Drakesbad, to those not familiar, is a small resort in Lassen Volcanic National Park.  The Alex Sifford family owned it from 1900 to1959 when it was sold to the park. It was originally known at Drakes Springs for the founder E.R. Drake.

At the end of 1913 season, Alex Sifford was at a crossroad with the resort,  Sifford’s road and resort improvements resulted in more business, though there was lot more needed. Sifford consulted with Susanville banker, Jules Alexander as to what do do. Alexander and Sifford formed the Drakes Spring Company to sell stock to raise capital. They hired Juan Brambilia to manage Drakes, and to relieve some of the burden for Sifford.

For marketing purposes it was decided to rename Drake’s Springs. It was Rae Alexander, wife Jules, and a shareholder of Drakes, who came up with a new name. It was the general consenus to retain the Drake name. Mrs. Alexander’s parents, (David and Fannie Knoch) were from Germany and the German word for spa and baths is bad. In June 1914 the announcement was made that the new resort would be known as Drakesbad.

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