News

Ardene Purdy 1931-2017

January 14, 2017 Tim Purdy 14 Comments

Tanner Ranch, with Skedaddle Mountain in the background, 1997. Courtesy of Bob Sorvaag

My mother, Ardene Tanner Purdy, passed away on January 7, 2017. She came from hardy Lassen County pioneer stock and more about her and heritage in the future. Some may notice that a number of the historic photographs featured in these posts are credited to her mother, Lola Murrer Tanner.

My apologies if I have not answered anyone’s emails recently; along with this snafu between the web host server and my local, about the daily notifications. Please be patience, while I work through these issues.

Tim I. Purdy

History

Ski a Volcano

January 13, 2017 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

The Lassen Chalet at Lassen Park, 1970. Courtesy of the National Park Service

In the 1970s and 80s, the Ski A Volcano was a popular advertising slogan for the Lassen Ski Area at Lassen Park. The other day, someone asked me about this topic. Downhill skiing at Lassen, like so many places witnessed a dramatic increase in the sport after World War II. Continue reading Ski a Volcano →

History

It is a Long story.

January 12, 2017 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Known today as the Susanville Ranch Park, for many years it was the John T. Long Ranch.

Most of the topics I have been writing deal with places, and not so much the people. Well, I am working on providing a better balance. Thus, herewith is the brief introduction of the many Long families of Lassen County. Of course there are many geographical names in the area that have the “Long” attachment, the majority are attributed to dimensions, and not a surname.

On the other hand, there were several different Long families in the the Lassen area, and not related, though many had shared first names, which at times caused confusion. After all, there were occurences when a message was sent in 1910 for George Long the stage operator to pick up a railroad passenger at Wendel, or was it the other George Long, the butcher, who was courting an out of towner? Whatever the case may be, they both showed up, but the precious passenger, did not show.

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History

A bit of Lassen High history

January 11, 2017 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

The Grizzly Growler was the long standing student newspaper.

Lassen Advocate – 26 October 1944. New High School Paper to Appear Soon. A new high school paper to be called the “Cub Bark” is being issued at the Lassen Union High School this week under the sponsorship of the Journalism class. The new project is an attempt to take advantage of the high school students’ interest in news writing and will come out once a week. The traditional “Grizzly Growler,” parent of the smaller and more energetic publication, will assume new dignity by more careful edition plus the advantage of being printed in the Advocate print shop instead of being a mimeographed paper.

“The new “Growler” will endeavor to support itself by advertising. It is the intention of the administration of the paper to make it stand on its own worth of over five hundred readers and potential customers rather than on a donation basis by generous merchants. The business experience given to the students who publish is felt to be an invaluable and good education.”

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History

Eagle Lake – Bly Tunnel Question

January 10, 2017 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Blasting at the inlet of the Bly Tunnel, 1921. Courtesy of Lola L. Tanner

To the naked eye, today’s photographs does not look like much. For me I find it puzzling and I hoping someone can explain and/or give me some type of geology lesson.

The photographs were taken in 1921/22 at the inlet of the Bly Tunnel. The smoke depicted, in the above photograph, is from the blasting. What intrigues me is the tailing pile, which is composed of sand! The tunnel was constructed through lava rock. So where did the sand come from? By all means, please share this post to anyone who can enlighten me, and everyone else who would like further insight.

More sand. Courtesy of the D.M. Durst Collection

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History

Bagwell aka Fruit Growers Spring

January 9, 2017 Tim Purdy 2 Comments

The springs are located on the mountain side behind the ranch house compound. Courtesy of Hank Martinez

A subscriber wanted to know more about Fruit Growers Spring, also known as Bagwell Springs. These springs are located north of present day Susanville Ranch Park.

The springs were named for James Washington Bagwell, who located on 160-acres that included the springs. In 1893, he sold out to George W. Long for $300. In 1901, William Black Long claimed rights to this spring that he designated as Bagwell. In 1919, the Fruit Growers Supply Company purchased the property for its water rights. For a number of years the spring was known as Fruit Growers Spring. It appears with that designation in the decree of Fleming v Bennett—the adjudication of the Susan River watershed. In 1935, Fruit Growers sold the spring to the Republic Electric Power Company, who purchased it as an additional water source for Susanville. Thereafter, the spring was once again referred to as Bagwell. The springs are now owned by the City of Susanville, which are used in conjunction with the city’s water system.

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History

Spoonville – Then and Now

January 8, 2017 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

This district some three miles or so east of Janesville was orginally known as Missouri Bend, due to the fact that a large percentage of the original settlers came from that state. The community has seen better days, and now falls under the proverbial category of a “wide spot in the middle of the road.” The town once boasted a two-story hotel, two stores, blacksmith shop, creamery and a school. The only original buildings is the residence of E.C. Brown and the Missouri Bend Schoolhouse. For those who want to do a drive through, it is located today near the intersection of County Road A-3 and Cummings Road.

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History

Roxie Peconum

January 7, 2017 Tim Purdy 2 Comments

The Peconom family is one of the better known Maidu families. If you noticed that I highlighted the name in bold, there is a reason. The family name has been misspelled for years with a um instead of the proper om. Of course, the name spelling was brought to light, during the proposed name change of the first branch of Willard Creek to Roxie Peconum Creek to commemorate Roxie Yoanna Peconum (1851-1958), well-known member of the Maidu tribe, who gathered roots and berries in the region. However, some thought the name should be for the Peconom family, and not an individual family member. If it was to be the latter, the name should be Yoanna Creek for Roxie. Whatever the case may be, on February 11, 1993 U.S. Board of Geographic Names approved the name change to Roxie Peconum Creek.

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History

Willard Hill

January 6, 2017 Tim Purdy 1 Comment

Willard Hill located some six miles west of Susanville was a popular winter sports venue. Its initial development came about through Lassen College’s Forestry Program inconjunction with the National Youth Administration. The latter provided each forestry student with not only academic training but to work in related forestry jobs. For their part-time work the students were paid $30 a month, however $20 a month was deducted for room and board in the converted Alpine Hotel dormitory. Continue reading Willard Hill →

News

The Pioneer Brand Project

January 5, 2017 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

The interior wall at the Pioneer courtesy of Lassen Ale Works

With the Lassen Ale Works moving out of the Pioneer within a few months, has thrown a monkey wrench into this project. What the future holds for the Pioneer at this time, is not known. Should it close it affects the project, since the brands on the wall at that location and the story behind them go hand in hand. I will continue to gather the history of the brands, but the current circumstances places a barrier, and so whether a book will appear on the horizon, only time will tell.