Asa Merrill Fairfield is known to different people for various aspects of his life. When I started my research a long time ago, I interviewed numerous people who knew him. Today, Fairfield is known for Fairfield’s Pioneer History of Lassen County. More on that later. Continue reading Asa M. Fairfield
It was my intention to conduct a Susanville Mural Tour today. However, due to other time constraints I have not had ample time to assemble the program. As I have previously mentioned that the tour not only gives background on each mural, but the building in which they adorn. For example, there is a bit of irony with the Purity Grocery mural on the LMUD building, since that building was constructed in 1940 for Safeway, Purity’s competitor. My goal now is sometime in July.
Eagle Lake Nature Programs Presents “Snakes at the Lake with Dr. Amanda Sparkman,” Saturday, June 17, 7:00 p.m. Merrill Amphitheater, County Road A1, Eagle Lake, South Shore. (in the event of rain, event will be postponed or canceled).
Eagle Lake Nature Programs kicks off its 2017 Summer Programs with, “Snakes at the Lake with Dr. Amanda Sparkman.” Dr. Sparkman, of Westmont University in Santa Barbara, California, and currently doing field study at Eagle Lake, has been involved in researching Eagle Lake garter snakes since 2005, but the original study of these snakes began 40 years ago. “We’re interested in the ecology and evolution of these snakes, including how they’ve adapted their growth rates, reproduction, lifespan, and behavior to different habitats surrounding Eagle Lake, as well as how they are responding genetically, physiologically, and demographically to current environmental change.” This year it will be particularly interesting to see how or if the increased precipitation has affected the snakes at all. Continue reading Eagle Lake Nature Programs
Just the other day, it was interesting to note that the Lassen Ale Works at the Pioneer celebrated its fifth anniversary. Then I just realized that it was five years ago on June 15, 2012, that the Lassen County Fair Manager crashed into my parked Triumph. In addition, it was five years ago at this time when Lassen College Board of Trustees hired Dr. Marlon Hall, as the new president.
Well, can you believe it, it has been two years on Thursday that the old barn at the east entrance to Susanville was destroyed by a fire. It was built in 1920/21 for the Fruit Growers Supply Company, who were in the midst of constructing their new sawmill/box factory nearby. Continue reading A two year anniversary
While I have focused a lot on the Gallatins, there were a few other cabins built at the south shore of Eagle Lake, on the handful parcels the Gallatins did not own. For the record, it should be duly noted that the Gallatins at one time gave consideration of providing cabin sites on a lease basis, but that never transpired. Continue reading Eagle Lake Cabins
With a lot of pomp and ceremony the local Masonic Lodge featured prominently in the laying of the cornerstone of the new Lassen County High School building on September 23, 1905. When the high school was formed it held its classes in the Susanville Grammar School, later renamed Washington. In 1904, the trustees purchased the Main Street campus for $2,000. The next step was to build the school. In July 1905, the Granite Rock Company was awarded to build the landmark building at a cost of $25,670. It was designed by W.H. Weeks of Watsonville, California. Placed in the cornerstone were copies of Lassen Advocate, Lassen Weekly Mail, Big Valley Gazette, Programme of the Day, List of Town Trustees, Copy of Red Book, List of County Officers, and Rays from the Purple. Whether the cornerstone was saved when the school was torn down in 1968, is not known.
On August 15, 1900 the voters inside proposed boundaries of Susanville voted to incorporate as a municipality. Its status was regarded as a “Town.” In the spring of 1940, the citizens submitted a petition to change from “Town” to “City.” which the council obliged.
Subscribers may recall the post about Chicken Nuggets. There was one particular instant when gold nuggets surfaced in a field near Spoonville. It is also a tale of lost treasure, but many of those tales are based on fiction, whereas the following has some real substance.
One November morning in 1877 one of John Dunn’s daughters, (some say Arminta and others Mary) followed their father who had just plowed a field near the old location of Spoonville. The little girl picked what she thought was a piece of brass and on her way back home, tossed it aside. She mentioned this to her folks and they went back and retraced her steps and found the specimen. It turned out to be a 13 ounce gold nugget worth $220. The next day neighbors began examining the field, and more nuggets were found, but not as large as the first one. It was believed that the gold belonged to the Frenchman Henry Gordier who was murdered in 1858. There are some under the impression that there is more gold to be found, and others still search for clues as to where the gold came from.
Janesville is one of the original school districts established when Lassen County was formed in 1864. On March 16, 1889, the voters approved the $1,500 bond measure to build a new school, which is featured above. In 1948, the voters were once again asked to approve a bond measure for a new school and it was approved, the old school replaced.
