Lassen County Desert Land Act

April 19, 2017 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

The Belfast District, 1898. It was to be the center piece of Merrill’s reclamation project.

In the early 1870s, when Captain Charles A. Merrill proposed to tap Eagle Lake, he found it necessary to have Congress pass a homestead act that focused on arid lands, as nothing existed. Thus, on March 3, 1875, Congress approved the Lassen County Desert Land Act. Under the Act, an individual could claim up to 640 acres of government land. They had two years to reclaim the land by irrigation, and then could purchase the land from the government for $1.25 per acre. Residence on the land was not a requirement. It proved so popular that in 1877, Congress approved the Desert Land Act, which covered all arid lands in the western United States. The latter Act has had a lasting impact, and is still one of very few homestead acts in existence. In the 1980s when Franklin Jeans proposed his water export scheme of the groundwater on the Nevada side of the Honey Lake Valley, he used the Desert Land Act to increase his holdings and to put more wells to accomplish that goal.

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History

Susanville Cemetery Relics

April 18, 2017 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Shinn family plot, Susanville Cemetery, November 19, 2015

Over the years in the area surrounding and including the Susanville Cemetery various Native American artifacts have surfaced. In one particular instance the Lassen Advocate of 10 June 1881 reported the following: Indian Relics. In digging the ditch to lay pipe for conducting water to the cemetery, eighteen inches below the surface, Mr. Frost came upon four stone implements that were once used by Indians or some other race of people. One of the stones is evidently a mill for making flour from seeds or acorns, the other three were probably used for dressing skins. They have fallen into good hands, Mr. Frost is collecting these interesting relics of the past to be preserved.

Of particular note the grave of Mr. Frost will be included in September’s cemetery tour, as part of the centennial celebration of the Lassen County Courthouse.

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History

Roosevelt Pool Opens

April 17, 2017 Tim Purdy 2 Comments

It will not be too much longer when the new community pool, that replaced the Roosevelt, will open. Yet, it was on this date, April 17, 1938 that the Roosevelt Pool opened.

The Works Projects Administration (WPA) was part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal program to help stimulate economic recovery brought upon the Great Depression of the 1930s. For years Susanville residents desired a swimming pool. Frank O’Kelly spearheaded the movement and wanted to convert the Fruit Growers ranch (now Susanville Ranch Park) into a recreational facility complete with a golf course, swimming pool, picnic area and playground. Everyone liked the concept except for Fruit Growers who owned the property and were not interested in leasing or donating the property. O’Kelly undaunted by the setback persevered and it was decided to move forward with a community pool. The plans were submitted and the WPA approved it for a cost of $28,433.

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History

The other Eagle Lake Proposal

April 16, 2017 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Of what was one of the more unusual uses of Eagle Lake water was a proposal to use that resource in the mining operations at Hayden Hill, located some twenty-five miles north of the lake.

During the 1920s and 1930s, both the mining activity and the population at Hayden Hill declined. In 1934, Stratton & Stratton of Spokane, Washington consolidated the mine ownership. They had high hopes to revive the Hill. One of the main drawbacks that Hayden Hill suffered was the lack of water for milling. In 1938, Stratton & Stratton proposed to pipe water from Eagle Lake, at a rate of 2,500 gallons per minute. This scheme never came to fruition.

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News

Your Topic

April 15, 2017 Tim Purdy 2 Comments

On a quarterly basis, I ask you, the reader, if there is something you would like to learn more about or maybe its something you heard but question its validity. So here is an opportunity to participate. I will do my best to answer any questions. It should be noted, it may take awhile for the answer to appear as a post. The primary reason, many of the daily posts are done nearly a month in advance. So by the time you read this, I am already working on posts in the middle of May, or at least I should be. Whatever the case may be, I look forward to hearing from you. Of course, it should be noted that paid subscribers requests receive priority. In addition, you can always send an request at any time. Such is the case with the Bayley Creek Sawmill on the north side of Fredonyer Peak.

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History

The Snowball Special

April 14, 2017 Tim Purdy 1 Comment

The Western Pacific Railroad’s Highline also referred to as the Northern California Extension went from Keddie, Plumas County north to Bieber, Lassen County where it connected with the Great Northern Railroad. A major disappointment to many was that regular passenger service was never instituted. Continue reading The Snowball Special →

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Upcoming Tour Dates

April 13, 2017 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Goggle sign — 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.

Sooner or later we should start experiencing some nice weather conditions. After a long wet winter many are anxious to get out and about. With that in mind here are some of the tour dates scheduled:

Saturday, May 13 – Inspiration Point Tour. Susanville’s first park, provides a wonderful vista to explore the regions geology, as well as mining, and plenty of other topics in between.

Saturday, June 17 – Mural Tour. This is in uptown Susanville and not only the history behind the mural, but the history of the building that it is on. Should there be plenty of interest, this may be held once a month during the summer inconjunction with the Farmer’s Market.

Wednesday, June 21 – Summer Solstice Sunrise Tour. Visit Belfast and see what happens, it only happens on this one day, every year since ancient times.

Saturday, September 16 – Lassen County Courthouse Centennial. A lot of activities are planned that day, including a Susanville Cemetery tour that will feature a cross section of county officials interred there.

Note: For non-subscribers there is a five dollar fee.

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History

Doyle, 1948

April 12, 2017 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Town of Doyle was surveyed and subdivided in 1911. However, there was plenty of activity there, since the Western Pacific Railroad had already established a station. So, the new town of Doyle was serviced, not by one, but two railroads, the other being the NCO. Yet, changes were on the horizon and Doyle like so many rural communities suffered from the effects of World War I. Many of its residents, and the regional homesteaders, never returned seeking new opportunities elsewhere.

In the 1940s, Doyle experienced a revival, due in part of the establishment of the nearby Sierra Ordnance Depot. In 1948, the Doyle Civic League proclaimed: “There is a boom on in Doyle.” The League cited among other things that the community boasted three grocery stores, three gas stations and two taverns with cafes.

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History

Providence Mine – Hayden Hill

April 11, 2017 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Hayden Hill’s first mine, was named the Providence. In the early 1870s, Hayden Hill was sometimes referred to as Providence. The following whimsical account is from the Mountain Tribune of Bieber, April 22, 1882 that explains how the name came to be: “While at Hayden Hill this week in search of information, we inquired of Ben Bradshaw which was the first claim located on the Hill and he informed me that the Providence was the oldest claim. Being curious to know why it was so named he said it was located and owned by ‘seven preachers and two white men.’ We record this fact for the benefit of the future historiographer of the Hill.”

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History

The Tax Man Cometh

April 10, 2017 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

As county property taxes are due today, throughout time there are those who protest the taxes and the valuation of their properties. Today, we examine one episode that involved Lewis W. Brubeck and his Amedee Hotel property.

S.N. Griffith had the hotel constructed in the spring of 1892, at a reported cost of $25,000. On August 26, 1892, Brubeck acquired the hotel for $5,000. On July 10, 1899, Brubeck filed a protest over the hotel’s assessed value with Lassen County. In his affidavit, he stated not only had the property depreciated over the years, but the railroad’s intention to extend its line north, the property value would even be worth less. Brubeck informed the Assessor that he would take $2,000 cash for it, though the Assessor had it valued at $3,000. Brubeck’s appeal was rejected. In November 1900 he sold the property, though the record is not clear whether he received his asking price of $2,000.