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Susanville's Antler's Club, 1923. The Antler's Club, was a sub-group until its members were granted a charter as the Elk's organization.
Susanville’s Antler’s Club, 1923. The Antler’s Club, was a sub-group until its members were granted a charter as the Elk’s organization.

I thought I would take this opportunity to inquire as to if anyone had a certain topic they would like to see in a future post.  There is no rhyme or reason as to what appears on a daily basis. Some are purely accidental by nature, while researching one topic, I come across information totally irrelevant from the search. A prime example was that of the Edsel Dealership. In essence that was the foundation for my original research. I started with Buster McKissick, which introduced me to the town of Amedee, that led to boating on Honey Lake. Thus, it is a never ending process, one item leads into the next.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy these daily postings. So drop me a line, if there is something you would like addressed.

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History

Lathrop City

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Mapes Ranch
Mapes Ranch, 1906. Courtesy of Madelyn Mapes Dahlstrom

Known today as the Mapes Ranch, located four miles east of Litchfield. In June 1859, George W. Lathrop and Thomas J. Harvey claimed 1,280 acres there. Located adjacent to the Susan River and the Nobles Emigrant Trail, it quickly developed into a station for travelers. On September 8, 1862, Lathrop sold this place to Uriah and James Shaffer for $4,250 and then the place was called either Lathrops or Shaffers Station. By 1863, it consisted of Shaffers station/trading post, Henry Lomas’ cabin and blacksmith shop, and a house belonging to Wilmans & Bass. At this same time, traffic along the emigrant trail increased dramatically as it was the shortest route to the mining discoveries in Idaho and Northwestern Nevada. With bright prospects, the residents plotted out a town and a name was needed. The place was best known as Lathrops. It was decided to name it Lathrop City. Henry Lomas, the “city’s” blacksmith recalled years later that the name was “Just too much for the town and it died a natural death.”

The Shaffer Brothers did not have much success, as by 1868 with decreased traffic with the transcontinental railroad and the nation’s economic depression they were forced into bankruptcy. Thomas French and Andrew Litch purchased the ranch for $2,500. The Shaffer’s lasting legacy is a mountain and a school that bears their name.

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History

New Standish

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Litchfield
A town is born, Litchfield. Courtesy of John M. Gibson

Even before the first rails were laid on the Fernley & Lassen Railroad, those along the right of way knew exactly where it would be located.  B.F. Gibson and his associate, Los Angeles promoter, B.F. Jackson had an initial plan for a new townsite, not too far from Standish. The new railroad was going through Gibson’s Ranch and its location in that part of the Honey Lake Valley made it a ideal place for a  combination townsite and railroad shipping point.

As Standish was less than three miles away, Gibson offered that community free lots for those willing to relocate, which he dubbed his enterprise, New Standish. However, his offer was not well received, so Gibson named is his new town, Litchfield, in honor of pioneer settler and his father-in-law, Andrew Litch.

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History

Hallelujah Junction

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H Junction
Hallelujah Junction

Since the 1850s, the region has always been referred to as a junction to Beckwourth Pass and the Sierra Valley. It has been told that emigrants in the 1850s, when they arrived at this spot, shouted “Hallelujah” whey they saw Beckwourth Pass—at 5228’ its the lowest pass over the Sierra. In 1932, Orville Stoy took up an 80-acre homestead there. Stoy built a gas station and it became a popular stop, known as Hallelujah Junction. In time, a bar, restaurant and motel were constructed. There was even the “Hallelujah International Airport” that consisted of a couple of airplane hangers and a runway that was an abandoned stretch of Highway 70. In 1973, the State of California purchased Hallelujah Junction. It was obliterated for the construction of the four-lane freeway from there to the Nevada State line. In 1991, a gas station and convenience store was built at the junction of Highway 395 and 70.

Hallelujah Junction
Hallelujah Junction

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History

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

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LDS Church
The Church was located on the corner of Main and North McDow.

In 1911, two missionaries, Elders Harry Janson and L.R. Halverson arrived in Susanville, though it appears their stay was brief. It was not until 1922, that the members of this church organized in Susanville. The initial families included those of Frederick Johnson, W.K. Davis, William Mortimer, Afton White, James C. White, John Heath and Peter F. Olsen.

Initial services were held in member’s homes. By 1924, their numbers had grown and they the hall in the Knoch Building for $2.50 a week. From there they moved to the Orpheum Theater and later to the OddFellows Hall.

On November 13, 1927, discussions were held to build a chapel. The site chosen was the northeast corner of Main and McDow Streets. On November 10, 1929, the church was dedicated by Heber J. Grant, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Thirty years later the members had outgrown the church. They selected a new site on Richmond Road. On November 5, 1961, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the $300,000 chapel.

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History

Jurgen Jensen Family

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Jensen Family
Jurgen Jensen family: Left to right: A.R. “Bert”, Delia, Effie and Jurgen, 1902. Courtesy of Abe Jensen

This being fair week, it is only fitting we salute the Jensen family. Two generations of Jensen’s had a major impact on the Lassen County Fair.

In the summer of 1922, A.R. “Bert” Jensen pushed the resurrection of a fair, the last one held was in 1902. Jensen recruited Russell Brownell, C.E. Lawson, L.E. DeForest and H.H. Ridells and formed the Lassen County Fair Association. Jensen offered the Association 20 acres of his ranch for a fairgrounds at a cost $2,750, though the group could pay him later—this is still the home of the Lassen County Fairgrounds. Continue reading Jurgen Jensen Family →

History

Smoke Creek Desert

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Smoke Creek Desert
Smoke Creek Desert looking towards Sheepshead, fall, 1977

Just across the border lies this most interesting desert. It is a favorite of mine, so rich in history. It received its name back in 1844 when John C. Fremont explored the region. His party noted the dust storms created on the playa there cast a smokey hue.

Fremont was not the only explorer to the desert, as he was followed by William H. Nobles who created a new emigrant road that traversed Smoke Creek—it was a direct route to the Northern California mines. In 1865, the military established Fort Bidwell in Surprise Valley. The military plotted an unusual supply route that went along the west side of the Smoke Creek Desert and then followed Smoke Creek in a haphazard manner to Surprise Valley. This route was far from ideal, which was replaced by route through Buffalo Meadows. Traffic would diminish significantly when in 1890 Fort Bidwell was closed.

In forthcoming posts we will explore some of its agricultural and mining history.

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History

Eagle Lake Bass

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EL Bass
Guy Talbott with his Eagle Lake bass catch, 1918

Between 1879 to 1956 there were officially twelve different exotic (non-native) species of fish planted in Eagle Lake. Yet, that figure could be higher since local anglers were known to have experimented with their own plantings.

Of all the varieties of species planted in the lake, only one truly flourished—the largemouth (black) bass. In 1901 the Lassen County Fish and Game Protective Association planted 147 bass in the lake that it had received from the California Fish & Game Commission. The following year additional bass were planted in the lake. To allow the bass to prosper the State Game Commission prohibited fishing of the bass for a period of four years. Continue reading Eagle Lake Bass →

Exploring Lassen County's Past