Awhile back when rummaging around for calendar photographs I came across this vintage circa 1960 Lake Almanor postcard. It was a mass produced by the Union Oil Company in a series “Natural Color Scenes of the West..”  On reverse of the card at bottom, was an advertisement ” Tour the West with Union 76 Gasoline.” Since it was not a common one  available locally, I thought that some might be interested.

Tim

On August 7, 1934 during a special session of the Susanville City Council they condemned the Liberty Theater, after state inspectors stated it was unsafe. Two day’s later the theater would close, and it was only fitting the film shown that day was “The Party’s Over.” It should be noted that the Liberty was built in 1921 and in 1924 it was purchased by T & D Enterprises.

In late September, demolition began on the Liberty Theater and it was announced a new theater would be built on the site of the old one, to be named Sierra Theater. Construction on the concrete re-inforced theater began in October, and the owners noted it was earthquake proof, the first of its kind in Susanville. On Friday, March 8, 1935 a grand opening was held for $75,000 theater. The first showing was appropriately a film named, “The Whole Town’s Talking.”

Fast forward to August 2024, when Sierra Theater closed its door for financial reasons. The Susanville Symphony had its eye on the building for a performing arts center. Negotiations for funding to purchase the property began between the Symphony and the City of Susanville, but they fell apart. Then in late July 2025, the Susanville Performing Arts Center was organized as a non-profit to undertake the task of the acquisition. In the meantime, the theater has been reopened for the summer.

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In the winter of 1850-51 it was reported that Cider Cone, located ten miles east of Lassen Peak had erupted.

Enter,  San Francisco physician Harvey W. Harkness, who had a keen interest in scientific matters. In the summer of 1874, he visited Plumas County. While there he heard the story of a recent volcanic eruption located in far northern portion of the county known as Cinder Cone. Since he was already in the territory, he decided to examine Cinder Cone. In the fall, Harkness addressed the California Academy of Sciences and told of his observations. He informed the Academy that the eruption was indeed of recent origin. After his presentation, he came on contact with with four men who had seen the eruption from afar. One of these men was Oliver Wozencraft, who lived near Red Bluff during the winter of 1850-51. He informed Harkness that he saw a great fire east of Lassen that continued for many nights but never changed its position.

After Harkness’ findings were published, it served as a reminder to many  that a volcanic eruption could be impending. It was not for decades that Harkness’ theory was challenged. The whole issue was resolved in the 1990s by the United States Geological Survey, which determined that Cinder Cone’s last eruption occurred sometime around 1666 and not 1850.

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There was no question that when Mt. Lassen aka Lassen Peak started its volcanic eruptions in 1914, it provided  bountiful promotion for the region, that was relatively unknown to the outside world. As news reporters swarmed the area, they also wrote the region, a bonanza of free publicity.

The Bank of Lassen County was aware of this phenomenon and is reflected in a 1924 advertisement copy of the bank that stated:

Thanks To Mt. Lassen – When Mt. Lassen smokes, word is flashed to the newspapers over the world, which means that the thoughts of everyone everywhere is, for the moment, turned this part of California.

Thus Mt. Lassen gives us some very good publicity, free, and helps in making this entire section better.

However, many of the every-day happenings in this Lucky Land of Lassen, may well interest the world-developments in the field of industry; our farm prospects, the possibilities of the irrigated districts; beet growers; dairying; and many other opportunities, not to mention our great lumber industry.

Tim