A follow up on yesterday’s topic of exploring if you have not visited Juniper Lake in Lassen Volcanic National Park, you might want to add it your list. The road is a bit rough, but worth the drive. The lake covers 592 acres and is the largest lake in the park. In the 1870s, it was originally designated Lake Louise, but along the way it became known as Juniper. As remote as it is, it does have an interesting history, especially with the antics of C.P. Snell and his varied attempts to develop a resort. Snell had purchased 475 acres there, and it was not until the 1950s when the park acquired the property.
When traveling the back country around these parts. Google maps and GPS not the best move. Use some common sense. Though it should be noted that AAA maps indicated Shinn Ranch Road was maintained. May be it was back in the 1870s when the Shinns lived there.
There are a handful posts that I repeat each year, and for good reason. With summer weather upon us, it is an ideal time to check out the many wonders that surround the residents of the Lassen Region. I hope this editorial from the Lassen Advocate of June 21, 1929 will inspire you to explore the wonderful country around us.
Know Your Country
If you were wondering what to do with your weekends this summer, have you ever given any thought to the fact that you don’t know your own county and the wonderful lake and mountain country immediately contiguous.
Within a few hours of Susanville there are numerous beautiful lakes as well as some beautiful streams and excellent camping spots.
How many have been to Drakesbad and to the top of Mount Lassen? How many have been to the ice caves near Eagle Lake and Wilson Lake?
There are many trips that can be taken from Susanville in the morning returning the same evening and traversing in the meantime a lot of new country that you have never seen before. Beauty spots near a mountain stream with clear sparkingly water are numerous where one may have their picnic lunch.
Try and see your own neck of the woods this summer. You will find many a pleasant day in store for you.
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Native American mythology of the western Great Basin has that a serpent lurks in the waters of the various lakes, whether it be Eagle, Pyramid or Tahoe. Some versions assert the lakes are connected by underground channel, and this is why sightings of the serpent are rare as the serpent is constantly traveling from lake to lake.
According to the Lassen Advocate of August 13, 1976: “Suspicions of a possible Loch Ness monster in Eagle Lake were aroused Tuesday, Aug. 10, at about dusk when a group of people apparently saw a mysterious creature twice surface near the Eagle Lake marina.According to Gene Moore of Hemet, California who was fishing from shore, it looked like a 15 to 20 foot creature that almost looked like a big eel.
Drakesbad, circa 1930. Courtesy of the Sifford Collection
As usual a most interesting lineup of stories for the month. Tomorrow, we start with the 1976 account of the spotting of Eagle Lake’s own Loch Ness monster and end the month with the interesting transformation of the Zarbock homestead in eastern Honey Lake Valley. In between there is the tale of Lake Earl versus Lake Almanor to Finn Barry’s Colony Ranch. Of course, there is the annual Summer Solstice Tour.
The grave of Daniel Cramer, who was wounded in the battle of Gettysburg.How Memorial Day is celebrated locally has changed over the years. In the early 1900s, a service was held at the Methodist Church. Then a procession led by school children, followed by members of the Benton Post of the Grand Army of the Republic (Union Civil War veterans). At the cemetery the children would assist in the decorating graves. Actually, it was the G.A.R. that started the movement to decorate graves and for many decades it was known as Decoration Day.
“Dishes rattled, stove pipes were disjointed, cabinets and beds danced to a merry tune Sunday night [March 9, 1930]” from an earthquake according to the reported call of the caretaker at Camp 7 of the Fruit Growers Supply Company. Camp 7, it should be duly noted was located at Bridge Creek Springs, located between McCoy Flat Reservoir and Pine Creek Valley.
The whole region is earthquake country, though not as volatile as other places, one never knows where they may occur.
Say What? In 1968 this Act was approved by Congress which moved certain holidays from when traditionally observed, to a Monday to create three-day weekends. One of the victims was Memorial Day in my opinion. Prior to this everyone observed Memorial Day on May 30, with the ritual of going to the cemeteries placing flowers, etc. Over time, people began to spread out going to the cemeteries over a three week period, if it all. And that is my two-cents worth!
One just never knows what will rise to the surface. This brass marker was used to indicate the room number at the Amedee Hotel. The hotel had twenty-seven guest rooms, a bar and billiard room, two dining rooms and two kitchens. The expansive second floor balcony afforded not only views of the Honey Lake Valley, but that of Lassen Peak.
The dining room at the Gallatin House, circa 1918. Courtesy of Wyn Wachhorst
In the 1980s, the forest service considered Gallatin House at Eagle Lake surplus property and wanted to demolish it. More about this later. Anyhow, the property is now part of of Camp Ronald McDonald at Eagle Lake. This Saturday and Sunday they will be holding their 25th Annual Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. It only cost five dollars for all you can eat breakfast. Proceeds benefit Lassen County Kids Camper Scholarship Fund.
In 1914-15, B.F. Loomis became a widely known photographer for his stunning photographs of the Lassen Peak volcanic eruptions. Loomis was fortunate since he operated a hotel at nearby Viola, a short distance from the peak. Loomis would become an ardent supporter of Lassen Volcanic National Park. In 1926, Loomis purchased 40-acres near Reflection Lake, which at that time was not inside the park. In 1927, he built a museum of native stone and reinforced concrete. The museum served two purposes. One, it allowed him to showcase his famed photographic collection of the Lassen Peak eruptions, previously on display at his hotel at Viola. The second it served as a memorial to his only child Louise Mae, who died in 1920. In 1929, he donated the property to the park, which in turn the park gave him a life estate to the museum property. So if you find yourself at the north end of the park, stop by and check out the museum.
