History

Willow Creek School

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Willow Creek School 1886
Willow Creek School 1886–Alice Fritter Pendergrass

In the spring of 1871, the residents of Willow Creek Valley constructed and operated a private school at the west end of the valley near the Murrer Ranch. Miss Fanny Lovell was employed to teach the first classes. In June 1871, residents petitioned the Lassen County Board of Supervisors for the formation of a school district and that was granted. It was not until 1877, when John Dobler donated the land that the school was built on, with a stipulation that the property would revert back to him or his heirs when it was no longer used for a school. Continue reading Willow Creek School →

History, News

Potter’s Maternity Plaque

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Potter's Maternity Home
Pottter’s Maternity Home

As many may be aware, Rite Aid plans a 17,400 square foot building on the 1600 block of Susanville. All the buildings on that block are scheduled to a be demolished. I do not have any problem with this, in fact I am favor of the project. My only concern is the bronze plaque at the bank be saved and incorporated in the new enterprise. Anyone who is concerned needs to contact Craig Sanders at the City of Susanville to express your concern. The details of the project can be found here.

 

 

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Breaking News

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Riverside Hospital
Riverside Hospital, Susanville, where I was born. More about this facility in a future post.

I had an accident yesterday, that has left me a bit incapacitated. This morning, it required a trip to the hospital via an ambulance—my first such ride and hopefully the last. The final result, a damaged knee, nothing broken, very sore and some bruised ribs, which with  the aid of a  knee brace and  a walker, I can at least get around at home, but not venturing anywhere else. There should not be any interruption with the daily posts, as they were done in advance, they are scheduled to appear in their designation dates.

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Brand Project Update

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Tanner Ranch Brand
Tanner Ranch Brand, 1887. In 1927, Lola Murrer married Honey Lake Valley native, John Tanner. John’s father, William, had settled at Soldier Bridge in 1870 and later that decade registered his brand as the 20. That brand would be modified to the 30.

The project is moving slowly, but surely. I am still seeking information on the following. If you can provide any information contact me at tim@tipurdy.org. Thanks. Continue reading Brand Project Update →

History

Roop’s Sawmill

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Roop's Mill
Roop’s mill taken in the early 1860s

In the spring of 1857, Ephraim Roop, Isaac Roop, and William McNaull constructed the first sawmill in Lassen County, along the Susan River at a place that would later become known as Hobo Camp. In November 1860, Perry Craig fell out of a boat at the millpond and drowned. Craig was buried on top of the hillside near the river, and from that episode the Susanville Cemetery was created. On August 18, 1862, Roop & Company sold the mill to Luther Spencer for $200. Spencer operated the mill until it was destroyed by fire in the spring of 1868.

History

Mining

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Hayden Hill 1894
Hayden Hill, 1894

Besides exploring logging and ranching, from time to time, Lassen has an interesting mining history. Unlike our neighbors to the west, where mining had a major influence on their development, that was not necessarily case in Lassen. However, it was a mining excitement of 1856 along Diamond Mountain that brought the first wave of settlers to the Honey Lake Valley. Many of those gold seekers soon gave up mining and developed other interests in the region. However, the Diamond Mountain Mining District remained active until 1942, when President Roosevelt’s Executive Order curtailed gold mining. The other hot spot for mining was Hayden Hill, 55 miles north of Susanville. It gained in prominence in 1870 and would go through many boom and bust cycles.

 

History

Carlton Goodrich

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Goodrich Barn
The old Goodrich barn as it appeared in the 1920s

In 1861, Carlton Goodrich settled at Mountain Meadows and would become one of the largest property owners there, as his ranch totaled over 7,000 acres. He located his ranch house just west where the highway crosses Goodrich Creek, approximately across from where the old chimney stands. It became known as Mountain House and was a popular stop for weary travelers. In April 1875, Sylvester Daniels paid Goodrich a visit while touring the region and wrote, “I love these mountain folks. No aristocracy among them.” When Goodrich died in 1886, due to estate issues and the subsequent sale to John Crouch, the popular establishment closed. When the Red River Lumber Company established its Westwood operation, they transformed the old Goodrich ranch into a dairy.

 

News

Lake School

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Lake School
Lake School, 1886

One of the original six school districts established in 1864. In 1877, the District constructed a two-story schoolhouse with the assistance of the Independent Order of Good Templars. The second story was used as a hall for that organization. In 1934 the second story was removed as part of a WPA project. Francis Wilbur, a local carpenter was hired to do the work at a cost of $1,740.

In 1953, a ballot referendum was held to consolidate the Janesville, Lake, and Missouri Bend schools. The Lake District voters opposed it. 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.

Exploring Lassen County's Past