Today, marks my first anniversary of a daily blog. That topic concerned the history of the Roosevelt pool, which had been demolished in February 2015. You can read the full account here.

The City of Susanville and County of Lassen created the Honey Lake Valley Recreation Authority. It is a five member board with two representatives each from the City and County and a fifth seat to a member of the public.  As a casual observer, while countless meetings have been held, plans submitted, yet nothing as far I can tell, I don’t see anything moving forward. May be I am bit cynical, but their latest news release contained who and how much people will be paid for their services, but still no concrete details when a pool might get constructed. Hence, some creative person provided the above illustration. No doubt, a member of the Authority will take me to task and so hopefully a year from now on my second anniversary we may know more.

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In 1913, Susanville’s first movie theater opened for business at 804 Main Street. It was a multi-functional building where dances and other social events were held. It should be noted that the first movies to be shown in Susanville occurred in 1907. When the Orpheum first opened, movies were shown usually two to three nights a week. Whatever the case may be, it became one of the most popular social hubs in town. It should also be noted, that the basement of the Orpheum housed a bakery.

In 1921, the Orpheum had competition when the Liberty Theater opened at the present site of Sierra Theater. The Orpheum adapted and at times had a skating rink and bowling alley. Many a civic organization held meetings and social fundraisers there. On May 16, 1963, Paul Langslet had the building demolished for a parking/used car lot.

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The Smith Hotel, I have found intriguing in the sense of the lack of records. Yet, it was one of the more substantial buildings in Susanville during its day.

The founder, Jacob Smith, a german immigrant whose true spelling of his last name was Schmitt, arrived in Susanville, in the fall of 1864.  Records about his early activities conflict.  According to Fairfield’s history, Smith operated a brewery from 1865 to 1872.  Yet in December 1868 the Lassen Advocate reported that Smith and Doctor R.F. Moody were partners in a drug store. Moody filled the prescriptions and Smith sold them. The Advocate in April 1869 reported that Smith sold his drug store to Dr. Z.N. Spalding and had returned to brewing beer.

In the summer of 1877, Smith begins construction of his “fire-proof” three-story hotel. However, only the first floor was made of stone.  It was also not fire-proof as it was destroyed in the big fire of 1882. Some records state that Smith, along with his wife, Sophia, remained in the hotel business and others he continued as a brewer. Dick Harrison, a great-grandson was under the impression that Sophia operated a boarding house, but not a full-fledged hotel.

When new material surfaces, this page will be updated.

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