Wendel has a rich history of names and has had more designations than any other location in the county. It has been known as, (the names are presented in chronological order): Upper Hot Springs, Schaeffer Hot Springs, Smithon, Boyd, Hot Springs Station, Purser, Antola and Caloreta. Continue reading Wendel
Some people may and others may not know the name of this reservoir, which as rule goes dry by the end of summer. After all, it is an intermittent stream as its source of water. In 1902, Mary Jane Hall claimed rights to the stream, that is since known as Barry Creek, and had a small reservoir constructed at the site of the current one. In 1909, Mardis Barry purchased the property from Hall. The enlarged reservoir was constructed in the fall of 1940. It was the first such project of its kind in Lassen County that was constructed with funding from the United States Farm Security Administration.
For over a century a barbershop went hand-in-hand with the Pioneer Saloon. Times change, the old fashioned barbershop is bordering upon extinction.
In Susanville, there is still Fred’s Barbershop at 20 North Lassen Street. It is a place that I not only patronize, but also stopped by from time to time to discuss the weather and any other topic that suits our fancy. Fred Borghi, has been doing business there since October 1958, a local institution.
Company towns as a rule were a drab affair and Westwood was of no exception. After all paint cost money, and it was not a necessary expense.
In the 1930s, the Red River Lumber Company was in a major financial crisis. When 1940 arrived, and not a moment to soon, discussion of modernization of the lumber plant was in earnest. It was not only their plans to make substantial upgrades to the plant, but the town, too. These improvements were necessary if they wanted to sell its operation, though not all family members of Red River’s Board of Directors were in agreement. However, the majority wanted to sell Westwood and get out from under it, so they were willing to figure out to make the improvements under the financial duress they were under.
The unpainted residential district did not help matters in making the place look nice for prospective buyers. It needed sprucing up. One item discussed was to paint the houses. Clinton Walker, a family board member, was against the proposal unless the rents were raised to cover the costs.
While, the concept was shot down, it was also discussed to sale the houses and lots to employees for cash, the value would be the equivalent of four years rent. There would be one deed restriction, that the houses could only be used for residential purposes. Should someone attempt a business in a home the company would have the right to repossess it.
This is an interesting stream which has a small drainage area of 32.1 square miles. In times of very wet years, it can be a raging to torrent. There were several proposals to dam the creek, which will be explored in a future column.
In 1994, the abandoned Skedaddle dam found a new use. It was used as tee-off for an unusual golf tournament. The one-hole course ended at Chalk Bluffs. This is one those tales, that needs no further details, but a good time was had by all.
Built in 1877, the second story was used as a hall for the Independent Order of Good Templars. In 1935, Francis Wilbur, a local carpenter, was hired to remove the second story from the school. In 1971, the school closed and annexed to Janesville. In 1975, the Janesville District declared the Lake School as surplus property and it was deeded to George and Jane Bailey. The schoolhouse has since been converted into a private residence.
Just an update that most everything is in the works. Those who have expressed an interest will be receiving later today a message with all the important details, i.e. date and time. All paid subscribers will receive a copy of the narrative.
So this is also to serve as a last chance reminder for those who might have forgotten to sign up. It should be noted the tour is limited to 25, anything larger than that makes it difficult to move people around. Make sure to contact me for reservations. If you are not a paid subscriber there is a $5 fee. You can read more about the tour here.
The reason for the photograph above, is that it ties in with the tour. In 1872, Jeremiah Wood’s son opened a butcher shop in Susanville and his descendants, six generations later, are still engaged in the meat and ranching business.
Note: If demand warrants, a second tour can be arranged.
One astute subscriber wanted to know more about Mr. Davis. Hardly, a household name around these parts, but he made major contribution to the early history of Lassen and Modoc Counties. After receiving his teaching degree in 1938, his first job was Bieber High School. He boarded with the Jack family and was fascinated by their and others accounts of the history. After all, Davis graduated from Fresno with a degree in history. During his short stay in Bieber he penned articles about the history of the region in the Big Valley Gazette, which would be the foundation for his thesis. It was published in 1974, but covered the early history of both Lassen and Modoc.
Davis would later have a long career with the California State Archives. I first met him back in the late 1970s, when he appeared in the Lassen County Clerk’s Office. The county archives stored in metal canisters, and in one instance, he pulled one out which gashed his forehead. Not an event he wanted to be remembered for, but we laughed about the incident for many years.
His research was meticulous. When he released paper that Susan River was not named for the town’s founder, but another Susan prior to Roop’s arrival—the Defenders of Roop—our version of a wackodoodle militia group similar to the recent Bundy Malheur Refuge group, were not pleased with Davis. Blasphemy they thought.
In 1913, with the construction of the town and Westwood, along with the railroad construction crew rapidly approaching to Susanville, the camp followers of the day were not far behind. Out of this delegation were those sometimes referred to as the “ladies of the night.” Continue reading Susanville Bordello’s – Part II
In the annals of Susanville’s history, it has witnessed a wide variety of fraternal and social organizations. One of the more unusual and short-lived was the Loafer’s Society.
Organized in 1878, the Society recruited men to sacrifice themselves for the good of the community, to consumer all the intoxicating beverages, so as to prevent others from falling prey to demon rum and other concoctions. They also distributed themselves about the entrances of churches and other public gatherings to provide examples to the young not to follow in their foot steps.
The Loafer’s Society only membership requirements were for men of good immoral character, an easy flow of profane and vulgar language and a large capacity for whiskey. They also, only met on Sundays.