In the late 1970s, Elberta “Bertie” Fraley’s had at a lot of historical projects going on, whether it be Native Daughters or the Lassen County Cowbelles. For the latter it was gathering ranch histories.

The Susan River Ranch was  located on Johnstonville Road a few miles east of Susanville. It was originally a part of the Bangham Ranch. In 1948 the property was acquired by Dale Soule. Construction of the house began in 1950 and over the course of time additional buildings were constructed. However, in time the property was too much for the Soules who had other business interests in Susanville to tend to. The next owner was Lawrence Holland and he owned it until his death in 1969.

In 1973, Ray and Elberta Fraley purchased the ranch, who had spent many years in the Standish district. It was ideal for Ray as it just the ideal size for a semi-retired rancher to raise his registered herd of Red Angus cattle. After Ray’s passing in 1979, Elberta sold the place. Its been through a number of owners over the years, though its no longer referred to as the Susan River Ranch.

Tim

For some, its marks the half way point of the year, more about that on Thursday. For others involved in local and state government It is the end of the fiscal year.

Personally,  there were two significant birthdays on that date-Ada Margaret Purdy (my grandmother) and Henry “Hank” Martinez, I first met Hank in the mid-1970s and for decades we celebrated all sorts of milestones Of course, there were many lively discussions, and the forever topic Westwood.

It was on this date in 1927 the Constantia Post Office closed.

Tim.

On April 9, 1939, Father Patrick J. Moran during his Easter Sunday service announced his intention that Sacred Heart Parish needed a new church. It was rather dramatic, since Moran had only been appointed to take care of the spiritual needs of Sacred Heart four months prior.

The  wooden church was built in 1892, and it was originally located on Richmond Road, adjacent to the bridge over Susan River. In 1909, the church was moved to the corner of Union and Nevada Streets.  However, the years had taken a toll on the wooden frame structure, and many parishioners complained that it was cold and drafty in the winter months, since the only heating was an ornate wood stove.

Moran, in his address, concluded that a new church would be built on the site of the current one. The following year, Moran received Bishop Robert Armstrong’s blessing. Shortly afterwards Sacramento architect Clarence C. Huff was awarded the contract to design the new church. However, progress was stalled due to the effects of World War II. Even that obstacle did not deter Father Moran who worked diligently behind the scenes with the ultimate goal of a new church.

Tim

Note: This was another photograph among “running loose.” Actually, I  posted some years back. but original photograph some fifty yearslatert, still holds its own.

In the 1970s, I I was assisting South Lake Tahoe photographer, Tom Armstrong on his research of the NCO Railroad, and he told me about the “Other Susanville.” There is another Susanville, just up Highway 395 near John Day, Oregon.  However, it has seen more livelier times.

It was a mining camp dating back to the mid-1860s, though its post office was established in 1901 in a dubious manner. Its biggest claim to fame was in 1913 and the discovery of the Armstrong nugget, that weighed 80.4 ounces and was believed to the largest of its kind found in Oregon. The nugget is on display at US Bank in Baker City, Oregon. After the 1930s, prosperity there dwindled and in 1952 the post office was closed. Today, its only inhabitants are prospectors during the summer, and a few curious seekers.

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It was hundred years ago that in June 1926, my grandfather, Ira Purdy, briefly took in the Reno Rodeo. At that time, he was residing in Sacramento, but his mission was a visit to Susanville to seek employmemt. With the lumber mills in full swing at Susanville, there were a lot of opportunities. A mechanic by trade he found a job at Doyle & Hunsinger Ford, thereater became Doyle Motors. He sent this sent this post card to his wife, Margaret, and son, James, who was only a year old. He described the Reno Rodeo as a wild bunch of folks. In July, the Purdy family moved to Susanville, their second child, Leroy was born in 1927.

Thus,a new chapter for the Purdy family. In 1939, Ira struck out on his own, and opened the Purdy’s Garage at Main and Spring Streets. He passed away in Susanville in 1964.

Tim

P.S. I happen to be my grandfather’s namesake, my  middle name is Ira.

Edward Thomas Purser was an interesting figure in the region’s history. Purser arrived in Lassen County in 1890, from his native Ireland where he had worked as a brewer for Guinness. Purser formed the Lassen Development Company, hoping to reclaim the sagebrush lands north and west of Wendel. Purser needed a water supply for his project. At the same time, numerous irrigation projects had been undertaken to bring water to these lands. The newly formed Eagle Lake Land & Irrigation Company had acquired rights to the Susan River watershed and to the waters of Eagle Lake. The Company needed financial capital to obtain their goals and Purser had the money and he needed the water. An agreement reached by the two and Purser loaned the Eagle Lake Land & Irrigation Company $36,000. In 1893, the Eagle Lake Land & Irrigation Company defaulted on Purser’s loan and Purser was awarded the Company’s Susan River Irrigation system and the water rights to Eagle Lake. Purser found a suitor for the irrigation system, namely the Associated Colonies of New York who had plans for a colony in the Honey Lake Valley that later became Standish. Purser still needed water for his Wendel property and he resurrected the Ward Lake project of the Balls Canyon Reservoir Company. By 1900, Purser had completely divested all his interest in the region and took up permanent residency in Sonoma County, California.

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