Lassen Peak’s Fake Eruption

July 25, 2021 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Lassen Volcanic National Park was established in 1916, without much fanfare. Congress appropriated a bare bones budget and initially Yosemite National Park oversaw Lassen. In 1922, L.W. Collins became Lassen Park’s first superintendent. By the late 1920s, numerous improvements were made at Lassen, one of the biggest was the park highway completed in 1931.

To celebrate that event and others Collins decided to hold a park dedication extravaganza. On July 25, 1931 Lassen Volcanic National Park held its dedication. Park Superintendent L.W. Collins had big plans, which were widely criticized. To highlight the dedication Collins wanted to create a fake eruption to resemble the volcanic eruptions of 1914-15 that made national headlines and led to the creation of the park. Continue reading Lassen Peak’s Fake Eruption →

History

Logging the Peninsula

July 24, 2021 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

In 1916, after the Red River Lumber Company met its initial contractual obligation with Great Western Power Company to harvest timber for the Lake Almanor reservoir site, they began logging their lands to the west of Westwood.* Red River focused harvesting all the timber between Westwood and Chester, which included the Lake Almanor peninsula. In 1920/21 Red River had logging spurs going in north/south direction—the northerly one along Bailey Creek, the other south to the Peninsula. The latter, Red River established a sole logging camp No. 29. The peninsula was unique, especially towards the lower end was forested with fir—not pine. The fir at that time was considered to have no value whatsoever, even to use as fuel for the locomotives. By 1922, Red River’s mission accomplished for that area met, and their main line rails made it to its intended destination on the south side of Chester.

*Red River received a reprieve from Great Western, since that company scaled back the initial flooding of the reservoir site by half.

Support

History

Koken For Assessor

July 23, 2021 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

This is an accidental post, if there ever was one. Last December while in the garage to work on the Triumph, this came out of the owner’s manual. How it found its way there I do not know. Several months later while researching a 1926 topic, is when I stumbled across where Elmer Koken was a candidate for Lassen County Assessor.

In 1891, Koken came to the Honey Lake Valley from over the mountain from Taylorsville. He was involved in many activities and at one time managed the Standish Creamery. He entered politics in 1922 and was elected District Three, Lassen County Board of Supervisors. Four years later, he set his sights higher, instead of running for re-election as Supervisor, in March 1926 he took out papers to run for Lassen County Assessor. He was soon followed by Milford resident, Lyman Stiles. Next to enter the race was Frank Wemple. During the primary, the race was whittled down to two—Koken and Wemple. In the general election, Frank Wemple was victor, who would be re-elected to four additional terms. While Koken lost the election, he eventually found employment with Lassen County as its first Purchasing Agent.

Tim

History

Post Camp, Lassen County

July 22, 2021 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Post Camp, was located on the south side of Observation Peak, NW 1/4 Section 9, T. 33 N. R. 16 E. The camp was established in the late 1870s, by George D. Winters of the Smoke Creek Ranch, who would later acquire the Shinn Ranch Located there were large stands of juniper and mountain mahogany used to make fence posts for both the Shinn and Smoke Creek Ranches. The place remained in public domain for a number of years.

In 1894, James “Juniper Jim” Rousell, also spelled as Russell arrived on the Madeline Plains, where he would live the rest of his life. In the late 1890s, he settled at Post Camp. According to folklore has it that he said the only way a person could survive there was to supplement their diet with juniper berries. In 1904, he acquired title to the property and sold it in 1912, to Virgile Galleron.

It should be noted that Rousell was married to Sarah Ellen McMurphy, a well known family of the era in the Honey Lake Valley. They had six children, but the couple divorced in 1906. It should be noted they are both buried together in the Susanville Cemetery.

Tim

History

Lassen County Fair Week

July 21, 2021 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Big Wheel competition, Lassen County Fair, 1923..

It is that time of year and well personally, I have never adjusted to having the county fair in July. The first fair in 1878 was held in October. In 1922, when the fair became an annual event it was usually held in September. Then after World War II it changed to the third week in August. Like so many events they evolve over the years.

Tim

History

Lassen College Camels

July 19, 2021 Tim Purdy 2 Comments

1940 Camel — 1940 Lassen College yearbook cover

In about a month, fall semester will start at Lassen Community College. So a little bit of Lassen College history. By 1930s, schools were adopting mascots. In 1937, the college adopted the “Camel.” Its selection was attributed to the forestry students. An interesting choice, that puzzled future alumni.

Shortly, after World War II a discussion was held whether the camel was an appropriate mascot, since it was so far removed from its natural habitat. It was decided to select a mascot of a local nature and the “Cougar,” was selected to replace the camel.

Subscribe.

History

Hog Fire – One Year Later

July 18, 2021 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Hog Fire on the evening of July 18, 2020 as seen from the Hulsman Ranch—-Courtesy of Hulsman Ranch

It was a year ago, on Saturday afternoon July 18, 2020 a fire was reported in the vicinity of Hog Flat Reservoir. By Sunday the fire quickly spread over 5,000 acres. For the next few days the smoke was horrendous. The fire damaged a fire optic line and that it turn many lost cellphone and internet service. Once repaired, two days later the Hat Creek Transmission line was damaged, and the area went without power.

Initially, it appeared the fire was heading east towards the Lake Forest Estates subdivision, which mandatory evacuation was imposed. Conditions changed, the fire then headed south towards Devils Corral, causing more mandatory evacuations along the Highway 36 corridor. The fire ultimately jumped Highway 36, and prompting initial fears that it would head up Cheney Creek, but that did not happen.

By the end of the month, the fire was contained to 9,564 acres. Cause of the fire, never determined.

Spread the word, and encourage a friend to subscribe

History, News

Those BLM Tours of the Past

July 17, 2021 Tim Purdy 2 Comments

Back in the mid-1990s, Don Manuel, the BLM archeologist and myself as a historian, conducted tours involving prehistoric and historic sites. It all began during Archeology Week during the month of May. The first one was so popular, we did several throughout the summer. For the next several years we did multiple tours—even a special east side Eagle Lake tour, though that was not with Don, but Stan Bales.

The tours had several purposes. One to introduce people to BLM lands and the opportunities of the various places to explore on their own. Equally important was to educate individuals about the importance of preservation of sites. Stops at archaeological sites that had been disturbed/vandalized provided was an opportunity to highlight the message.

An abandoned homestead near Sheepshead in the Smoke Creek Desert, 1996.

Historical sites as well are subjected to vandals and such. One year I pushed to include Great Basin Architecture of abandoned homesteads, knowing full well the elements of Mother Nature would reclaim the property, so it was a rare opportunity to be included. BLM said no, and now the buildings are gone. To be quite honest this ticked me off. The BLM personnel involved in the tours were paid, I received no compensation, but I was half of the tour composition. Enough of my ranting.

From time to time I am asked if the tours can be revived. Those inquiries I relayed to BLM, while receptive, they were non-commital, and the last time was three years ago, but I never heard back.

Tim

History

Smithon, Lassen County

July 16, 2021 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Most people have never heard of this place, when the NCO Railroad designated it as a station in 1899. Some names stick, and others do not and that is the story of Smithon, known today by many as Wendel.

In the mid-1880s, Isaac W. “Doc” Smith located at what was when then known as Upper Hot Springs. In early 1899 there were rumblings that the NCO Railroad would finally extend its line north, after a decade of being stalled for numerous reasons. On April 25, 1899, Amedee merchant Sam Johnstone wrote to his brother with some inside information: “Well railroad business is somewhat at a stand still. Now think Amedee will be moved to Doc Smith’s place. That is where those warm springs are. They have built a side track there and have leveled it up. Will also build water tank that holds 42,000 gallons of water. Mr. Gest calls the place Smithon. They expect to move the shipping corral up there for fall shipping of stock and think the Depot for Honey Lake merchants will be there. The railroad is not doing much work now as they are out of steel [rails].”

Amedee was not moved to Smithon, but Doc Smith, in 1901, had a building moved from Amedee and then enlarged as a hotel. In 1910, the hotel was destroyed by fire, and the NCO designated the location as Boyd.

Support

News

Ask Tim

July 15, 2021 Tim Purdy 3 Comments

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.

Tim