History

Coulthurst Hill

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The Belfast District, with Coulthurst Hill in the foreground.. Courtesy of Bernard McCallister

Yesterday’s topic concerning Shaffer Mountain, spills over today concerning a natural feature on its western flank.

Every region has its cast of colorful, eccentric or bizarre characters. Isaac Coulthurst would make an interesting case study. He arrived in the Honey Lake Valley in the spring of 1857 and settled in what would later become the Belfast District. Among his firsts, was on September 23, 1857 he married Mary Jane Duvall, the first Anglo wedding in the Honey Lake Valley.

In 1873 Coulthurst stated that the Lord commanded him to go to the top of this hill.  Coulthurst held communion with the Lord in a cave there.  He spent a portion of the winter in that cave. Coulthurst stated it was warmed by supernatural heat, but the cave became unbearably hot in the summer.  It was then that he discarded his name of Coulthurst and changed his name to the “Second Coming of Christ.”  His wife, Mary, had him declared insane.  Twice he was placed in mental institutions, each time he spent only a few months.  In 1881, a third examination was held on his competency.  The courts two examining physicians stated he was fine in all aspects, especially keen in business dealings.  They admitted to his religious peculiarity but did not think he would derive any benefit from being institutionalized. After that court hearing, the court proceeded with the divorce proceedings that had been filed by his wife and the court approved it.  Coulthurst agreed to the divorce and to pay alimony, but would not divide the property with her.  Coulthurst’s refusal to divide the ranch property was based on his belief that it would be the site of a new Jerusalem.  Coulthurst contended that a large city would be built there, the streets paved with gold.  In 1893, Coulthurst transferred the ranch to his son, Henry, with the provision that his son clothe, feed, maintain, and support him during his natural life. Coulthurst signed the deed “Christ the Lord.”

Some attribute Coulthurst’s odd behavior from his discovery and recovery of the drowned body of the frenchman Harry Gordier in 1858. In 2020, there are people who are still intrigued of the story of Gordier and his gold. That aside, Coulthurst died in 1919, at the age of 95 and was the first person buried in the Lassen Cemetery. Even with all their marital strife, his wife, Mary was buried next to him.

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History

Shaffer Mountain, Lassen County

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Shaffer Mountain, January 26, 2020

A year ago, I wrote about Shaffer Mountain, but I really did not do it justice. For those who may not be quite familiar with it the mountain separates Honey Lake and Secret Valleys, and on its southern base is the community of Litchfield.

The mountain was so named after the Shaffer Brothers—Uriah and James. Their first business venture in the region was a warehouse at the then booming mining town of Richmond. On September 8, 1862, the Shaffer Brothers purchased the 1280-ranch of George Lathrop for $4,250. (This property known today as Mapes Ranch a few miles east of Litchfield). The place was located along the Nobles Emigrant Trail and Lathrop had a station there to cater to the travelers. In time, it became known as Shaffers Station. Trade there for a time was brisk, but that quickly changed with the transcontinental railroad to the south, and travel on the Nobles Road was greatly diminished. Making matters worse, the area was in a depressed economy. The property was auctioned off in two different transactions Thomas French and Andrew Litch became the new owners. The Shaffer Brothers moved on and it is not known whatever became of them.

The mountain at an elevation of 6375’ does provide a stunning view of the region. The California Division of Forestry took note of this fact and established a fire lookout there in 1931. The lookout remained in operation until 1949, when it was replaced with Landon Lookout near Eagle Lake.

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History

Susanville Becomes a City

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Main Street, Susanville, 1945.

When the municipality was created in 1900, it’s status was that of a incorporated town. In 1911, the California Legislature added a provision whereby the word “Town” in any municipal corporation could be changed to “City.” The process was a simple one. A petition signed by twenty-five percent of the registered voters was required. Once presented to the Town Council, that body could introduce an ordinance and after thirty days it would take effect. A petition was provided to the council and at their May 6, 1940 meeting they passed the ordinance to rename the municipal corporation to the “City of Susanville.” In June, it was official—Susanville was a bona fide “City.”

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History

Would You?

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A view of Buntingville, November, 1980.

What would you do if if you found a can containing gold coins in a field? That was dilemma for Charles E. Spoon in January 1906 when he found a can containing $280 in gold coins. Spoon was renting the H.J. Martin place near Buntingville where he made the find. It was speculated that some one had buried it a long time ago, and that the previous occupant, G.W. Reynolds* unearthed it when digging a post hole, but never examined it. It remained undisturbed until it was found by Spoon. In attempt to find the owner, Spoon placed a legal notice in the Lassen Advocate, though no one ever came forward.

*Reynolds was a cousin to Claude Heard, the founder of Heards Market.

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History

Standish Cemetery

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The grave of Mary Pringle, Standish Cemetery

Standish was a well designed utopian community. Yet, it shared a trait with many other communities that having a cemetery was an after thought. Those who initially passed away there were interred in the Janesville or Susanville Cemeteries. This changed in 1901 with the passing of Mary Pringle. Her husband, James and her were one of the first people to take up residence at Standish. She was buried in a field approximately 300 yards west of the Standish Bible Church on property at that time owned by Jim Elledge. Over the course of years only a handful people were buried there. As Jessie McKay Lowe who lived in Standish during the early 1900s noted the cemetery was abandoned because it would become completely under water at irrigation time. In 1909, the graves of Minnie Winslow and Bruce Ganyon were disinterred and moved to the Janesville Cemetery. The last burial to occur there was in 1918 for Mary Ann Penman.

A volunteer opportunity. If someone with a drone could take a picture of the site, it would be greatly appreciated.

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News

Lassen County Courthouse Update

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Lassen County Courthouse, October 1924–Boyd Benham/Connie Boomer

In 2018, Lassen County received a $8.4 million in grant funding from the State of California for a rehabilitation of the courthouse built in 1917. Earlier this year, all the offices inside the building had been relocated. The project has now entered Phase II that involves seismic and infrastructure improvements, the work being done by Lionakis, a engineering firm. This will include the design plan for an elevator to the second floor. The elevator’s installation will be in Phase 3 of the project. All things considered with Covid-19, the project is still on time.

Note: Yes, I am well aware that the photographer mislabeled the photograph.

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History

Where Are We—Long Lake

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Long Lake, June 4, 2020

Long Lake is just to the west of Highway 44, northwest of McCoy Flat Reservoir. The lake is a natural sink, it has no inlet or outlet. Early maps and surveys referred to it as Anna Lake. In time it became known as Long, probably for George Best Long (1868-1925), well known Susanville stagecoach operator, who owned property adjacent to the lake.

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History

Susanville Bans Fireworks

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San Francisco, 1906—Margaret A. Purdy

In Susanville’s early years as an incorporated city, it was remarkable what the council did. One of their actions, I still support today, and that is the prohibition of fireworks. The first time they banned fireworks was in 1906, following the aftermath of the San Francisco earthquake and fire. It was also a nod to the insurance companies who suffered tremendous loss from that event. It was their belief, as well as many other communities, that this preventive measure would reduce the risk of fires.

In 1912, the City once again banned fireworks. The Lassen Advocate applauded the city and wrote: 21 June 1912 – “No Fireworks on the Fourth. We desire to congratulate our Board of Town Trustees on their action in placing the ban on all kinds of fireworks on July 2, 3, and 4. This action has been taken by large and progressive cities for years past, and we are greatly pleased to note that the smaller places are falling into line. Fireworks do no good and may do a world of harm. Fires may be started that will blot out blocks of cities or towns; little boys and girls all over the United States have lost fingers, hands eyes and in many instances, their lives from the dangerous pinwheel and firecrackers. Let them yell all they will, let them spend their money for ice cream, candy—anything on earth but the fireworks.”

In 1916, the Monticola Club appeared before the Susanville City Council asking for a ban of fireworks for the 4th of July. Their answer was no. The council assured that the utmost care would be done, but they were not going to deprive children of the festivities.

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History, News

Where Are We?

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June 4, 2020

It is nice to be able to get out and about again, not just from the shelter-in-place guidelines, but also with the broken leg recovery. I am a still bit wobbly on uneven ground, but progress is made, slow but sure.

This lake has been severely impacted by this dry winter. Last year, the lake was full and even prompted California Department of Fish & Game to stock it with fish. However, with the current conditions, the lake will be long gone shortly.

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Exploring Lassen County's Past