Doyle & Hunsinger and Lassen Auto Building, Susanville, circa 1927
On January 23, 1926, Doyle & Hunsinger Motor Company held a grand opening celebration in their new building on the 600 block of Main Street. Their Ford dealership occupied the west side of the building. The eastern side of the building was the home of B.R. Holmes Lassen Auto Company. Holmes had acquired the property that for many years was the location of Hi Skadan’s Livery Stable. Over the course of several years, Doyle would acquire Hunsinger’s interest and then eventually buying out Holmes to own the entire building.
In 1914-15, B.F. Loomis became a widely known photographer for his stunning photographs of the Lassen Peak volcanic eruptions. Loomis was fortunate since he operated a hotel at nearby Viola, a short distance from the peak. Loomis would become an ardent supporter of Lassen Volcanic National Park. In 1926, Loomis purchased 40-acres near Reflection Lake, which at that time was not inside the park. In 1927, he built a museum of native stone and reinforced concrete. The museum served two purposes. One, it allowed him to showcase his famed photographic collection of the Lassen Peak eruptions, previously on display at his hotel at Viola. The second it served as a memorial to his only child Louise Mae, who died in 1920. In 1929, he donated the property to the park, which in turn the park gave him a life estate to the museum property. Loomis, by the way, passed away in 1935.
Fast forward to the 1970s and the Manzanita Lake Controversy. On April 26, 1974, park officials announced the abrupt closure of the Manzanita Lake facilities due to geological hazards. This did not go over well—and is a story in itself. The park had to decide what to do with the various buildings such as Manzanita Lake Lodge. After numerous debates spanning a decade it was decided to demolish all the buildings., including the Loomis Museum, which received a last minute reprieve. Day use slowly resumed, and in time a portion of the Manzanita Lake campground reopened.
In August 1991, the park celebrated its 75th anniversary with a special reopening of the Loomis Museum. The park had been slowly renovating the historic structure, which in 1975 was placed on National Register of Historic Places. In 1993, the museum was fully rehabilitated, and once again opened on a permanent seasonal basis, as it had done since 1927.
A view of Diamond Mountain from Antelope Grade, January 1975
On a quarterly basis, I ask you the reader, if there is something you would like to learn more about or maybe its something you heard, but question its validity. So here is an opportunity to participate. I will do my best to answer any questions. It should be noted, it may take awhile for the answer to appear as a post. The primary reason, many of the daily posts are done nearly a month in advance. So by the time you read this I am already working on posts for the middle of August, or at least I should be. Whatever the case may be, I look forward to hearing from you. Of course, it should be noted that paid subscribers requests receive priority. In addition, you can always send a request at any time.
At the October 2015 meeting of the Eagle Lake Interagency Board, the Bureau of Land Management reported that Chico State University was exploring avenues to close down the facility. At that time, the Bureau of Land Management reported that they would be willing to take back the property they donated to the University back in 1964. However, they stated in order to do so, the University would have to remove all improvements, i.e, buildings etc. At the moment, from my limited knowledge on the topic, it appears everything is at a standstill, as the University does not want to be burden with the costs of removal. However, another educational institution could take it over. When I was still on the Lassen College Board, I brought up this topic, but it has not gained traction.
The field station was the creation of biology instructor Doctor Vesta Holt. The first classes were taught at Spaulding Tract in 1945. In the early 1950s, with increased enrollment studies were moved to the south shore at the Eagle Lake Resort. After the Merrill Flat Fire of 1955, operations were moved to Susanville and Westwood and until a new home could be located. It was not until 1964, when a new home was located just north of the abandoned Bly Tunnel and in 1968 dedication ceremonies were held at the new facility.
The idyllic community of Clear Creek has a long history before it took on a new life in the 1920s by the Red River Lumber Company. It was first settled in 1872 by Henry “Hank” Landt who migrated back and forth between Big Meadows (Lake Almanor). Landt wore many “hats” from being a resort operator, fisherman, fur trader and sawmill operator. On August 5, 1875 he filed for the water rights to Clear Creek to protect the development of the trout fishing ponds that he had established. In 1890, Landt sold the property to Orman Folsom and moved to Susanville. Folsom never did anything with the property, it was an investment, like so many others he had. In 1909, Folsom sold to for Thomas B. Walker, of the Red River Lumber Company for $6,500
An artist sketch of the lynching of Holden Dick and Mexican Ben behind the Lassen County Courthouse, 1886.
One subject that people across the country research on this site is that of The Holden Dick Mine The latest journal of the Shaw Historical Society “Crimes and Tragedy” includes the “Ballad of Holden Dick, Gold, Murder and Vigilante Justice”. Of course, as usual, the journal includes a wide variety of topics that readers will enjoy.
Copies of “Crimes and Tragedy” are available at the Klamath County Museum and Basin Book Trader in Klamath Falls, Modoc County Museum in Alturas, Country Hearth in Cedarville, Howard’s Drugs in Lakeview, Margie’s Book Nook in Susanville or by contacting the Shaw Historical Library by email at shawlib@oit.edu or by calling 541-885-1686.
Standish Livery Stable and Meat Market, 1909. Left to Right: Todd Hemler, Bill Kennedy and Fred Hansen. Courtesy of Vivian Hansen.
In 1904, George Short (brother-in-law to James Mapes) established the Standish Livery Stable on Milford Street (A-3). In 1906, he built an addition which became the home of the Standish Meat Market. Both the livery stable and meat market were leased to various individuals such as Fred Hansen, Todd Hemler and Floyd Bass. In 1912, Fred Hansen moved the meat market to a new location. In 1913, Louis A. Kline purchased the livery stable. Kline at the same time leased the Wrede Hotel located to the north of the stable.
On November 18, 1913 the Standish Livery Stable was destroyed by fire, and for a time threatened the entire town. The fire started in the harness shop, the former site of the meat market. It was later learned the harness maker, went on a drunken spree, returned to the shop knocked over an oil stove, and passed out. When the building was engulfed in flames, it was discovered the nameless harness maker was inside and volunteers dragged him out.
Most of the contents of the livery stable was saved except for forty tons to hay. The harness shop and its contents was a total loss. Kline only had partial insurance on the building in the amount of $400 and did not rebuild.
Lassen Grain & Milling Company, circa 1918. Courtesy of Dick & Helen Harrison
The Lassen Grain and Milling Company was established in 1917 and located on Richmond Road, Susanville across from the Southern Pacific’s railroad depot. By the 1920s, the beleaguered company was barely holding its own. A major problem facing the company was the lack of grain being grown in the Honey Lake Valley to support the mill.
Enter the Susanville Mill Company. Founded in the fall of 1926, this company took over Lassen Grain. Susanville Mill comprised of three men—B.F. Hutchens, E.B. Birmingham and L.E. Deforest. Hutchens and Birmingham were executives of Fruit Growers Supply Company, while DeFores was well known in the local agricultural community. It was their intent to encourage local ranchers to plant turkey red wheat and provide them with the seed.
After several years of operation the company sold to Bronson & Doyle.
Main Street, Susanville, 1927. Note you can see where the fire burned above the Elks Lodge.
In June 2021 I wrote about a forest fireof 1926 that threatened Susanville, when it jumped the Susan River and spread to Inspiration Point.On July 2, 1926 the Lassen Mail had an editorial “Fire Danger Is Concern of Everyone.” Since it is that time of year when fire danger increases, I thought I would share the newspaper’s observation.
”During the closing days of June Susanville faced conditions that do not usually obtain until August. These conditions will become worse as the season advances and it will require the utmost care on the part of everyone to protect property interests. So far as the town of Susanville is concerned it is now reasonably well protected from fires that might sweep in from the surrounding hills. But the wealth of Lassen County lies in her forests and these forests are at the mercy of the camper and the tourist.
”The state forestry department should see that a competent fire warden is placed in charge of the Susanville district. He should be a man who realizes the importance of his position and who has the necessary experience. During the past week more damage was done by back fires set by incompetent persons than was done by the original fire. The fire that destroyed Red River timber and finally crossed the Susan River and threatened the town of Susanville was a backfire set by one of those incompetent people that got way beyond control and made the situation worse instead of better.”
The Mark advertisement, Lassen College yearbook 1970-71—Jim Chapman
This is an incomplete story, because I surrender. I started it over a well over year ago, I kept getting blindsided, and well 2021 between Covid, fires, heat, smoke, etc did not help. The Mark was established in 1948, by Ray and Connie Langley to become what is known as Herlong Junction. While The Mark is still exist, the original building depicted above does not. It was destroyed by fire around 2000 or so, but without the key piece of information, I am unable to complete story. In any case, one at least is able to see what the original establishment looked liked.
