Eastern Honey Lake Valley

December 26, 2022 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

In the 1800s and early 1900s there were a lot of dreamers and schemers whose desire to transform the sagebrush lands of eastern Honey Lake Valley into productive farm lands. It first began with Capt. Charles A. Merrill, who in 1878, proposed to use water from Honey Lake to irrigate the same. It should be noted that this is the same Merrill who worked relentlessly for twenty-five years to tap Eagle Lake for irrigation of the Honey Lake Valley. By 1891, there were so many reclamation projects underway, it was remarked that the Eagle Lake water would not be needed for irrigation, but it could be used to keep Honey Lake full for the pleasure of the members of the Amedee Yacht Club, among others.

Honey Lake pumping plant, 1911–Prentice Holmes

In 1910, the Standish Water Company built a pumping plant on the east shore of Honey Lake that they believed would transform the region into a major sugar beet production. It went bust. Then, in 1916, the Honey Lake Valley Irrigation District thought that they had a viable plan to tap Eagle Lake that went nowhere. Last, but not least was the Southern Irrigation District that was to transform the region with water from the Little Truckee River. By the 1920s, after so many failed attempts for reclamation the entrepreneurs gave up.

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History

An Interesting Christmas Postcard

December 25, 2022 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

A Laughead Christmas postcard.

One of the interesting characters in the Red River Lumber Company’s family was William Barlow “Bill” Laughead, a cousin to T.B. Walker the founder of the company. Laughead contributed to
Red River’s public image, all by accident.

In 1900, Bill, a high school drop out, left his native Ohio and went to Akeley, Minnesota to work in the woods. His first job was that as a logging camp chore-boy, slowly working his way up the ladder as an assistant bull cook, timekeeper, timber cruiser, surveyor and his last position being a construction engineer. After eight years in the woods, Bill moved to Minneapolis where he worked odd jobs and during the interim tried his skill in free-lance advertising work. In 1914 his cousin Archie Walker, hired him to work on an advertising campaign for the California operations. Laughead conceived the first drawings of the Paul Bunyan character. In 1916, a promotional pamphlet “Introducing Paul Bunyan” failed. The general public never heard of Paul Bunyan, he was just part of logging camp folklore. However, Archie liked the idea. By the mid-1920s the Paul Bunyan campaign flourished and became Red River’s logo.

In 1922, Laughead moved to Westwood and became the company’s advertising director. He filled in when necessary in other positions, such as the first manager of the Westwood Theater. When Red River sold in 1944, Laughead retired to Susanville. He would do illustrations for various trade publications related to the lumber industry. He also did whimsical Christmas cards for his friends, which is presented today.

Tim

History

Christian Science Society

December 24, 2022 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

In 1920 the Christian Scientists organized locally and held their meetings in the hall of the Knoch building. On August 26, 1931, they purchased property on the corner of Mill and Lassen Streets from Gladys Burroughs and Iva Raker. In the fall of 1937 they announced plans to build a church. The following spring, Enoch Strom began construction of the church. The first services were held in the new church on June 12, 1938. During the Thanksgiving Services of 1938 the building was dedicated. At the same the congregation was pleased to announce that is was debt free. Over the years saw a slow decline in attendance and in 1999, the local church disbanded.

Tim

History

Chicken Nuggets

December 23, 2022 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Vic Perry’s Store on Wheels, Standish, 1911. Courtesy of Alphozene Terril

This story has nothing to do with the kind of chicken nuggets people purchase at fast food outlets. Early on in my research career, I heard a lot of stories, some were true and others, not, but nonetheless they were good tales.

One particular tale was told to me many times, and that a particular incident occurred more frequently especially in the Gold Run and Richmond area. It was not unusual for a person who while prepping a chicken to eat, during the dressing stage, would find a small gold nugget stuck in the chicken’s craw. To add credence to this story, I came across the following tidbit: Lassen Advocate, March 25, 1897 – Vic Perry, the rustling poultry and egg denier, so reports say, recently killed and dressed a chicken for market, in the craw of which he found two dollars and seventeen cents worth of gold. We do not mention the matter as one that is particularly noticeable in this section, however remarkable it might be in other localities but simply present it as an ordinary every day sort of a fact.

Yet, here is another published account from Westwood’s Sugar Pine Press of January 26, 1928: “Gold is where you find it. Wendell Durkee bought a chicken at the store one day last week which he thinks is a bargain as in cleaning it he found a small gold nugget in the gizzard. Upon investigating where the chicken came from, it was found that a Susanville man raised it and thinks that the nugget was brought to the chicken yard in a load of gravel from the Susan River.”

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Roosevelt Pool Condemned

December 22, 2022 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

On December 22, 2004, the City of Susanville condemned the Roosevelt Pool citing structural defects. This became a long and some times not pleasant saga as to what direction to take. It would take a decade before any action was undertaken in February 2015 the old pool was demolished.

Slowly, but surely there would be a new pool, built adjacent to the old site. Getting all the parties to agree and move forward was another matter. In the end in 2017 a new outdoor community pool became a reality.

Tim

History

Willard Hill, Lassen County

December 21, 2022 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Willard Hill, 1940. Courtesy of Margaret A. Purdy

Willard Hill located some six miles west of Susanville was a popular winter sports venue. Its initial development came about through Lassen College’s Forestry Program inconjunction with the National Youth Administration. The latter provided each forestry student with not only academic training but to work in related forestry jobs. For their part-time work the students were paid $30 a month, however $20 a month was deducted for room and board in the converted Alpine Hotel dormitory. Continue reading Willard Hill, Lassen County →

History

Do You Remember?

December 20, 2022 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Lassen Industrial Bank advertisement, Lassen Mail, November 30, 1928

There was a time banks were a friendly institution, offering all kinds of services—many for free. As we know those days are long gone, like a. decent interest rate on savings account.

Anyhow, I came across this 1928 advertisement wherein the Lassen Industrial Bank offered Christmas Club accounts. I had no idea that this program dated that far back. Last time I recall, and some one could correct me, Christmas Club accounts went by the wayside in the 1980s. Along those same lines, many merchants had lay-away programs, where one could pay upfront in installments for a piece of merchandise, though some places are bringing that back. Times have changed.

Tim

History

Skedaddle Mountain

December 19, 2022 Tim Purdy 2 Comments

Honey Lake, 1997 with Skedaddle Mountain in the background

Skedaddle Mountain is known to many people for different attributes. Rockhounds enjoy exploring it, just as much as a chukar hunter. Whatever the case may be, many are not aware how it got its name.

Skedaddle was a Civil War term used primarily by Southerners meaning “to flee”. The mountains were named by the Kidder & Ives state line boundary survey crew in 1863. Their formal report stated: “The line crosses Honey Lake Valley east of the lake, about eight miles and thirty-eight chains west of High Rock Spring, from thence over a barren volcanic country to Rush Creek, crossing said creek one quarter of a mile east of Rush Creek Station. Between High Rock Spring and Rush Creek, a small valley, hitherto undiscovered, and named by us Skedaddle Valley, from the following circumstance, viz: On first discovering it we found a number of Pi Utes, of the Smoke Creek Band, who seized their weapons and rushed to the rocks, apparently to give us a warm reception. We immediately signaled them, held a parley, and induced some four of them to visit our camp. I then thought it best, in company with one man, to visit the Indian encampment, leaving orders to retain the Indians in our camp until my return. Soon after arriving at one of their bough houses, where we found several more Indians, we were recalled by one of our men, who stated that those retained in camp had escaped, not heeding the weapons which were aimed at them, but not fired. I then deemed it best to move camp that night, which was done, arriving at Mud Springs [Bull Flat] about twelve o’clock. Luckily, the line had been run the soldiers who went there to hunt the Indians, that there must have been at least fifty camped at that point, and they must have departed almost simultaneously with ourselves. I have consequently named the place Skedaddle Valley, thinking, however, that the victory was on our side, as we captured one gun from the enemy.”

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Honey Lake Pauite Place Names

December 18, 2022 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Thanks to Francis Riddell’s work on the Honey Lake Paiute Ethnography we know how the Paiutes named their landmarks. Let’s start with Secret Valley which was referred as Sawa nona “Brush Set.” A little to the south is Mud Flat, which was referred to as tubisha nuna. What makes this place unique, in wet years it is covered with water. In the summer, when the water recedes, it then covered with a blanket of wild sunflowers. This made it a favorite place for the Paiutes to gather sunflower seeds.

Bald Mountain was referred to as Guha kaive, for a plant they called guha, which is a small perennial herb known as Mentzelia. Thompson Peak T’kwangud which translate to “tower.” The area of Milford was known as Mata. This was the most important winter village of the Honey Lake Paiute. The southern territory of the Paiute extended to near present day Doyle. They referred to Long Valley Creek as Ak wug—sucker. It was important source for suckers which they caught in large numbers and dried them for winter use. It should be noted that Joaquin was born at Long Valley and was the last headman of the Honey Lake Paiute.

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Monthly Milk Inspection Reports

December 17, 2022 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Partial Cover Sheet. of the the monthly Milk Report

These reports generated during the 1930s provides some interesting insight into the local dairy industry. While there is the detailed analysis of milk samples, it also includes notations about various operations some of which I highlight below.

The Ralph Bass Ranch was given notice to comply with the Agricultural Code in regard to Dairy House and Equipment. They are now in the process of remodeling the Dairy House and putting in sterilizing equipment—January 1935

The C.C. Ulch Dairy discontinued selling market milk this month. A new cold storage box was installed at the Swiss Dairy Plant. J.H. McClelland was requested to put a canvas cover over his milk cans on the truck—April 1937

The Mt. Cove Dairy moved from the W.L. Sovy Ranch to the Masten Ramsey Ranch and is doing all bottling and capping at the new location—November 1937.

Tim