The NCO’s No. 2 Locomotive

September 2, 2021 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

While I periodically write about the Nevada-California-Oregon Railroad (NCO) that went from Reno, Nevada to Lakeview, Oregon, there are times a bit of refresher is needed for those just tuned it. First it should be noted, it was a narrow gauge railroad, so its rolling stock is much small than the traditional standard gauge railroad that most people are familiar with. From the NCO’s inception in 1879, it went through a lot of changes in its early years. First and foremost, it was known as the Nevada & Oregon Railroad. During its early evolution there were changes in ownership and direction. Whatever the case may be, it was not official until 1893 when it became the Nevada-California-Oregon Railroad.

Now, to the other topic at hand. In 1884, the Nevada & Oregon purchased its No 2 Baldwin locomotive new for $4,750. According to David Myrick’s NCO railroad locomotive roster the No. 2 was retired on December 31, 1918—presumably scrapped.

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History

Date Line September 1, 1948

September 1, 2021 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

The following came from a newspaper clipping file from the Oakland Public Library. “Lassen County Resources Are Tapped By War—McClatchy Newspaper Services, September 1, 1948.

”Susanville—A 10 year growth which embraces industrial and agricultural expansion and increase in population has culminated in the unification of Susanville into an incorporated city looking ahead to further progress.

”A decade ago the city was emerging from the depression. Lumber and sawmills which had not operated for periods ranging from two to several years started resuming operations and the last of the Works Projects Administration were begun.

”Spurred by war demands for lumber and minerals, Susanville became the center of countywide expansion during the war which reinvigorated this area.

”The population growth had a marked effect. Susanville experienced the housing shortage which other sections of the country also experienced. More than 100 residents undertook the building of their own homes in 1946.

”Community concerts were obtained for the residents and a city park created and constructed. A well equipped clinical hospital has been established. A public golf course was opened and a museum constructed.”

History

Susanville’s Bandstand

August 30, 2021 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Main Street, 1906 — Looking west on Main Street, at Lassen, 1906. You can see the bandstand in the background. By the way, the gentleman crossing the street is Dr. W.E. Dozier. Photograph courtesy of Betty Barry Deal

Before summer ends, what better way to commemorate it than once upon time American classic the outdoor bandstand. It is a little known fact that Susanville had its own bandstand, briefly. It was located at the top of Main Street, best known today as the triangle plot beneath the Elk’s Lodge. It was through the energetic efforts of the Mountain Echo Band. that was the reckoning force. In September 1902, the octagonal bandstand was constructed and even adorned with electrical lights. On September 14, 1902, the bandstand was dedicated by the Mountain Echo Band with their first concert. Two weeks later it was focal point of royal pageant during the county fair. A few years later the Mountain Echo Band disbanded and the bandstand fell into disrepair. By 1906, one observer said the relic had become eyesore on the community. In 1908, it was torn down.

History

Janesville Methodist Church Dedication

August 29, 2021 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Janesvlle Methodist Church, 1911. Courtesy of Marge Foster

On Sunday, August 29, 1897 was a joyous day with the dedication of the new Janesville Methodist Church. Dr. E.W. VanDeventer presided over the services, with a standing room crowd in attendance. The church measured 28’x40’ feet was built by Susanville contractors, Enhorning and Harrison for $1,500. Frank Rowland donated the land for the church. Trustees for the church were: G.W. Meylert, Wm. Dow, E. Winchester, George Riddle, W.T. Masten, J.T. Masten and Charles Cramer.

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History

Life Was Simple Then

August 28, 2021 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

The Round Barn, Little Valley, Lassen County, prior to it being moved to Fall River Mills. Courtesy of Tom Glunt

Shird Eldridge (1857-1937) was a long time resident of Little Valley, before moving over to McArthur. In 1924, Shird was reminiscing with the editor of the Fall River Tidings the newspaper that focused on the events of the Fall River Valley, Shasta County.

Shird remarked, “This year reminds of times nearly forty years ago—when such conditions prevailed—but the people were better off then than they are now. In those days the farmers raised all they needed, went about with horses and buggies—had just as good times as now, and all they cared to raise, besides crops, was their tax money. Some of them had hard scratching, mortgaged their ranches and being unable to pay off their mortgage, lost their places. But today—it takes so much money to buy gas and oil and to keep up payments on automobiles. Living costs are higher and the farmers are living a swifter pace, endeavoring to keep up with the extravagant ways of the people of this age.”

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History

Peeler Logs

August 27, 2021 Tim Purdy 1 Comment

Some times I find it strange to write about the lumber industry that is non-existent in area, with the exception of Collins Pine at Chester. The above photograph are real premium peeler logs. These logs were literally peeled into sheets of plywood. Unlike regular logs that went through the sawmill, these logs were cut into eight foot lengths, unlike the standard thirty-two foot log. In 1924, Red River Lumber Company invested a half-million dollars to add a veneer plant at its Westwood facility. Red River used the trademark Paul Bunyan’s Pine Plywood for its final product. Red River, like so many other lumber companies, did not allow anything to go to waste. The peeler cores were made into railroad ties.

History

Hayden Hill’s Cyanide Tanks

August 26, 2021 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Cyanide tanks at Hayden Hill, 1903–Lassen County Historical Society

Some of Hayden Hill’s history is fairly well documented, and others aspect hardly nothing. One of the Hill’s most important operations were the cyanide tanks, used to leach the gold from the crushed rock. It was such an integral part of the mines, yet references are almost non-existant, and then quite void of hardly information. It is interesting to note the cyanide tanks from the early mining days were still there in 1962.

During the 1990s, when Lassen Gold revived mining at Hayden Hill, cyanide was also used. Even though Lassen Gold shut down in 1997, the wells there are monitored for any cyanide leakage.

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History

CDF’s Willow Creek Station

August 25, 2021 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

The abandoned CDF Station, Willow Creek Valley, May 1978

In 1935, the Lassen County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution for the establishment of Civilian Conservation Corp camps (CCC) throughout the county, including one at the upper end of the Willow Creek Valley, between Susanville and Eagle Lake. The resolution stated would have “great value” to protect the timber. In addition, the men employed could aid the region with soil erosion and related issues. The resolution was sent to M.B. Pratt, forester for the California State Division of Forestry. Pratt informed the board it could not assist with CCC camps at that time, due to Congress failure to pass a funding bill.

The Lassen County Board of Supervisors were persistent in their efforts to have fire camps established. In July 1937, State Ranger J.W. Nevius announced the established of four fire camps for Lassen County. One was for Willow Creek Valley and it was agreed the county would donate 2.5 acres to the State Division of Forestry that included the former home of C.E. Hurlbut. The initial Willow Creek workforce consisted of Charles Windamier, foreman, Harry Fox, cook, and crew members John Patten, Max Reedy, George Ross and Arthur Dixon. John Webb who worked there in 1945 recalled, “My first assignment was at the Willow Creek CDF camp. I recall there was one permanent building used as a office and mess hall. Sleeping quarters were in tents erected on wooden platforms.”

In 1948, a fire station was established further north near Grasshopper Valley and the Willow Creek camp was subsequently closed. In 1974, the state donated this parcel to Lassen Community College.

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News

Tuesday Tidbit – Dixie Fire Update

August 24, 2021 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

For those readers out of the area, many of the evacuation warnings including portions of Susanville and to the south of town have been lifted as of Sunday afternoon. Westwood and Clear Creek have been reduced from mandatory to warning and now are able to return to their homes. Janesville and Milford, along with Genesee and Taylorsville are still the major hot spots. With cooler temperatures and lighter winds will help with the containment.

Tim

History

A Honey Lake Story

August 23, 2021 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

While researching Granite Creek Station, I came across some correspondence with Jesse Horn. He was a grandnephew of Andrew Litch, one of the proprietors of the Station. Horn was born at Milford on May 25, 1912. On February 25, 1980 Jesse Horn, wrote: “An old Piute Indian from Nevada told me a story you might be interested in. At the time I was quite a small boy and as our custom was with the Indians, a sort of variation of a peace pipe. We cut a watermelon and ate it with him. This served two purposes for us; they didn’t steal our watermelons and they gave us their business.

This is what he said as he pointed across the lake to the Skedaddle Mountains. “See high water marks on mountain? Old Chiefs say many, many moons ago, no one can count. Great spirit get mad. Honey Lake that time, she big like many waters cover all valley, make Tahoe look like a pond. There was great big earthquake, thunder, lightning. Whole world shake mountains fall apart. Honey Lake break loose and make Pyramid Lake. All big fish go there.’”