News

Having fun exploring Lassen’s Past?

October 4, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Goggle sign — When traveling the back country around these parts. Google maps and GPS not the best move. Use some common sense. Though it should be noted that AAA maps indicated Shinn Ranch Road was maintained. May be it was back in the 1870s when the Shinns lived there.

If the above photograph seems familiar, it is. It was part of the September 1 post, that I had composed mentally, but never made it for the reader, since hip matter had me out of commission.

That particular date ushered in a small milestone that marked six months of daily posts. We have covered a lot of territory in that short time span, with so much more to come. These posts, it should be noted are picked up by various search engines, and certainly makes the material widely available to anyone with access to the internet. Results from Google searches indicates that someone from the Czech Republic researched the 1-0-1 Nite Club; in Japan it was Spoonville; Brazil the Bank of Lassen County; United Kingdom the Milford Flour Mill and in Jordan the Susanville Methodist Church. Yet, the two most popular posts were That Old Barn and Eagle Lake Ice Caves.

When I launched this site, I had no idea how it would be received. Over 5,000 people visit it each month, though some may think it is a low number, personally I think it is a good start. On the other hand, there are just less than 50 people who make a nominal financial contribution by subscribing, that help with the costs. However, it should be noted that the paid subscribers are also well taken care of with historic tours and hard to find papers. After all, you do not want to miss the upcoming Halloween Tour, and once I am able do the Inspiration Point walking tour.

History

Lassen County Deer Hunting

October 3, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Once upon a time, a person was not confined to deer hunting in a particular zone. By the 1940s with significant improvements to highways and automobiles opened a lot of territory to hunters, once the domain of locals.

The Fruit Growers Supply Company operated lumber mills in Hilt, Susanville and Westwood. While researching its history, I always came across some interesting material. Fruit Growers’ Annual Reports are a wealth of information. Before you think I am losing my sanity writing first about deer hunting and then lumber mills, there is a common thread.

The following is a most interesting excerpt from Fruit Growers’ 1946 Annual Report:

“Much of the country in which Company timber is located is considered to have good deer hunting, and the deer season opens at a time when the woods are in the driest conditions and when the fire hazard is the greatest. The handling of the large influx of people into the general Northern California area during the deer hunting season constitutes a very serious problems to all owners and agencies interested in timberlands. In 1946, hunters and their parties were registered as they entered Lassen County area, and during one week’s time, close to 5,000 automobiles and 13,000 individuals registered as potential deer hunters. Thus more hunters were checked into Lassen County than its normal population. Despite this, the Company was fortunate in its 1946 experience with forest fires.”

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History, News

Eagle Lake’s Historic Low

October 2, 2015 Tim Purdy 1 Comment

Yesterday, I attended the Eagle Lake Interagency Board meeting at Spaulding Tract. (It was my first public appearance since being home recovering from my broken hip, though I had to explain why I was using a walker.) Of course, one of the topics on agenda was the lake level, which is now at its all time record low of 5090.6 feet, just barely breaking its 1935 record. Whether or not the lake will recede even lower in the month of October is anyone’s best guess. While cooler temperatures will assist in the reduction of evaporation, the big factor will be whether any substantial precipitation will occur this month.

There were, of course, some lively discussions throughout the meeting. The eradication of brook trout from upper Pine Creek was news to me. I was later informed it has been issue for several years in certain circles. There was an item that was overlooked on the agenda, and I would have brought it up to the chairman, but I just did not have in me, due to the discomfort I experienced sitting, and needed to make a departure. The agenda item 2c – Update on new Stones lake level benchmark. However, I have a Lassen County Planning Commission on Wednesday, October 7, so I will ask then.

Hope with bringing you this information, it might just give you a tiny incentive to part with five dollars a month, to keep things afloat.

History

McClelland Ranch

October 1, 2015 Tim Purdy 1 Comment

Byers' Store — Byers’ old Baxter Creek general store that was later moved his Tule ranch and operated by his nephew, Jim McClelland,. Photograph taken May 1975, on one of my many visits to see Esther McClelland.

Since there were some requests for information about the McClelland Ranch, I will provide some of its earliest history. It should be noted that the McClelland Ranch is one of many that will featured in my forthcoming book about stories behind the brands on the wall at the Pioneer.

In the summer of 1857, two brothers, Abijah and Charles Adams settled on what would become the McClelland Ranch. In answer to one question posed in June of 1859, George Lathrop and Thomas Harvey located on land that would later become the Mapes Ranch. In that same year, another Adams brother, Horace arrived on the scene to take up residence there.

The story of Horace Adams is tragic one, for on June 18, when Horace Adams was stepping out of the cabin he was killed by Big Jim, a Paiute. To have better understanding about the tense situation then, read my Willow Creek Valley book, though out of print, it is available at many libraries.

In 1868, the Adams Brothers sold their ranch to James R. Withington for $2,000. In 1872, Withington sold the ranch, which then consisted of 955 acres to James D. Byers for $2.700. In addition, Byers purchased three adjoining homesteads. Byers, a bachelor, made his home with his nephew’s family, William McClelland. Upon his death in 1902, he left the ranch to the McClellands.

For five dollars a month by subscribing you can receive a daily email on that day’s topic, and in doing so, help preserve a bit of history.

History

October Preview

September 30, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Here is the line up for daily posts. Of course, unique events and/or interesting stories that may arise in the interim, may alter the schedule.

McClelland Ranch	10/1/15
Secret Valley Paiutes	10/2/15
Lassen County Deer Hunting	10/3/15
Susanville Coca Cola Plant	10/4/15
Susan River, 1981	10/5/15
You, the reader	10/6/15
Bert Rodman	10/7/15
Tule Confederacy	10/8/15
Amedee	10/9/15
Building Westwood	10/10/15
Susanville – 30 S. Roop St.	10/11/15
Susanville Bordellos	10/12/15
Soldier Bridge School Early Years	10/13/15
Your Topic	10/14/15
Richmond Road Bridge	10/15/15
Susanville – Quonset Huts	10/16/15
R.J. Scott	10/17/15
Knoch Building Early Years	10/18/15
2016 Lassen High Alumni Calendars	10/19/15
Liegan	10/20/15
Queen Lena I – Update	10/21/15
Amedee School	10/22/15
Susanville – 200 S. Roop St.	10/23/15
Halloween Tour – Update	10/24/15
Grand Café	10/25/15
Russian Thistle	10/26/15
Prattville Road	10/27/15
Pacific Coast Bear Club	10/28/15
Swamp Angel	10/29/15
Freak Party	10/30/15
Forthcoming Posts	10/31/15

History

Susanville – Bank of America

September 29, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

It is always amazing how fast time marches on. It was back in April 1978, when Bank of America announced plans to build a new bank on the corner of Main & Gay Streets for $500,000. This was to replace the existing bank on Main Street that had only been built seven years earlier at a cost of $413,000. It was the latter building when it was constructed that got the community in an uproar, as Bank of America torn the original two-story landmark bank on the corner of Main and Gay Streets for a parking lot.

BofA columns — Final demolition of the original Bank of America, to make way for a parking lot.

Note: This article originally appeared on April 19, 2015. I am selecting some early posts, to fill in while I am on the road to recovery. For five dollars by subscribing, you can receive a daily email on that day’s topic, and in doing so, help preserve a bit of history.

News

Halloween Tour

September 28, 2015 Tim Purdy 2 Comments

According to one person, Belfast, was going to be a city paved in gold. That prediction was made in 1881.

While it is nearly a month away, mark your calendar for a brief, but exhilarating early afternoon tour to get you into the spirit of things.

You will be introduced to some of Lassen’s eccentric permanent residents. Of course, one has to pay a pilgrimage to the one and only “Count” who died in 1662. That is not a typo and the marker was placed by unknown parties back in the 1930s.

Stay tuned for the details.

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History, News

Susanville – 607 Cottage Street

September 27, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

The house was originally located at 601 Cottage Street. In 1939, it was moved to 607 to make way for a parking lot, for the new Safeway Store. Dr. J.R. Packwood later remodeled it, adding a second story. Courtesy of JoAnn Uptegrove

Today, at 8:15 a.m. marks six weeks since I underwent surgery for my broken hip. I arrived home one day last week, though I need the aid of a walker to get around, among other things. Slowly, but surely progress is being made. I have been assured that I should be able to attend the Lassen County Planning Commission meeting on October 7, followed by the Lassen College Board a week later. As I write this, though, that seems likes an eon away, having yet to be able to venture down the stairs and to the outside world.

While I was in rehab, I did make the best of my idle time when I was not in occupation and/or physical therapy sessions. One major accomplishment was the drafting of the Inspiration Point Tour presentation. When I will be able to do this walking tour, unfortunately, at this time I do not know. It may be a small practice run in November, and then a regular tour next spring. Too many unknowns, as not just with my walking ability, but weather and other factors to be considered.

607 Cottage Street as it appeared in the winter of 2005. One portion of me, hopes a heavy winter appears, and another somewhat terrified with the prospect of snow and ice, mainly the latter, as I don't want to have another disastrous fall. — 607 Cottage Street as it appeared in the winter of 2005. One portion of me, hopes a heavy winter appears, and another somewhat terrified with the prospect of snow and ice, mainly the latter, as I don’t want to have another disastrous fall.

Finally, and most importantly, I want to say a very big thank you to everyone, who lent a helping hand during this most interesting episode of my life.

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History

Cedarville, 1879

September 25, 2015 Tim Purdy 3 Comments

In my very first post about Adin, it initially starts out concerning the works of photographer Herman Brince. After leaving Adin, Brince toured Modoc County and provides us with a glimpse of what Cedarville looked like then.

Cedarville’s humble beginnings began in the fall of 1865 when James Townsend built a cabin and commenced operations of a general store. His tenure was brief, for a year later in pursuit of some stolen livestock he was killed in a skirmish with the Indians. The following summer (1867), two enterprising entrepreneurs, John H. Bonner and William T. Cressler established a store there to become very successful businessmen there. They eventually bought Townsend’s cabin for their store. They went one step further and plotted out a town they named Cedarville after Bonner’s home town in Ohio.

Note: This article originally appeared on March 13. I am selecting some early posts, to fill in while I am on the road to recovery. For five dollars by, you can receive a daily email on that day’s topic, and in doing so, help preserve a bit of history.

History

Queen Lena, I

September 24, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

On September 24, 1902, Miss Lena Long won a lively contest to be crowned Queen, which was part of the festivities of the first Lassen County Fair to be held in ten years.

Since I am writing this from a remote location, I do not have access to my files, a more detailed post is in the future. Just stay tuned and thanks for your patience.

For five dollars a month by subscribing, you can receive a daily email on that day’s topic, and in doing so, help preserve a bit of history.