Welcome 2026-A Little Late

Susanville sunrise, October 29, 2025. Courtesy of Dan Newton

This is such a great photograph taken last fall, that I thought might be inspiring for the first day of the year, but alas malfunctions you did not receive notification on New Years Day..  For me I am looking forward 2026, since previous post was about Tanner Ranch, that consumed a lot of my energy in 2025, which I will repost.  Onward ho.

I hope to revive cemetery tours, I have an interesting one scoped out for Lassen Cemetery. I am also open to suggestions.

Lastly, I thank you for your patience about the daily notification glitch. I struggled for nearly week to resolve it. My knowledge of the inner workings of plugins and so forth has a lot to be desired. But we made it. I will blame it on the recent earthquakes, that changed the settings!

Tim

 

Recap of Events 1925 – Part II

The Colony Dam, Susan River, November 1897. Courtesy of Betty Barry Deal

July – Lassen County Fish & Game Warden C.O. Fisher had some terse words to the farmers along the Susan River watershed. Fish & Game wanted plant some 300,000 trout into the river. Before the planting could be done the farmers needed that there diversion dams and ditches to become into compliance since many were in violation of California Penal Code Sections 629, 636 and 637.

August – On August 26, California Governor William Richardson paid Susanville a visit. It was his twenty county tour to inspect the state highway construction projects.

September – Susanville was chosen to host of the State American Legion Convention in 1926. It was estimated that it would bring 2,500 people for the week long event.

Ravendale, in better times.

October -One consistent theme throughout the year was the prevalence of bootleggers. In October. Lassen County Sheriff Carter  paid a visit to Ravendale resident Jim Ingram. The sheriff and his deputies confiscated a still and 80 gallons of whiskey. Ingram pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to pay a fine of $500 or spend 500 days in the county jail. Ingram choose  jail time.

November – The Lassen County Board of Supervisors approved the construction of a Veterans Memorial building. It would be a multi-purpose facility, not only provided a much needed auditorium, but it would house  the offices of the chamber of commerce, farm bureau and horticultural agent.

December – On December 4  the organization meeting of the Susanville Rotary Club was held. The initial officers were: John B. Spalding, President; J.A. Pardee, Vice zPresident; C.H. Bridges, Treasurer; E.L. Shirley, Secretary and Harry Coleman Sergeant at Arms. It was decided upon weekly luncheon meetings to be held on Wednesday. They selected the Hotel Mt. Lassen as the meeting location, yet it still was under construction. It should noted that the local Rotary Club did not receive its charter until the spring of 1926.

Tim

Secondary Source Editorial

Since we are between Christmas and New Years, I going to have a little rant, since readership drops significantly during this period.

First, I take pride in my research. In 1988, I published my book about Eagle Lake. It was not the first book about the lake, as Robert Amesbury’s work debut in 1971. In a happenstance meeting at the defunct Galley bar and restaurant at the lake, Bob congratulated on my work. In fact, he went on stay, that he had all bullshit and I had the facts.

Over ninety percent of my research I use primary sources, i.e. original documents and so forth. I consult published works, too. In 2024, I consulted David Myrick’s work on Railroads of Nevada and Eastern California. He was a noted railroad historian and since I worked him on later projects, he was a thorough. But. when Myrick wrote about Southern Pacific broad gauging the NCO Railway’s tracks, he  mentioned that the work had begun at Wendel on July 1, 1927 with 800 men. So I assumed that information was correct. Other railroad historians, did too, including John Signor and Jack Bowden.  When I researched trying to find out when the last NCO train left Wendel before the railroad conversion, I found out that  Myrick’s was incorrect on that topic..The railroad work, as Myrick stated, did start on July 1 at Wendel. The workforce, in the beginning was 125, not 800. In a matter time, it increased to 450. When the standard gauge rails were ready to be installed, the Southern Pacific brought in additional100 men to do the work. These workers it should be noted were scattered in camps along the line and not in Wendel.

Just goes to show, consider the source.

Tim

A recent archival find that is related to the topic.

Amedee’s General Store

The Amedee General Store, – Courtesy of Aldah Riesenman

When I scanned this image back in September, in my mind I had drafted out the article. Disruptions occurred and I lost that train of thought.

For small towns, the general store was the lifeblood of the community. Many doubled as a post office, so it was one more factor that the store was the social hub. Amedee owed its existence to the NCO Railroad. In 1922, the last train rolled through there. In 1924, J.H. Peffley shuttered the town’s general store, along with the post office. Peffley chose not to remain at Amedee and moved to Fresno where he died in 1931.

Tim

 

A Hartson Family Christmas, 1916

Hartson Family Christmas, 1916-John Theodore

This was the Christmas gathering of the home Charles and Sarah Hartson, South Pine Street, Susanville, 1916. Fortunately, nearly everyone is identified. The identification is from left to right;

Front Row: Ethel Hartson, Vesta Holmes, Kenneth Cain, Dorothy Hartson, Donald Hartson, Lois Hartson, Willa Hartson, Jud Theodore and Kittie Holmes.

Second Row: Bernard Holmes, Elmer Hartson, Roland Holmes, Leota Dakin, Merle Hartson, Mona Hartson, Rhea Hartson, Beryl Holmes, Naomi Hartson, Catherine Hartson, Carrie Hartson, Edith Hartson and George Hartson,

Third Row: Laura Hartson, Frank Hartson, Myra Brownell, Eva Cain, Charles Hartson, Sarah Hartson, Elsie Dakin, Hattie Theodore, Rose Hartson, George Cain and Annie Theodore.

Fred McClellan, Burta McClellan, Mardis Barry, Mabel Brownell Barry, unknown and Walter Dakin.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

Tim

Butte Lake/Cinder Cone, Lassen Park

Butte Lake with Cinder Cone in the background

It is Christmas Eve, and what better way to take a moment to relax with this picturesque postcard of Butte Lake. The lake situated in the northeast corner of Lassen Volcanic National Park and is accessible from Highway 44 with a turn off to a dirt road, of about six miles. Because it is off the beaten path, there are no crowds and it does not feel like you are in a national park. If you never been there, or has it been a long time since you last visited, you might want to include in next summer’s list of places to go and see.

Tim

 

Tuesday Tidbit – Honey Lake Sailing

In 1987 an informal regatta was held on Honey Lake.

Lassen Advocate – 9 March 1899 – Milford Murmurs. Gus Grunt and Capt. John Hansen are a building a sail boat for hauling wood across the lake to Amedee, and while we appreciate their enterprise, we can predict but failure, since the winds upon the lake are not reliable upon, and we advise that they take a small tug along in case of adverse winds or a calm.

Tim

 

A 1927 Rabbit Drive Editorial

A picnic at Wendel Hot Springs, circa 1917.—Betty Barry Deal

Lassen Advocate, 31 January 1927 – Jack Rabbit Drives. We had never given the jack rabbit drives that have been held in Lassen County lately much thought until last Sunday, other to realize that killing the number of rabbits that they were of value to the county and the farmer.

“Last Sunday the drive at Milford brought out between 400 to 500 people, men, women and children and each and every one not only helped the agricultural interest of the county by their presence and assistance, but had a good day’s sport to boot. Many of those at the Milford drive Sunday stated then and their intention of taking in the drive at Wendel the coming Sunday.

“Try and make arrangements to attend the Wendel drive, we our assuring that you will have a good day’s sport, you will be of service to your county and the farmers, and they will be glad to see you. No guns are allowed. All you need to bring is a good stout club, pick handle etc. No need to bring a lunch as “hot dogs” cooked in the hot springs will be served to all.”

Note: The organizers of the Wendel drive were overwhelmed when 1200 people showed up, out numbering the rabbits.

Tim

 

Exploring Lassen County's Past