News

2018 Eagle Lake Calendars

November 10, 2017 Tim Purdy 3 Comments

They are now available and 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 or (4) if you happen to be Martin Balding you know the routine.

*I know it shows the 2017 calendar. I am hoping to have a new computer shortly, since my old browser will not allow me to edit pages. Thanks for your patience.

History

Commanche Creek

November 9, 2017 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

This was the original name for Baxter Creek. In the summer of 1855, Marion Lawrence, better known as “Commanche George,” made one of the first water diversions of any stream in the Honey Lake Valley. In 1864, Lawrence and B.F. Murphy claimed the Buffalo Salt Marsh in the Smoke Creek Desert as a salt mine—that Murphy developed into a profitable enterprise. Lawrence died in 1868 and was buried in an unmarked grave, one mile north of Peter Lassen’s grave

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History

Colony Dam, Susan River

November 8, 2017 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

In November 1897, the Colonial Irrigation Company of the Honey Lake Valley, part of the Standish Colony operation began work on the controversial Colony Dam on the Susan River, near that community. The construction of the dam outraged their neighbors downstream in the Tule District, who claimed it obstructed their water flow and riparian rights. The Tule folks took the matter to court and not only asked for an injunction, but demanded the $12,000 dam be removed as a nuisance. Lewis Brubeck, who owned the Smith place in the Tules (now the Fleming Unit of Fish & Game), also filed a separate lawsuit against the Company in 1898, as the waters of the river had been diverted, never reaching his property. The Brubeck verdict was important to the Tule people, for while Brubeck only received a damage award of $750, the court placed a restraining order against the Company, preventing the Company from irrigating any other lands until Brubeck’s lands were thoroughly irrigated.
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History

Remember Dyer Mountain?

November 7, 2017 Tim Purdy 2 Comments

A view of Westwood with Keddie Ridge in the background, 1955.

It was seventeen years ago on this date that voters approved a ballot initiative to amend the county’s General Plan, Zoning Ordinance and Westwood Area Plan to allow the development of a four-season resort near Westwood known as Dyer Mountain. It was proposed to build three golf courses, ski runs, along with thousands of houses, condos along with commercial retail projects. It became a contentious issue fought by environmental groups. Plagued with financial and legal issues the project has been derailed. I am sure there can be volumes about the topic.
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History

Cemetery Tours Explained

November 6, 2017 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

The grave of Jeremiah Wood at the Susanville Cemetery. March 17, 2016

After the County Courthouse Centennial Cemetery Tour several people inquired why I do not repeat this or other cemetery tours. It should be noted, I was asked this year to repeat the Westwood Centennial Cemetery Tour, however due to scheduling conflicts I declined. Though, I did provide the narrative should someone else want to lead the tour. Back to the question at hand. There are so many facets to explore i.e., Civil War veterans. Or another example there are nearly ten people buried in Susanville who were born prior 1800! In addition, there are other cemeteries to visit.

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History

Name that mountain – The answer

November 5, 2017 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Antelope Mountain on the west side of Eagle Lake. On July 28, 1924 a fire broke out from a steam donkey engine of the Fruit Growers Supply Company near Camp D. In the aftermath Fruit Growers constructed fire lines. The Lassen National Forest sent a bill to Fruit Growers for $156,000. In a negotiated settlement Fruit Growers agreed to replant 2,000 acres of forest service land and to contribute $1,500 annually for a ten year period for reforestation.

History

Smoke Trees Revisited

November 4, 2017 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Earlier this year I wrote about Smoke Trees and how the foliage changes with the seasons. In the spring it has a pinkish hue and then turns green for the summer. It is now fall and changes color for a third time—gold.

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A Smoke Tree on Roop Street, Susanville.

News

Coppervale

November 3, 2017 Tim Purdy 1 Comment

If you do not have any plans, you may want to attend the annual fundraiser for the Coppervale Ski Hill tomorrow, Friday, November 3 from 4:30 -8 pm. It will be held at the Lassen Community College Cafeteria /Student Union, featuring a teriyaki chicken and rice dinner with a salad, roll and a drink as well as live music, door prizes, a raffle and a silent auction.

All proceeds will help keep Coppervale open. Tickets are available at the LCC Student Union or at Margie’s Book Nook. The cost for this event is $12 for adults and $8 for children under 12.
P.S. If you want to know the history behind Coppervale it can be found in Volume 4 of the Red River Series, which includes the history of the roadhouses between Susanville and Westwood. Also, in December is the history behind Willard Hill and how it ties into Coppervale.

News

Give the gift of Lassen County history

November 2, 2017 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Not sure what to give that special someone, but want to keep the budget balanced too? Why not a gift membership to tipurdy.org. At five dollars a month it is a bargain. You can decided whether for a month, quarter or even splurge for a year.

The recipient not only receives a daily email notification of the latest topic, but is entitled to hard to find papers on the Eagle Lake Ice Caves, too. On top of that they can partake in members only tours varying from a summer solstice observance at an ancient solar observatory to a light hearted Halloween Tour. Even if that person on your list is not local, they still receive materials associated with the tours.

Information on subscriptions is found right here. Have a question drop me a line at tim@tipurdy.org.

History

The other Washington School

November 1, 2017 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Washington School, 1916–D.M. Durst Collection

While many residents of the Honey Lake Valley were familiar with Washington School in Susanville, there was another Washington School in Big Valley that was established in March 1872. On Wednesday, November 12, 1887, the first school was destroyed by fire. The roof caught on fire from a defective flue while school was in session. The fire was not discovered until burning embers started to fall through the ceiling. Fortunately, no one was injured during the evacuation. In addition, everything was saved except for five desks, and, of course, the wood stove. After the fire, classes were temporarily held in John Finley’s house. A new schoolhouse was completed in September 1888, though it wasn’t until October 1889 that the voters approved a $550 bond measure to pay for it. The school closed in 1938 for lack of students and the following year it was annexed to Bieber. In July 1939, A. Jack purchased the abandoned schoolhouse for $35.

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