While financial depression of the 1930s wreaked havoc in most of the nation, there were pockets, while still hit hard, it was not bleak like so many regions. Lassen County was fortunate, though it did not escape the ills of the depression. On the bright side the big three lumber mills—Fruit Growers, Lassen Lumber and Red River—remained opened, but with curtailed operations. That was a major feat, since sawmills of the west coast were hit hard with some 70-80% closed.

The northern half of the county was an interesting tale of boom and bust at the same time. Big Valley boomed, especially Bieber and the newly created Nubieber. This was attributed with the arrival of the railroads, i.e. the Great Northern Extension, Highline, Inside Gateway, etc since it is referred by several names. In 1931, at Nubieber, the Great Northern connected with the Western Pacific Railroad and exciting times were to be had. Its neighboring section to the east, the Madeline Plains did not fare so well. That district’s downfall had already been on the decline in the 1920s and the 1930s accelerated its depopulation. Joining that club the desert homesteaders of eastern Honey Lake as well as Secret Valleys who saw their future wane. Only the hardiest would remain.

Another segment of the agricultural community that took a deep hit were those associated with the Baxter Creek and Tule Irrigation Districts. For many their dreams collided with reality when Leon Bly’s tapping Eagle Lake for a water supply failed for the districts—forcing untold bankruptcies.

For Susanville it was a very transformative time. From the 1910s and 1920s witnessed an explosive growth and transformation. By the early 1930s it experienced an economic hangover. While it had some struggles, it had modest growth. As a bonus was President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal that among things Susanville would be a beneficiary for a swimming pool and post office, the latter still in operation.

Finally, it should be noted by the late 1910s, rural communities such as Doyle, Janesville, Milford and Standish had already begun a slow decline. The culprit, the automobile and better roads. One could now travel a greater distance thus bypassing the need to stay and for that matter do trade. Fast forward to 2022, and that trends continue with residents going to Chico, Redding and Reno to conduct business.

Support

In 1909, the Standish Water Company incorporated with ambitious plans to initially reclaim 4,000 acres of sagebrush lands on the east side of Honey Lake, just south of Amedee. Their water supply—Honey Lake. Not only they intended to construct a pumping plant, they did.

October 4, 1910, a beautiful Lassen County fall day, set the mood for the inauguration of the pumping plant. Early in the morning the crowd began arriving and by noon all parts of Honey Lake Valley represented. The Standish brass band, with their flag-draped wagon, added to the gala appearance of the occasion.

At one o’clock the whistle blew from the engine house of the plant. The crowd of spectators assembled on the banks of the wide canal awaiting the momentous event. The forthcoming water burst from the pipes to fill the canal and send the precious liquid through the parched soil. The historic event signaled a turning point in the reclamation work of Lassen County. The visitors were then invited to inspect the engine house and tour the lands and eleven miles of canals completed to date.

In the Company’s first year 1,000 acres had been planted with sugar beets, with a successful harvest. The following year was a success, too. This changed in 1913, in one of those bureaucratic snafus. The Standish Water Company sold water to individuals who were homesteading on federal lands. Once those individuals met the government’s requirements they could acquire the land for a nominal fee. Disputes occurred, usually from neighbors. In this particular instant, Thomas Philbin contested John Ramsey’s request for a final proof for his 160 acre homestead. The United States Government Land Office (GLO) investigated Philbin’s claim, which they dismissed. However, when it was learned Ramsey’s source of water supply was Honey Lake, it raised a concern. The government forced the operation to shut down, until theState of California corrected its vague rules on appropriation of water from  lake with no outlet. The Standish Water Company never recovered and in 1915 sold to Rosendal Minster.

Donate

Its been nearly a half a century since the Mapes family sold their well known ranch located east of Litchfield to the Five Dot Land & Cattle Company. Like the Dodge Ranch on the Madeline Plains, the Mapes Ranch still retains its name, even though no longer owed by the family.

The ranch’s early history is interesting, once owned by the Shaffer Brothers in the 1860s—hence the origin of the name Shaffer Mountain. For a time it was owned by John D. Kelley and Hiram Winchell.  Dissolving their partnership was a bitter dispute that required litigation in the Lassen County Superior Court. On June 30, 1885 the ranch was sold at public auction. It was purchased by Sierra Valley rancher, George W.  Mapes for$11,000. The sale included all the livestock and farming equipment.

George hired his brother, Ira C. Mapes to manage the ranch. George was involved in a variety. of affairs including the Washoe County Bank. When the 1893 financial crisis hit, to protect his interest he transferred the Honey Lake property to Ira. It would take years for the economy to recover and in the meantime Ira passed away. Ira’s family refused to deed back the ranch to George. End of story.

Tim