Eagle Lake Biological Field Station

November 4, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

At the October 2015 meeting of the Eagle Lake Interagency Board, the Bureau of Land Management reported that Chico State University was exploring avenues to close down the facility. At that time, the Bureau of Land Management reported that they would be willing to take back the property they donated to the University back in 1964. However, they stated in order to do so, the University would have to remove all improvements, i.e, buildings etc. At the moment, from my limited knowledge on the topic, it appears everything is at a standstill, as the University does not want to be burden with the costs of removal. It also appears the Bureau of Land Management is being a difficult, not allowing another institution to intervene.

The field station was the creation of biology instructor Doctor Vesta Holt. The first classes were taught at Spaulding Tract in 1945. In the early 1950s, with increased enrollment studies were moved to the south shore at the Eagle Lake Resort. After the Merrill Flat Fire of 1955, operations were moved to Susanville and Westwood and until a new home could be located. It was not until 1964, when a new home was located just north of the abandoned Bly Tunnel and in 1968 dedication ceremonies were held at the new facility.

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History

Constantia Established

November 3, 2015 Tim Purdy 1 Comment

The "White House" at Constantia, circa 1960 — The “White House” at Constantia, circa 1960

In 1898, Albert Ross sold his well known Long Valley Ranch to Henry Butters Constantia named. Henry Butters for $15,480. Ross sold the property at a loss. In 1884, he constructed a 17-room mansion there at a cost of $14,000, that many referred to as the White House.*

Butters, then, was the president of the Northern Electric Railroad. It was Butters who christened the place Constantia, named for a city in South Africa noted for its vineyards. Butters transformed the ranch into a small village—complete with a general store, Wells Fargo Office, dwellings for the employees and he had a Catholic Church constructed, St. Mary’s Chapel.[1]

*One of the Ross descendants is none other than famed astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

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History

Lassen County – Shinn Ranch

November 2, 2015 Tim Purdy 4 Comments

The Shinn Ranch in remote eastern Lassen County is not a place one just happens upon. It has been close to twenty years since I was last there with a film crew doing an episode of Off Road California. I have been curious as to what damage it sustained in the 2013 Rush Fire.

It was in 1870, when fifty-year old Oliver Shinn located there with his family of five children from Baker, Oregon. He remained there until his sudden death in 1883. According to his obituary, “Mr. Shinn was awakened from a sound sleep at about 10 o’clock Thursday night by coughing and upon getting out of bed, dropped dead on the floor. It seems that he troubled an aneurism of the pulmonary artery and in his efforts to clear his throat this was ruptured, causing instant death.” The following year, his widow, Louisa Shinn sold the 640-acre ranch to George D. Winters for at that time a substantial sum of $6,000. The Winters family had extensive holdings, which included the nearby Smoke Creek Ranch.

One of the interesting features found there was a grove of cottonwood trees that encompassed some fifteen acres. The trees were planted by Winters in 1889 in order to increase his property holdings there. On April 3, 1893, Winters was issued a 160-acre land patent that he filed under a section of the Timber Culture Act “to encourage growth of timber on the Western Prairie.”

While Oliver and Louisa Shinn kept a low profile, their children did not. More about that in the near future.

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News

The Gift of Lassen County History

November 1, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Not sure what to give that special someone, but want to keep the budget balanced too? Why not a gift membership to tipurdy.org. At five dollars a month it is a bargain. You can decided whether for a month, quarter or even splurge for a year.

The recipient not only receives a daily email notification of the latest topic, but is entitled to hard to find papers on the Eagle Lake Ice Caves, too. On top of that they can partake in members only tours varying from a summer solstice observance at an ancient solar observatory to a light hearted Halloween Tour. Even if that person on your list is not local, they still receive materials associated with the tours.

Information on subscriptions is found right here. Have a question drop me a line at tim@tipurdy.org.

History

November Preview

October 31, 2015 Tim Purdy 2 Comments

Lassen County High School Basketball Team, 1914

This time around the posts for this month should appear as scheduled, since I do not have as many challenges getting around as I did in September and October.

The Gift of Local History	11/1/15
Shinn Ranch	11/2/15
Constantia Established	11/3/15
Eagle Lake Biological Field Station	11/4/15
Bieber	11/5/15
Going Places	11/6/15
Knoch Building – The Fire	11/7/15
Susanville – 200 S. Roop St.	11/8/15
Amedee	11/9/15
Desert Homesteaders	11/10/15
Bassett Hot Springs	11/11/15
Susanville Ranch Park, Part I	11/12/15
Susanville Ranch Park, Part II	11/13/15
Johnstonville	11/14/15
Sacco-Sergi Wedding	11/15/15
Soldier Bridge School Conclusion	11/16/15
Mark Haviland	11/17/15
Riverside Hospital	11/18/15
Something Special	11/19/15
Lassen County Cornish	11/20/15
The Other Susanville	11/21/15
Champs Flat	11/22/15
R.J. Scott	11/23/15
Hilt, California	11/24/15
Amedee School	11/25/15
Folsom Ranch Thanksgiving	11/26/15
Susanville Bordellos	11/27/15
High Rock Ranch	11/28/15
Grand Café	11/29/15
December Preview	11/30/15

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History

Freak Parties!

October 30, 2015 Tim Purdy 1 Comment

This 1931 gathering was held at the home of Blanche & Ike Knoch, frequent hosts of such events. Courtesy of Hank Martinez — This 1931 gathering was held at the home of Blanche & Ike Knoch, frequent hosts of such events. Be sure to click on the photograph for a larger image. Courtesy of Hank Martinez

Back in the 1920s and 1930s certain segments of Susanville’s Society entertained in a variety of formats. While there were numerous card groups to pass the time, others craved something a bit more exciting. These, of course, were costume parties and the themes as varied as the host/hostess.

It is interesting to note that these “freak parties,” as they were called, were quite popular during prohibition and less so afterwards. Whether alcohol refreshments were served, is anyone’s guess, but Susanville residents enjoyed their libations during prohibition.

In any event, maybe there is some creative type who might like to host a freak party in the near future. If you do, be sure to send me an invite. It certainly appears to be enjoyable way to spend an evening versus other entertainment venues available.

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History

Built When?

October 29, 2015 Tim Purdy 2 Comments

The J.A. Gilman Residence at 1913 Main Street was built in 1898. Today it is the office of Town & Country Real Estate.

Awhile back, when browsing through the Lassen County Times I noticed a local realtor’s display ad that stated the original First Baptist Church located on the corner of Nevada and South Gay Street was built in 1940. This ad appeared again in the October 27 issue, and now provides the correct date of construction of 1913-14.

This got me interested in what other erroneous material realtors have in their listings. According to the online listings 1940 was a banner year for both commercial and residential construction. The listing for 506 Cottage Street, where the Carver family has resided for many decades the realtor states it was built in 1940. However, it was built in 1889 for A.E. DeForest. Further down Cottage at 705, the current home of Iron Horse Gym the realtor states it was built in 1965. For many a seasoned resident can clearly dispute that, as it was built in 1946 for Williams Furniture.

The list goes on and there are some real extreme ones out there. As the old saying goes, “buyer beware.”

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History

Westwood Junction

October 28, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

As its name implies it was a real junction. The railroad constructed a spur to the south to Westwood. The Southern Pacific’s real goal was to extend the line north to Klamath Falls, Oregon. It was after all, the Red River Lumber Company’s intent to build several mills, the next one scheduled for near Lookout. By 1917, the Southern Pacific was anxious to extend the line north, but Red River was not ready. The mammoth mill at Westwood was more than it could handle. In the meantime, the Southern Pacific was nervous that its competitor the Western Pacific might extend a branch to Westwood and siphon off traffic, since Southern Pacific’s five-year all inclusive freight deal with Red River was about to expire.

Then came along World War I and that changed everyone’s plan. When the war ended, the nation went into a severe recession, so expansion was off the table for many. Red River kept adding more divisions to its lumber manufacturing plant. In the meantime, the Southern Pacific focused on the troubled Nevada-California-Oregon Railroad, as an alternative route north of Oregon, which it eventually did.

The site, it should be noted, also served as a junction for the railroad logging operations of the Fruit Growers Supply Company and the Lassen Lumber & Box Company.

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History

Susanville Bordellos – The Early Years

October 27, 2015 Tim Purdy 1 Comment

Devil's Corral Bridge & Trestle, 1935. — Devil’s Corral Bridge & Trestle, 1935.

Just an update, and it is not my intent to do this as teaser! The text is ready, but I need to photograph two locations, one a grave and the other the oldest house of prostitution still standing. The latter is not where one would think. My ability to get around improves, and if all goes well this weekend, I will have an assistant to photograph the above, plus more, like the original location of Soldier’s Bridge, the 1860 military encampment.

The location of the above photograph has some significance to Susanville’s early brothel history for an event that occurred there in 1908. Stay tuned.

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History

Susanville’s Quonset Huts

October 26, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

World War II ushered in a new architectural style, that after the War was adopted by the civilian population.

The two most notables one was the old Naef Electric building in the 1800 block of Main Street. After it closed its doors circa 1977, it has been home to numerous enterprises. In the fall of 1978, it is where the Lassen County Times made its debut.

The other is Poulsen Welding Shop located on Richmond Road and Riverside Drive, and carries with it, an important historic significance.

In the 1930s, Bigelow and Poulsen operated a blacksmith shop at this location, in which Poulsen would take over the business and branching out into welding. On July 11, 1946 a fire destroyed Poulsen’s shop and provided the catalyst for city annexation. The City was unable to respond to the fire as the city limits stopped on the north side of the Susan River, while Poulsen’s was on the south side, and outside the City. Efforts over the years to annex areas to the east of Weatherlow and south of Susan River had failed. The Red River Lumber Company which owned the Milwood subdivision fought efforts for fear of property tax hikes. Residents of the outlying areas wanted services such as fire protection.

Thus, the movement for “unification” was born. On April 8, 1947 a special annexation was approved by the voters. Susanville’s Main Street now extended from Weatherlow to Fairfield Avenue. The City’s land mass quadrupled in size.