History

The Toonerville Trolley

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1926 American Legion Convention delegates arriving at the Susanville Depot. Courtesy of Nellygrace Stoll.

Susanville’s Lassen Mail newspaper dubbed the Southern Pacific’s passenger train the “Toonerville Trolley.” The Mail was quick to report that the train “crawls in and out of Susanville.” One of the problem’s that plagued the railroad, especially on the Nevada segment was the train encountered stray livestock, thus causing a delay in its regular schedule. In 1933, that would not be a problem when the Southern Pacific abandoned passenger train service on its Fernley & Lassen Railroad, a move that upset a lot of people, and, of course, the Lassen Mail.

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History

Mattie Jackson Ives

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Mattie Jackson Ives

We do not know much about Mattie Jackson Ives. A Maidu, she was born circa 1878 in Susanville, the daughter of Sam Jackson and Chief Daughter. In 1900 she married Pete Ives and spent the majority of her life on the family ranch in Willow Creek Valley.  She died there on September 2, 1932 and is buried at the Indian Cemetery near the family home. What is remarkable and very rare is that she went to a professional photographer in the early 1890s  to have her picture taken.

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History

Bizz Johnson Trail

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Susan River Canyon, 1920. Courtesy of Lola L. Tanner

Often just referred to as the “Bizz,” is a thirty-mile recreational trail that was converted from the abandoned Fernley & Lassen Railroad between Susanville and Westwood. There were a number of hurdles along the way, one which was to secure federal funding.  Name it after a well known congressman, would do the trick. In1983, Congress designated it as the Bizz Johnson Trail in recognition of Northern California Congressman Harold T. “Bizz” Johnson who served in the House of Representatives from 1958 to 1980. This an excellent time to enjoy the trail and the fall colors.

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History

Typewriter Sale!

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Lassen Advocate advertisement, September 29, 1976

I could not pass up this 1976 advertisement from the Lassen Advocate. A year ago a colleague stopped by and visited the archive room. He snickered that I still use  a typewriter in this day and age of computers. However, it should also be noted that I do a bulk of my writing in long hand. After all, when the power goes off, I can still keep working. Finally, when I transcribe my handwritten material, it gives me an opportunity to do my first edit.

It should be duty noted that Carl and Catherine Cobel established Cobel’s Stationers in 1949. In 1976 they sold to Don Ashley and Jack Helsel, and things went south after that. The location today is that of Susanville Real Estate.

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History

Little Valley School

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Little Valley School, 1916.

In 1900, there were over seventy rural schools and post offices scattered throughout Lassen County. Little Valley, located south of Big Valley, was of no exception. Its school district was established in 1885, and in 1926, due to a decline in population the school was abolished. In 1929, Mary Gassaway purchased the abandoned schoolhouse from Lassen County for $75. What is rather peculiar the Little Valley Post Office was not established until 1948.

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History

Shaffer Mountain, Lassen County

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Looking up towards the top on the east flank of the mountain. June 13, 2018

On September 8, 1862,  the Shaffer Brothers—James and Uriah- purchased George W. Lathrop’s 1,280-acre ranch and station, that he established in 1859, for $4,250.  The station did a brisk business as a major stop on the Nobles Trail/Humboldt Road. However, trade dropped off dramatically with the construction of the transcontinental railroad to the south.  In 1868, in conjunction with a depressed economy, the Shaffer Brothers were forced to file bankruptcy. The property was auctioned and purchased by their brother-in-law, Daniel Samis, for $5,347.  A month later, on May 19, 1868, Samis sold the property to Thomas J. French and Andrew Litch for $2,500, a substantial loss for Samis. Even though there stay in Lassen County was brief, the mountain that they resided near its base is named for them.

It should be noted that the location of the ranch and station is that of Mapes Ranch, east of Litchfield. In addition, the California Division of Forestry had a lookout on top of the mountain from 1931 to 1949.

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History

The Big Tree – A Follow Up

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The record load of 26,860 board feet being unloaded at the Fruit Growers millpond, Susanville, August 21, 1953. Courtesy of Hank Martinez

Yesterday, it was noted that the massive sugar pine tree felled by the Red River Lumber Company contained 27,570 board feet. To gain a better understanding, the above photograph is a massive truck load of logs being unloaded at Fruit Grower’s Susanville millpond that contained 26,860 board feet!

A question was raised about timber fallers. A good timber faller can determine precisely where the tree will fall. Well, a not so good faller, is another tale. I recall in one instance working in the woods with my Dad. My father gave the faller instruction as to where a particular tree was to land. Needless to say, it did not happen and some one was not happy with the final result.

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History

That is a big tree!

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This mammoth tree was cut in 1922 on Fruit Growers property west of Eagle Lake.

In November 1928 the Red River Lumber Company reported that they had felled a 650 year-old sugar pine tree at Camp 74, in Plumas County, west of Chester. It required three railroad flat cars to bring the tree to the mill in Westwood. It was 101 inches in diameter at the stump and 84 inches at the second cut.* The tree contained 27,570 board feet. Red River noted that this was the largest tree ever brought into the mill.

*For those not familiar trees are bucked/cut into 32 foot lengths.

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News

Lassen Monument Rehabilitation

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The new entrance, September 20, 2018.

It has been 100 years since the second monument was placed, and lately a lot has been going on there giving the place a new look. The goal is to have everything complete some time in October. It is a collaborative effort and when the project is complete, I will provide details about those involved in the project. In the meantime, we will examine the lives of Marion “Commanche George” Lawrence and Joseph Lynch. While one has a grave marker, the other does not. Stay tuned.

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Exploring Lassen County's Past