layout and that I thought some may be interested in.

Tim