Note: This originally appeared on June 28, 2019. There are several new subscribers who would be quite interested on this topic. Also, unfortunately I have not located any additional information.

This short-lived ski resort was the brain child of Ernest “Ernie” Forbes, an Austrian skier. Forbes established Eagle’s Peak in 1971, in one of the more peculiar places, near Doyle. As the late Paul Herman informed me that Forbes always wanted his own ski hill. In a 1972 interview Forbes stated “Started a dream that is becoming more and more a reality everday.” He designed the entire operation with the first slope for beginner and intermediate skiers that according to Forbes to accommodate 150-200 skiers at a time. Of course, Forbes offered skiing lessons, since he had been a ski instructor at various resorts in the west. Other amenities included a snack bar, ski rentals and even a free shuttle service on weekends and holidays. Of course, Forbes had grandiose plans of a modern lodge, advanced ski runs and so forth, none ever materialized. Records are rather sketchy but it remained in operation until the early 1980s.

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In 1919, California approved yet another large highway construction bond for $40 million.  For Lassen County, the next highway project was from Susanville to the Nevada State Line—the forerunner of Highway 395. The Lassen Boulevard District was created to carry out the goal. The terminus location in Nevada at that time was known as Purdy (no relation) and is known today as Bordertown. Throughout the 1920s, the route was referred to as the Purdy Highway.

Of course, there were issues between Lassen County  officials and the State Highway Department. In the fall of 1919, Lassen asked for an appropriation of $360,000–the amount needed for grading, draining and surfacing with gravel for the entire length of the road. The State, on the other hand, thought it would be better to do it 20 mile increments of grading and paving. The State was victor and the highway was built in segments.

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In September 1885, James W. Shanklin constructed the first Said Valley reservoir for irrigation and stock purposes for his ranch in Grasshopper Valley. That dam was 25 feet high and 300 feet across. Over the years it had numerous owners. In 1934, it was purchased by George Heath, who also became the owner of the nearby Slate Creek reservoir. As early as 1929, the State Department of Water Resources stated neither dam was in compliance and requested that spillways be constructed for each reservoir. The winter of 1937-38 was one of the wettest on record for the 20^th century and, in Susanville, 33.68 inches of precipitation was measured. On May 8, 1938, the dam at Said Valley breached and caused considerable flood damage. On August 24, 1939, Heath sued Percy L. Castro for $50,000 in damages that were caused by dam failures. It was Heath’s contention that, since Castro leased the reservoirs and his Grasshopper Ranch, it was his duty to install the spillways that the Department of Resources requested. However, during the Department of Water Resources investigation, it was noted that even if the proper spillway had been installed at Said Valley, it would still have failed because of defects in the dam’s original foundation. The court ruled in favor of Castro and stated it was Heath’s responsibility and ordered Heath to pay Castro’s court costs. The dam was rebuilt, albeit on a smaller scale.

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