After several posts concerning the Secret Valley CCC camp, a reader wanted to know why Secret was so named. The name was applied to region by the late 1860s.

In 1927, when Frank Heath traveled through the region he wrote: “Wild hay along southwest side of Secret Valley—which so named by a poetical cowboy on account of its many secret springs.”   On September 20,  1864, Melissa Turner recorded the first land claim in Secret Valley. On December 6, 1888, the Lassen Advocate published this descriptive account: “Secret Valley lies about twenty-five miles northeast of Susanville and is surrounded on all sides by mountains, covered sparsely by timber, although there is sufficient juniper in the
immediate vicinity to provide fuel for a long time.  Lumber is hauled
from this valley. The land, in this valley, is great part sagebrush soil bearing the large, thick brush, by which we of Northern California have learned to distinguish as fertile soil.  There is, however, considerable meadow land, largely comprised in the ranches of J. B. McKissick, J.J. Tipton and James Sellick, water altogether with springs, which are quite warm, although the water does not by any means approach the boiling point.  Within the enclosure of T. Ashby are seventy-five springs. Mr. Ashby has raised this year about sixty thousand pounds of fine potatoes which grow in Secret to a large size and of a very fine quality.”

On a final note there is a small family cemetery in Secret Valley, and interred there is John Best “Buster” the proclaimed World’s First Champion Cowboy. in 1876.

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The “Roaring Twenties” of a century ago began with a thud. After World War I the nation dived into an economic recession. By 1922/23 things slowly improved.  In the meantime,  so much had changed with the automobile and highway improvements folks were ready to go out and explore.

In California, local auto clubs held group functions. One of these became known as a ‘socialbility run.” It was a multi-purpose event, to explore, promote and enjoy California’s wonders. Lassen Volcanic National Park dubbed as California’s newest playground, back in the day, drew lots of attention, because it was so unknown.

The Sacramento Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Sacramento Motor Dealers Association proposed two socialbility runs to Lasssen Park. The first run on July 4th to Drakesbad and for Labor Day an excursion to Manzanita Lake.

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In 1993, I asked the now late local attorney James E. Pardee if he would write a foreword for my upcoming book Honey Lake Justice: The Neversweats of the 1860s. Jim, of course, obliged. Of course, that was thirty years ago. While recently reviewing what Jim wrote, a lot is still relevant.  The the following was Jim’s opening paragraph.

”We live in an age of excesses—and on occasion it is good to have these pointed out, directly or indirectly, so that we can endeavor to do better the next time around. I am sure that Mr. Purdy didn’t intend to preach or point a finger. However, when you read his book and are brought to realize that people brought suit to recover $63.65 for a month’s lodging , $51.50 for back wages and finally a bar bill for 23 drinks at 25 cents a drink for a total of $5.75; we can’t help but reason that inflation in today’s market has gone mad.”

Tim