Note: This brought back by popular demand. Remember at the upper right hand corner there is a search feature, where one can insert a topic.
Exploring lava beds, which there is plenty around Northeastern California, there is no telling what a person might find. The Brockman Flat Lava Beds on the west side of Eagle Lake is no exception. Continue reading Eagle Lake Ice Caves
At the St. Patrick’s Cemetery Tour,the first grave visited was that of Matilda Todd Montgomery. In 1865, Matilda’s two sisters, Margaret Streshly and Mary Drake, were instrumental in soliciting both building materials and money to build the first Richmond School.
On April 1, 1966, Richmond School was held for the last time in that building. The original one-room school was replaced with a $175,000 structure that consisted of three classrooms, offices, a kitchen and a multipurpose room and located a short distance to the east. The original school building still remains, though it has been remodeled, and converted into a private residence.
In 1877, Thomas Abner “Ab” Ramsey arrived in Janesville from his native Iowa. In Janesville, he had numerous relatives, as his mother was a McMurphy. In February 1882, he went into partnership with John T. Masten to purchase the Benjamin Wood ranch in the Tule District of the Honey Lake Valley, each paying $2,000 for the 400-acre ranch. It should be noted that Masten had been a resident of this district since 1872, who had purchased the adjoining John M. Kelley ranch (now Tanner 2016). Within two years, it was no longer just a business proposition, but a family affair when Ab Ramsey married Masten’s daughter, Minnie, on Christmas Eve, 1884.
More changes were on the horizon when in 1886, they sold the ranch to the Dotta Brothers. (Seasoned residents will know this property as the old Bailey Ranch, now owned by Jay Dow). In the meantime, Masten purchased a 640-acre just south of Susanville on Richmond Road from David Knoch for $12,000. The two families relocated to their new home.
In 1892, Ab Ramsey purchased the Marc Bantley place on Johnstonville, about halfway between Susanville and Johnstonville. It should be noted that at all three ranches they had dairy cows.
In 1907, John Masten and his wife Amelia decided it was time to retire, after all he was now 74 years old. Ab Ramsey purchased Masten’s ranch and the Masten’s opted to retire at Pacific Grove, commonly referred to as Honey Lake Heaven. A little over ten years later, Ab and Minnie Ramsey would follow suit. In 1919, his sons, Frank and Roy took over the Richmond Road property, and another son, Masten the Johnstonville Road property.
In 1940, Masten sold the Johstonville Road property to Millard Ulch and moved to Likely. The Richmond Road property was a different story. Frank Ramsey died suddenly in 1921, and his wife Grace continued with the ranch later marrying John Millsap. Over the years, they eventually purchased Roy Ramsey’s interest. In 1960, Grace Millsap sold the ranch to Les and Lyn Allen.
The other week there was a post Go Exploring and that is what I recently did. One of the sites visited played a major role in Lassen County development, though there is no historical marker and in addition no reference on maps. The initial concept was in 1875, construction began in 1881 and the site was not abandoned until 1917.
In 1862, the John D. Kelley family arrived in Susanville from Washoe Valley, Nevada. The following year they located in the Tule District of the Honey Lake Valley. The property was known for many years as the Dill Ranch, now owned by Jay Dow.
On July 8, 1863, the family went over to Milford for a social visit. Kelley’s nine-year-old son, Elbern and Joshua Bristo Rice, then eleven, went down to play along the shore of Honey Lake. They then ventured out into the lake on a sand bar. Kelley went even further and got into deep water and did not know how to swim. Rice did not know how to swim either, and rushed to get help. By the time Rice returned it was too late, and Kelley had drowned. It was the first death at Milford and the second drowning in Honey Lake.
A native of North Carolina and born on 29 April 1813, is in many ways considered the original dean of Lassen County’s legal community. Like so many, he slowly worked his way west. His first stop Montgomery County, Indiana where his four children were born. Then it was to Iowa for a brief spell. In 1849, Harrison set out for the gold fields of California and like so many others, had never mined before.
Fortunately, when he arrived in Shasta County he was able to fall back on his original profession as an attorney. He served two different terms as county judge in Shasta, and then moved to Red Bluff. There he served a term as Tehama County District Attorney. In 1862 he was lured to the mines of Unionville, Nevada. Again, he fell back on his previous profession and passed the Nevada bar exam.
In 1863 he returned to Red Bluff to spend the winter and the following spring moved his family to Susanville. On October 18, 1865 he was elected county judge of Lassen County. After his two year term expired, he continued with his mining interest. In June 1868, he was appointed to the position of Lassen County District Attorney, as Isaac Roop failed to qualify for that job. He remained in that position until his death on April 24, 1870. It should be duly noted that some of his descendants still reside in Lassen County.
Some folks have expressed an interest to venture around portions of the eastern area of the Honey Lake Valley. Of course, this is not something you do in July and for that matter in August. Ideally, it is more of late September outing.
Stops could include Wendel, Amedee Cemetery, the remnants of Stacy and the Honey Lake Cemetery. Maybe, if we are lucky enough a visit to the High Rock Ranch, though I do not know the current owners. However, to do such an outing, does take planning on my part, hence I am sending out this feeler, first to see if there is enough interest to warrant such an excursion. There is also an option in which I could put together a self-guided tour packet as an alternative due to scheduling conflicts or other issues that might arise. Either leave a comment or contact me direct.
While working on an article about the Ramsey family and ranch operations, I came across the above photograph in the Ramsey file that I had forgotten about. About fifteen years, or so ago, I went to Reno visit with Keston Ramsey. Keston was born in Susanville on August 1, 1908, the son of Max and Lola Hunsinger Ramsey. It should be noted among Keston’s many activities was that in 1945 he built and opened the Sky Tavern, the first ski resort on Mount Rose. He was also a co-cofounder of the Reno Junior Ski Program.
Anyhow, back to the topic at hand. Some of the photographs Keston shared with me was that of Roop’s Fort. Keston always referred to it as the old apple house. In should be noted that in 1863, Isaac Roop gave the property to his three children which he referred to it in the deed as the old Homestead place.
I thought some people might be interested in these two views, in light of the recent completion of Roop’s Fort Restoration program. It should also be noted, the original structure did not have a high pitched roof. It was modified by the Arnold family for the storage of apples and hay.
Gallatin Beach has been one of the lake’s popular spots. Visitors were fortunate in the aspect that Malvena Gallatin not only allowed public access, but there were no fees or any other restrictions. Another property owner, especially if it was a timber company, would not have been so gracious. After all, others would have been concerned about fire danger. Fortunately, no problems were encountered.
It should be noted that Malvena Gallatin owned over forty miles of Eagle Lake’s 100-mile shoreline. In 1944, Malvena’s only grandchild passed away and Eagle Lake lost its special appeal as a family summer retreat. In 1946, she sold all of her Eagle Lake property to the Lassen Lumber & Box Company for $100,000, though she retained a small parcel that contained the summer home. The future of public access looked bleak. Lassen Lumber was only interested in the timber. Later in 1946, the Lassen National Forest reached a deal with Lassen Lumber to exchange timberlands elsewhere in exchange for the Gallatin property. The two agreed, and that is how Gallatin Beach became a public beach on public property.
With summer weather upon us, it is an ideal time to check out the many wonders that surround the residents of the Lassen Region. The editorial from the Lassen Advocate of June 21, 1929 is a time less piece worthy of republishing. After all, August will be here before you know it and the summer days begin to wane. Take the paper’s advice and go exploring.
Know Your Country
If you were wondering what to do with your weekends this summer, have you ever given any thought to the fact that you don’t know your own county and the wonderful lake and mountain country immediately contiguous.
Within a few hours of Susanville there are numerous beautiful lakes as well as some beautiful streams and excellent camping spots.
How many have been to Drakesbad and to the top of Mount Lassen? How many have been to the ice caves near Eagle Lake and Wilson Lake?
There are many trips that can be taken from Susanville in the morning returning the same evening and traversing in the meantime a lot of new country that you have never seen before. Beauty spots near a mountain stream with clear sparkingly water are numerous where one may have their picnic lunch.
Try and see your own neck of the woods this summer. You will find many a pleasant day in store for you.