Well, it is that time of year again, when a few years back I made my debut at Susanville’s now defunct Riverside Hospital. As is customary, this one day I take the day off from regular duties. To make up for my being a slacker, it should duly noted that I have completed all the daily posts for the remainder of the year.
Finally, thanks too all for the words of encouragement for a speedy recovery, moral support makes all the difference in the world. During pre-op three weeks ago for the surgery, it was announced my blood type was “B positive.” With that in mind, I adopted a “be positive” attitude during this latest challenge in life.
If you have just tuned in and are not familiar with the former railroad logging camp known as Camp Harvey, go to the front page of the website. There in the upper right hand corner is the search feature and just enter Camp Harvey and you will become well informed on the topic.
Camp Harvey site, July 11, 2019
Mother Nature has a way of reclaiming her territory and this is a perfect example, though there is still plenty of debris on the ground.
I happen to have a special fondness for Camp Harvey. My father, Leroy Purdy worked there and in essence launched his logging career. I spent many a summer working out in the woods logging which I enjoyed. However, dear old Dad made it clear that neither of his two sons would follow in his footsteps.
George Wrede’s old homestead at Bull Flat, June 1977
Initially, how the local wild horse population came to be was in the late 1800s, the settlers allowed their livestock, both cattle and horses, to roam freely during the winter months. Annual spring round ups, that became the origin of today’s rodeos were to capture and brand the animals. There were always some stray horses escaped from being caught, thus began the local wild horse population.
Back then, however, the population was kept to a minimal. This was due in part, like Standish resident, George Wrede and his fellow counterparts, who whether you want to call them a ranch hand, cowboy, buckaroo, or whatever, would find themselves out of work during the winter months. Wrede, a bachelor, like others, would file a desert homestead and make that his home for the winter. During the time spent there, he would capture wild horses, break and eventually sell them. The Marr Brothers of the Madeline Plains turned that into a fine art. In the 1930s, wild horses would be rounded up to be used in rodeos, which made for wild times. By 1940, the demand for horses dramatically decreased, thus allowing for the wild horse population to grow.
In 1978, the Sierra Club published The Wild Horse Gatherers. It is an illustrated story of BLM’s wild horse round-up locally.
The Charles Hartson ranch house, circa 1915. Courtesy of Dorothy Stone
While we have explored some of the historic homes in Susanville, we should not neglect those of similar stature that graced the Honey Lake Valley. Some still standing, while others for numerous reasons did not stand the test of time.
For example was the ranch house of Charles Hartson built in 1884. Then, it was located in the Tule District of the Honey Lake Valley, but a more apt location today it was located adjacent to the Dakin Unit of the Honey Lake Wildlife Refuge. It should be duly noted that Hartson’s daughter, Elsie who was married to Pete Dakin, was an adjoining ranch that comprises the Dakin Unit. His sons, George and William Hartson also had adjoining ranches to the home place. Eldest son, Frank Hartson took over the original homestead when his parents retired to Susanville.
In 1926, Frank Wood acquired the original Hartson Ranch and resided there for awhile. On the morning of May 4, 1935 the house caught fire and was completely destroyed, along with one outhouse. The origin of the fire was never determined and the loss estimated at $4,000.
Guess what, I can inform you that I offer a wide variety of local history books, in keeping with the above theme, I told you so. This is a good time as any to remind you dear reader that there are many features on this site besides the daily postings. There is a special listing for local history books that you may want to check out either for yourself or surprise a friend with some local history as a holiday gift. To make it simple clickBooks
Okay, so it is kind out of whack to write about opening a railroad logging camp, while the calendar indicates we are heading into winter. However, the material is fresh at hand, and spring is not.
For those not aware, Camp 10, was a railroad logging camp of the Fruit Growers Supply Company, located west of Eagle Lake in Pine Creek Valley. One of the items that make Camp 10 unique was its longevity—most logging camps existed less than five years, and the logging company moved to a new a location. Camp 10 was established in 1928 and did not close down until 1952.
George Moore digging out a speeder at Camp 10, January 10, 1952.
On May 6, 1938, Lassen National Forest Ranger P.D. Hook boarded Fruit Growers logging train to plow the road open to Camp 10. Not only was there plenty of snow to be encountered in early May, but as expected downed trees across the railroad tracks. Hook noted in the Feather Lake area, north and east of McCoy Flat Reservoir there was still four feet on the ground. Also impressive was that Pine Creek Valley was still covered with a foot of snow.
In the 1890s, the Lassen County Recorder began using a typewriter, which was basically used for transcribing and recording deeds. Many other documents whether is be a death certificate were handwritten.
In 1912, witnessed the installation of telephones at the courthouse. However, not all offices had telephones installed. While the District Attorney’s did receive a telephone, their office was located in the nearby Emerson Hotel. Those offices that did have telephones were charged a monthly fee of $2.50. For reasons unknown, the telephone for the Superior Court Judge was $2.75.
The contracts had specific clauses such as foul, abusive and profane language was prohibited. In addition, telephone calls were limited to five minutes.
Yesterday, it was mentioned that the local American Legion dedicated a flag pole on Inspiration Point on November 11, 1935. This was not the only improvements being made there, for Susanville’s first park. During the early 1930s, the Monticola Club adopted a beautification project for the entire bluff. One year they scattered hollyhock and poppy seeds. They also bought trees for the reforestation of the bluff. In its first year, the forestry students of Lassen College adopted Inspiration Point as a project. It was their intent to provide picnic tables, benches and fireplaces. They even discussed the possibility of a amphitheater there. While there intentions were good, they never completed the project. However, three years later the college students developed Willard Ski Hill.
Just as Memorial Day was once referred to as Decoration Day Veterans Day was once known as Armistice Day. In Susanville, in 1935 this particular day, was a two-day event.
The night before was billed a “Night in Paris” held at the Memorial Building. A variety of entertainment was on hand for the attendees, so as to what one promotional of the event announced for the veteran’s to make “whoopee.” The basement of the building was transformed into a Monte Carlo casino.
At ten o’clock the next morning a parade of the veterans marched from the Memorial Building to the head of Main Street (Elks Lodge). Located there was a bronze plaque with the name of Lassen County soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. This was followed by a flag raising ceremony at Inspiration Point. The Thomas Tucker Post of the American Legion had installed a flag pole there, and this was a formal dedication as a gift to Susanville. The day concluded with a dinner banquet at the Memorial Building.
The month of November means many things to many people. For hunters it is beginning of pheasant season in Lassen County. It was not until the 1930s when there was a major push by the California Department of Fish & Game to introduce pheasants into the Honey Lake Valley. Conditions for the birds were exceptional as a considerable amount of grain was being grown. In 1934, the agency with the aid of the Lassen County Fish and Game Conservation League released 572 birds. It was repeated again in 1935 and 1936. During the late 1930s, Fish & Game paid ranchers to raise the birds. That practice ended in 1941 when Fish & Game purchased the Fleming Ranch and turned it into a wildlife refuge.
It should be noted, however, in 1929, the Westwood Rod & Gun Club had 800 pheasants planted on various ranches in the Honey Lake Valley.
