One of the side effects of a new railroad was real estate promotion and/or speculation some might say. When the Fernley & Lassen Railroad was being constructed during 1912-13, it witnessed some new towns along its railroad line in the Honey Lake Valley–Stacy, Litchfield and Leavitt. Of course, exisiting railroad communities such as Flanigan, Amedee and Wendel benefitted from the new railroad. In 1913, a town to be named Review was proposed along the Fernley & Lassen Railroad between Flanigan and Stacy, but it was never developed.
From time to time, I make a reference to the Tule District, which is the lower end of the Susan River of the Honey Lake Valley. Recently, I came across the above map, which is the kind of visual that makes it easier for many .
One of the attributes of the district, is water wars. Two of the biggest were one that involved the Colony Dam just below where Willow Creek enters the Susan River near Standish. The other is the “granddaddy of all,” Fleming vs. Bennett. In the course of time, it involved every water user in the Susan River watershed, and also that of Baxter Creek. The adjudicated decree is the basis for the current allocation of water today.
The Ladies of the Sacred Heart were an energetic bunch during the early days of the parish. One of their most popular annual events were Christmas dances. The first one was held in December 1910, and was not only well attended, but was a successful fund raiser–as usual the proceeds were used to make improvements to the church. However the next year, when Deputy Sheriff William L. Blake was killed in the line of duty in November 1911, the proceeds of the Christmas dance went to aid his widow Minnie instead. Continue reading The Christmas Ball→
For many, the holidays are a time to celebrate good cheer among friends and family. However, for some, it is a dreaded time. My good friend, the late Phil Hall, fell in the later category. It should be noted, his parents both passed away shortly before Christmas. Even Phil, died a few days prior to Christmas Day, 1996. Continue reading A Sad Christmas Tale→
The corner of Main & South Gay Streets, circa 1910.
The photographer of the above photograph had the luxury to be able to stand in Main Street, while I played it safe and took the current view from the sidewalk. Only one building still remains. In the original photograph it was the Bank of Lassen County, and now the building is the office for Verizon.
Wow, just think it was on this date in 2004 that Susanville’s Roosevelt Pool was condemned. A lot has transpired over the years, but a new pool is under construction, and more on that at a later date.
Anyhow, the following is the tale of one of the first attempts to build a swimming pool in Susanville. On February 1, 1928 Soren Hansen addressed the Susanville Rotary Club with his intentions to construct a swimming pool at the bottom of Winchester Hill near the Richmond Road Bridge. With him was Rex Dickerson of Reno to assist with finances and local architect R.D. Taylor who brought preliminary drawings. Hansen stated he already had a well drilled, striking hot water at 417 feet. In addition to the pool, he proposed tennis and handball courts. However, Hansen’s proposal did not go very far, but it would be resurrected.
In December 1928, the eight students of the Eagle Lake School made table favors in the shape of tom turkeys made from pine cones. These were used for a rural education banquet in Chico to honor Dr. Melvin Pittmann professor of rural schools in Michigan.
Miss Lola Willett, the teacher of the Eagle Lake School was commended for her work with her students throughout the year for the students cleverly made art work. In addition, a resolution was passed commending the school which also included a five pound box of chocolates, that was divided among the eight pupils. So it must have been a very sweet Christmas at the home of Coit and Laura Stone, whose children made up the bulk of the student population at Eagle Lake.
Southern Pacific’s railroad trestle at South Lassen Street, December 1955.
The floods of December 1955, locally and throughout California was a notable event to say the least. It began with warm rains on December 15th and by December 20th, 4.41 inches had fallen in Susanville. The snow elevation remained high, and on December 20th there was 21 inches of snow on Fredonyer summit. The rain continued turning the Susan River into a raging menace. Conditions worsened as the river brought assorted debris with the floodwaters. The debris became a major obstruction when it collided with the Southern Pacific’s railroad trestle at Susanville’s Lassen Street. On December 23rd Marvin D. Coltran, a member of Southern Pacific’s bridge gang fell into the water there. Efforts were made to reach him, but the river’s swift current swept him away. Continue reading The Floods of 1955→
Big Meadows [now Lake Almanor] Maidu Camp, 1887. Courtesy of the National Park ServiceIf there was a text book history of Lassen County, N.D. Rideout name would probably not show up, and if it did it would be an obscure footnote. Yet, this Marysville merchant did exercise some influence on the region, especially when he became an investor in a short line railroad known as the Northern California. When T.B. Walker’s Red River Lumber Company began acquisition of timberland in Northern California, the two men became acquainted. After all, Walker was in need of a railroad to access his holdings, and Rideout owned one. In 1906, Rideout and Walker reached an agreement wherein the Northern California Railroad would build a line from Red Bluff to Fall River Mills, where Walker intended to build his first sawmill in California. However, in 1907, Rideout abruptly died, and everything came to a halt.
However, Rideout, also left a bit of legacy behind as he had an interest in photography. He was amateur photographer, long before cameras were common place. In 1887, he took several photographs including the one above, and also one of Drakesbad.
L.D. McDow Residence. Courtesy of George McDow, Jr.
In 1875, Lafayette D. McDow constructed a house on what would later become of the southwest corner of Main and McDow Streets. McDow came to Lassen County in the 1860s, where he spent much of his time either operating a sawmill or mining on Diamond Mountain.
In 1920, McDow’s son, George and Russell Brownell subdivided property in the eastern portion of Susanville to be known as the Milwood Tract. On June 28, 1928, the old McDow home was destroyed by fire, then occupied by the family of J.A. Metz. For Metz, the house was convenient, as he worked as the janitor of the nearby Lincoln School.
