Jurgen Jensen Family

July 15, 2015 Tim Purdy 1 Comment

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

July 14, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

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

July 13, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

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 →

History

Janesville Flour Mill

July 12, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

In the spring of 1882, Hiram Dakin and Hiram McCellan proprietors of the Milford Flour Mill began making plans to build a new mill. After all, the Milford one was constructed in 1861, and it had outlived its purpose.

The first order of business was where to build the new mill—Buntingville or Janesville. Buntingville was just beginning to flourish, it being a popular stop for travelers heading north to Modoc County. After careful consideration Janesville emerged as victor.

On June 8, 1882, construction of the three-story structure began on Main Street, a just a little north of the prominent large oak tree that still remains. When the mill was placed into operation in September, the residents knew it—at seven a.m. every morning the steam whistle blew. In 1886, J.K. Gehring purchased the enterprise known as Honey Lake Mills for $6,000. In 1918, Gehring closed the mill, he being 81 years old, and with the new Honey Lake mill in Susanville, no buyers were interested. In the early 1920s, the mill was dismantled and James H. McClelland purchased the lumber to use on his ranch.

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History

Black Rock Toll Road

July 10, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Black Rock Road — Stockton’s recorded map of his proposed toll road.

Three days after the Gold Run Road Company was organized, H.C. Stockton proposed a Honey Lake Black Rock Toll Road. His one page description of his road was quite vague to say the least. He proposed his new road starting at Wall Spring, and instead of following the old road and going around the base of the Granite Mountains, much like today’s road, he dreamed up some route over these rugged mountains. Like the Gold Run Road Company, after he had his claim recorded in Humboldt County, Nevada on March 2, 1866, nothing ever materialized.

Stockton is a colorful character of Lassen, and more on him in future posts.

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History

Steward House

July 9, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

In the spring of 1864 work began on Susanville’s most elaborate structure to date, Jospeh and Lydia Steward’s two-story hotel on the northwest corner of Main and Gay Streets. It was advertised as, “This new and elegantly furnished hotel stands first in the State for comfort and accommodation for the traveling public, every room being well ventilated and neatly furnished. Even though Steward owned the hotel for less than a year, he sold to Miller & Kingsley for $7,256, the name never change with subsequent ownership.

On Tuesday night, July 18, 1893, a fire broke out in the rear of the Steward House and within minutes the entire building was engulfed in flames. Within a half hour, with erratic winds fanned the fire and the whole block were ablaze. The fire jumped Main Street and now the south side of the business district was on fire. In the end, it worst fire in Susanville’s history, the town’s entire business district was destroyed.

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History

A Living Memorial

July 8, 2015 Tim Purdy 1 Comment

Lassen Co. Courthouse — Lassen County Courthouse, 1940. Courtesy of Betty Barry Deal

Today’s topic evolved from a trip to Susanville Supermarket last month. I thought I could manage a quick trip in and out and go on my merry way. Lo and behold, while trying to make my get away, I got lassoed. Anna Stewart who needed some information about Native American Veteran Thomas Tucker, that they want to feature in their newspaper ad, scheduled for July 7. I, of course, obliged.

Thomas Tucker was the first casualty from Susanville in World War I. Numerous records has him listed as the first Lassen County resident, but that distinction belongs to Westwood resident Clyde McKea who died almost two months earlier than Tucker. Continue reading A Living Memorial →

History

Susanville Reporter

July 7, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Looking north on Gay Street, Susanville, circa 1863. Courtesy of Gil Morrill

Last month I wrote about the area’s first newspaper, the Richmond Times. The next newspaper, also a handwritten one, the Susanville Reporter. This paper made its debut in February 1861, with Andrew Ramsey at the helm. When the second issue made its debut, the paper changed hands with Isaac Roop, as editor. As the Butte Record noted Roop penned some amusing article such as, “A Hint to Parents,” Something to be Remembered,” and Uncle Sam and his boys.” It would not be for another four years, when the first locally printed newspaper was published—The Sage Brush.

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History

Camp Bunyan

July 6, 2015 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

It many aspects it is one of Red River Lumber Company’s most unusual and significant logging camps. For the most part, Red River camps were given numbers and not names. It was by far the largest and many of its building were a permanent nature versus the portable. Continue reading Camp Bunyan →

History

Upper Smoke Creek

July 5, 2015 Tim Purdy 2 Comments

Okay, folks, I am playing hooky today after 126 straight days of postings. After all, it is Sunday of 4^th of July weekend.

For those adventurous folks Upper Smoke Creek is a fun, but out of the way destination. Not only is there Bruff’s “Hieroglyphic Canyon,” but the historic Shinn Ranch. Alas, all the times I have been out there, I never took a photograph or two, of the cottonwood grove. I am almost a little leery to head out that way, since the devastating Rush Fire of a couple years ago.

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