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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History

Why They Came – The Smith Anomaly

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John Perry Mitchell Smith. Courtesy of Verna Tanner Haley

In 1869, for some strange unknown reason, a stray Cornishman, Robert Miles Smith settled on 160 acres which is now a part of the Fleming Wildlife Unit, in the Honey Lake Valley.  In many cases, usually immigrants locate where fellow countrymen have settled. This, of course, was especially true of the Swiss Italians of Honey Lake and Sierra Valleys.  In Smith’s case, the only other person from Cornwall, was Mary Bass of Elysian Valley. In 1870, his aged mother, Mary, brother John P.M. Smith and sister Jane joined him.


Robert died unexpectedly in 1873, and his brother took over the property. In the meantime, Jane married Honey Laker, William Martin Tanner, my great grandparents. In 1891, John P.M. Smith sold his 160 acres to L.W. Brubeck for $2,500 and returned to Polgooth, Cornwall, England with his mother.

So, sometimes people settled wherever with no particular reason.

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History

Why They Came Here—Kelley

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The Tule District, Honey Lake Valley was best known for many years it hay production. Titherington Ranch, 1906—Betty Gorbet

What is common throughout the American West is how one person locates. That person then writes to family and friends to come to the new territory and the land of opportunity. Some times there is a unique twist, which John Kelley is a perfect example.

In 1859, Kelley of Missouri settled at the lower end of the Susan River. There he found an abundant water supply along with natural meadow lands. All was fine until 1863 when the United States Government surveyed the region. Under federal law, the most a person could file was 160 acres. Kelley had already claimed nearly 1,000 acres. Kelley concerned that he could lose his holdings wrote back home and encouraged fellow southerners to come out to join and settle on property he had claimed. With the ravages of the Civil War it did not require Kelley to convince family and friends to join him out west. Those who initially did were William Brashear, Robert Briggs, Chappell Kelley and John Saling.  In 1864, when Lassen County Surveyor E.R. Nichols who was doing work in the region, noted a number of residents had served in the Confederate Army , he dubbed the district the Tule Confederacy. Over time the area became known as the Tules and these days its just part of the Standish-Litchfield region.

An 1910 map of the Tule District highlighted in red..

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History

Locally Sourced

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Bronson & Doyle Ad, Lassen Mail, 5 April 1935

Bronson & Doyle was a local feed and agricultural equipment operation. Some seasoned residents may remember their landmark building on Richmond Road across from the railroad depot.

In this day and age of farm to table movement, makes this 1935 advertisement of Bronson & Doyle seem way ahead of their time.

Lassen Grain & Milling
Lassen Grain & Milling Company, circa 1918. Courtesy of Dick & Helen Harrison

Bronson & Doyle acquired the Lassen Grain & Milling Company located on Richmond Road back in the 1930s.

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History

I Did Not Know . . .

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Papoose Meadows, October 13, 2017

Some of things I learn along the way doing these posts amazes me. In 1929, C.R. Robinson of the Lassen National Forest released his report on a rodent survey. Robinson stated most of the damage is being done by the Oregon ground squirrel. Robinson found that the damage to the forage crop in the mountain meadows often amounted to fifty percent. It was that figure that grabbed my attention. I thought given the era, there might have been some bias, but not so.

In a 1993 report by the Oregon State University Extension Service reported “that the ground squirrels are a major wildlife pest in central and eastern Oregon. They consume a substantial amount of forage and field crops.” In one instance they cited, “in northern California another study reported that, during the growing season, 123 Belding’s ground squirrels per acre consumed 1,790 pounds of alfalfa per acre.”

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History

Sunrise Solstice Tour

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Sunrise Chamber, 2015

Were you aware that the Belfast petroglyph site also serves as ancient observatory?  This event only occurs on the morning of the summer solstice when the sun enters a chamber highlighting a variety of glyphs, among other things. It is quite the sight to see.

sunrise chamber
The sunrise chamber.

This is an early morning excursion and I mean early as we gather at 5 a.m. to make the trek. In preparation attendees receive in advance John Rudolph’s paper, “An Ancient Solar Observatory.” If there is enough interest we can make the trip this year. Last year only one person indicated an interest, but did not commit, so I cancelled. So it is important that you express an interest to me in advance.

The solstice occurs on Sunday, June 21. On Saturday, June 20, I will send an email with all the details, or on the other hand whether its cancelled. After all, if it is overcast there is no sense in going.

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Exploring Lassen County's Past