The aftermath of the 1915 fire.On October 29, 2017 I wrote a story about the first bell of the Methodist Church that was destroyed in the 1915 fire. It was a devastating blow to the congregation emotionally as well as financially. The church was insured for $5,000, but they would need an additional $3,000 to rebuild, and that included using the existing walls. The Rev. J.H. Westervelt who was the pastor at the time was a resourceful fellow such as holding a Kirmes Festival as a fundraiser. In 1916, an opportunity for a bell arose when Lassen County was in the midst of The infamous bell. Courtesy of Martin Baldingconstructing a new courthouse. The old courthouse, which was built in 1867, along with other items were auctioned off and sold at a bargain, and Westervelt acquired the bell that was used in the original courthouse, for his church. That bell is still used to this day.
The last memoirs of the late Glenn Wemple.Harvesting the Crops: the Final Recollections of a Milford Rancher are the memoirs of the late Glenn Wemple which was released last month. Glenn wrote and many a soul has experienced this a similar episode: “As I have written earlier I always said I was never going to be a rancher, but honestly I didn’t have any idea what I wanted to do. Thanksgiving dinner in 1950 was the turning point in my adult life.” For those interested the publication is available in Susanville at Margie’s Book Nook.
Lassen Advocate, October 28, 1977In the fall of 1977 the Lassen Advocate reported the long-awaited restoration of the steps leading into the Lassen County Courthouse. One of the main features was the installation of an access ramp for the disabled and handicapped. Sezzi Concrete was awarded the $10,000 project which was completed in November 1977.
2018 Eagle Lake CalendarIf you have not purchased this special limited edition calendar, time is running out. There is a handful of calendars available at Margie’s Book Nook. I will accept orders for one more week. Here are your options (1) You can order online from this site.(2) You can purchase them in Susanville at Margie’s Book Nook. If you do this method let me know, your calendar order will be set aside to pick up when it is convenient for you (3) You can have your calendar(s)sent to you with an invoice.
Red River’s 102, with a jammer in tow.As today marks the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, I recall a comment a colleague made many years ago and how it was linked to Lassen County. At issue was when the Red River Lumber Company sold its scrap iron to Japan, who would in turn use to the scrap iron for war purposes and ultimately the bombing of Pearl Harbor. In September 1933, Red River Lumber Company sold $15,000 of scrap iron and obsolete machinery to the Japanese government. According to the press release “Many see the order from Tokyo for junk the possibility that preparations are being made for war on an extreme scale. Scrap iron is utilized in munitions making.”
Susanville’s Owl Saloon circa 1907. Ironically, this establishment burned down only six weeks after Prohibition took effect in 1919. Courtesy of Del & Diane PooleThe last vestigaes of the Volstead Act came crashing down on this day in 1933, when prohibition was fully repealed and saloons once again opened. However, things did not quite return to the free-wheeling days before prohibition. This time the state was in control of issuing liquor licenses, while in the past it was the county board of supervisors. Locally, it was a fairly quite affair. Law enforcement still had to deal bootlegging issues to make sure that saloons were only serving alcohol and carried the government revenue stamps.
Gallatin Beach, 1919. Courtesy of Wyn WachhorstSome may find this of interest. The lake has only dropped 1.59 feet this year and is 4.21 feet above this time last year. Several of my colleagues, including myself, thought this was rather remarkable. When one considers that the summer was abnormally hot this year, one would assume that due to evaporation the level of the lake would have dropped more. One explanation is that it might be possible that the springs underneath lake have recharged from the previous winter, thus offsetting the evaporation. I want to thank Don Willis, Lassen County Surveyor who on the first of every month monitors the lake level and provided this information.
H.C. Stockton’s grave, 1977.Occasionally, I do a Now and Then segment. This one has a unique twist since it involves a cemetery plot. Those who either attended or reviewed the narrative of the Courthouse Centennial Cemetery Tour may recall the last grave visited was that of H.C. Stockton. As a refresher, Stockton was appointed Supervisor in May 1864, along with Eber Bangham and Alvaro Evans to organize the newly created Lassen County. As you can see in the above photograph is his original headstone and below is the replacement. H.C. Stockton’s grave, 2017.
It was a busy day for folks to obtain the last cancellation mark.It was established on February 10, 1915 with Mrs. Gail H.V. James as postmaster. For the majority of the post office’s existence, Aldah Callahan Riesenman (1893-1978) served as postmaster and Florence Brandon succeeded her. The post office closed on December 3, 1993.
Westwood Boulevard, Los Angeles.Yes, there are two Westwoods in California. In the 1920s a subdivision known as Westwood Village was created in Los Angeles. It would soon become home of University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Because of UCLA’s medical center, some time’s a person’s place of death is listed at Westwood and some times the Lassen County Recorder will receive an inquiry for a death certificate for a person that died at the other Westwood.
