History

Harrison’s Traction Engine

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Harrison's "might beast." Courtesy of Lola L. Tanner
Harrison’s “mighty beast.” Courtesy of Lola L. Tanner

1907 was a a most interesting one  in certain circles. There was a national financial crisis, but California and Nevada were experiencing a building boom. For the Golden State it was still in the midst of rebuilding the San Francisco Bay region from the previous year’s earthquake. For the Silver State, a mining bonanza it had not experienced since the discovery of the Comstock.  These two episodes created a lumber shortage. Lassen County’s timber resources had basically remained untapped due to the lack of a railroad infrastructure to develop it. Continue reading Harrison’s Traction Engine →

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Lassen County – Wendel

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Wendel Depot. Courtesy of Aldah Riesenman
Wendel Depot. Courtesy of Aldah Riesenman

Yesterday, I came across an article in the New York Times about the Wendel family. However, while quite interesting, it was not the same Wendel clan for the railroad town of the same name.  The Nevada-California-Oregon Railroad (NCO) named it after German investor Charles de Wendel. Some twenty-five years ago, Armin Wendel a family descendant contacted me about this town, which he thought was a major U.S. city. He assigned an assistant to make arrangements for a visit. That person contacted me about the Wendel International Airport, and was there a Holiday Day Inn where her boss could stay among many other inquiries. Needless to say Armin was disappointed when I relayed the conditions of the town along with photographs and he never made the journey.

It should be noted, there were two Wendels on the Nevada-California-Oregon Railroad (NCO). The first Wendel Station was established in 1913 in Lake County, Oregon and its existence was brief. In October 1914, the Lassen Advocate reported that the NCO and Southern Pacific (SP) Junction name was to be changed from Caloreta to Wendel. In addition, the post office located there was known as Purser, and that name would also be changed to Wendel. While the NCO adopted the name change, the SP did not change it to Wendel until 1917.

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History

Lassen County Brand Index

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Recorded brand of J.M. Hagata

I am pleased to announce that the index of Book A, of Lassen County Brands is now online. This covers the period from October 20, 1864 when Thomas Watson was the first person to record a livestock brand to February 13, 1918, when the last brand recorded was for F. Lanigar & Son.

The index is quite interesting, especially who recorded their brand and who did not want. Take for instance the Hagata brand appears, but not the Wood brand or Wemple. Of some trivia, in 1875, Sarah Sornberger of Big Valley was the first woman to record a brand. In 1876, Charles Willard registered the first brand designated for sheep. While many associate sheep with the Basques, it was not until 1907 when Baptiste Alsaga became the first Basque in Lassen County to register a brand.

Click here to examine the brand index.

History

Susanville’s First Golf Course

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A view looking at the former Ridenour property with the Sella dairy in the foreground, 1950s. Courtesy of Wendell V. Loughead
A view looking at the former Ridenour property with the Sella dairy in the foreground, 1950s. Courtesy of Wendell V. Loughead

After World War I, a new sport captured the nation and Lassen County got swept up in that craze. Golf. It was A.G. Breitwieser of the Lassen Lumber & Box Company, C.W. Hallowell of the local hardware store and James Christie of the furniture store that became the main instigators.

In the spring of 1924 they negotiated a lease with S.D. Ridenour for a portion of his ranch three miles south of Susanville for a 9-hole golf course.  In a short time, their group became formerly known as the Susanville Country Club.

On May 11, 1924, the golf course was opened, hours sunrise to sunset. The fee 75 cents a day.

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History

Eagle Lake Water Levels

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Pine Creek, April 2, 2016. Courtesy of Annie Henriques Blank
Pine Creek, April 2, 2016. Courtesy of Annie Henriques Blank

Remember last fall how the weather gurus were predicting a “Godzilla” like El Nino? While the water flows into Shasta and Oroville lakes have been spectacular, the same does not hold true Eagle Lake. You may recall, last October I attended the Eagle Lake Interagency Board meeting, and of course, water levels were discussed. You can review that post here. While the water flow in Pine Creek has been impressive, the lake level has not risen that much. The current lake level as of April 1, 2016 stood at 5092.56. When it reached its historic low last October the level was 5090.60. There you have it the level of the lake so far has only risen two feet.

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History

Shirley’s

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Shirley's, Hall Street, Susanville. Courtesy of Hank Martinez
Shirley’s, Hall Street, Susanville. Courtesy of Hank Martinez

Shirley’s was a bar on the north end of Hall Street, the current site of the Juniper Apartments.  Established in the 1930s after the repeal of prohibition, by Jean “Shirley” Tilton, and its distance from town on a road heading to points northward was similar to the roadhouses between Susanville and Westwood. *

It was quite the interesting watering hole,  “Shirley”  a former nurse, was confined to a wheel chair, but remembered for her generosity. She was also a madam, and cabins behind her establishment took care of certain needs of her clientele. Then there was her friend, gay piano man, and member of Sacred Heart Church’s choir, that assisted her, until he committed suicide in 1938. When she died in 1954, Gene Garayoa and Steve Arainty transformed it into the Juniper Inn.

*Ash Street, was not in existence.

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News

Another Milestone

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Honey Lake Meat Market's 1906 parade entry featuring Leona Jackson and Mary Fern Long. It was taken at the corner of Union and Cottage Streets. The barn in the background was torn down and replaced with the St. Francis Hotel. Courtesy of Leona Byars
Honey Lake Meat Market’s 1906 parade entry featuring Leona Jackson and Mary Fern Long. It was taken at the corner of Union and Cottage Streets. The barn in the background was torn down and replaced with the St. Francis Hotel. Courtesy of Leona Byars

It was at this time a year ago I included the subscription feature. The site as you know is free, and no pay wall, or blocked material. However, I experience various costs, let alone the time to provide a daily post. So, first of all I appreciate those who support this effort, though less than 75 people are paid subscribers, yet over 10,000 people visit the site each month.

As an enticement for you to subscribe is one of the offering of tours to subscribers. We recently did a Saint Patrick’s Cemetery Tour and up next an Inspiration Point Tour. It should be noted, that those that either reside out of the area or cannot make it, still receive the text of the tour. In addition, paid subscribers receive priority on their request for future topics.

So I have some faith that there are those who have been enjoying the content for free, sign up at five dollars month to subscribe.  After all what better way to start you day with latest historical post.  Its all just a click away,  here. 

History

Pioneer Traits

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The Lassen County Library bookplate used several local iconic features representing the pioneer era.
The Lassen County Library bookplate used several local iconic features representing the pioneer era.

One subscriber inquired about the traits of the original argonauts who settled California. Back in the early 1970s, I worked with Eleanor Vandeburgh at the William H. Pratt Memorial Museum in Susanville. Eleanor commented that the weak in mind never contemplated to endure the hardship to travel west; those who were weak physically died along the way and only those of a strong mind and physical traits survived. It is an interesting concept. Eleanor, however, left out another factor. Continue reading Pioneer Traits →

News

April Preview

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Courtesy of Alyce Bangham
Courtesy of Alyce Bangham

A little bit of everything this month. Note the entry for April 8. Enjoy!

Red River: The Turbulent Years 4/1/16
Pioneer Traits 4/2/16
Another Milestone 4/3/16
Shirley’s 4/4/16
 Nataqua Defined, Sort Of 4/5/16
 Lassen High School Trivia 4/6/16
 Susanville’s First Golf Course 4/7/16
 A Surprise!!!! 4/8/16
 Antelope Station 4/9/16
 Harrison’s Traction Engine 4/10/16
 McKissick Ranch – Then and Now 4/11/16
 Paul Bunyan’s Pine Trademark 4/12/16
 Ravendale 4/13/16
 Lassen High Alumni 4/14/16
 Your Topic 4/15/16
 Sorsoli Hotel 4/16/16
 Diamond Mountain Mining 4/17/16
 Knights of Columbus 4/18/16
 Horse Lake 4/19/16
 Horne Ranch 4/20/16
Susanville’s Brashear Street 4/21/16
 Homer Lake 4/22/16
 Lassen County Reclamation Projects 4/23/16
 St. Francis Hotel Makeover 4/24/16
 Susanville Country Club Preview 4/25/16
 Peter Lassen’s Demise 4/26/16
 Of Brands & Blogs 4/27/16
Lassen Monument Movement 4/28/16
 Skedaddle Dam 4/29/16
May  Preview 4/30/16

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Exploring Lassen County's Past