On a quarterly basis, I ask you the reader, if there is something you would like to learn more about or maybe its something you heard, but question its validity. So here is an opportunity to participate. I will do my best to answer any questions. It should be noted, it may take awhile for the answer to appear as a post. The primary reason, many of the daily posts are done nearly a month in advance. So by the time you read this I am already working on posts for the middle of February, or at least I should be. Whatever the case may be, I look forward to hearing from you. Of course, it should be noted that paid subscribers requests receive priority. In addition, you can always send a request at any time.
I have addressed this issue before, but there was an amusing editorial comment that appeared in the Lassen Advocate of December 23, 1914. One key background of information to make sense, in the fall of 1914, a Russian colony of immigrants of some fifty families had located on the eastern portion of the Madeline Plains.
Herewith: “It would seem that the ‘pesky jack-rabbit” is doing someone good in the world after all. The Russians in the northern part of this county are using the flesh for food, and caps are made of the fur. Recently a number of Reno sportsmen killed 518 rabbits and these were given to poor families in Reno for food.”
Fratneral organizations once social fabric of many communities, both large and small have been waning. In Susanville, it came as shock to many residents that iconic Elks Lodge that has graced the west end of Susanville will be up for sale. A dwindling membership, maintenance costs among other things is cited for cause.
Elks Lodge, Susanville, 1952
Way before the Elks organization, initial property ownership of this prime property is rather vague. It also happens, record wise, the earliest land transaction of Chinese in Lassen County. On September 14, 1864 Chew Henry sold this lot in Susanville to fellow countryman Hoa for $266. How Chew Henry acquired it, is not known. Ditto, how Hoa disposed it.. In November 1865, Shong Lee sold it to Isaac Roop for $150. Eventually, Sarah Hosselkus bought the property. On March 22, 1884 she sold the lot J.G. Leonard for $450. Leonard in turn commissioned the structure that we know of Elks Lodge today.
For those stuck in the winter doldrums I have a nagging question on my mind. When was the laat NCO train to depart from Wendel? In 1925, the Southern Pacific acquired the NCO. In July 1927 that company began the standard gauging the NCO at Wendel.
It should be noted that in the summer of 1917 the NCO sold its southern portion of its line, a 64 mile segment, from Rayl (Herlong) to Reno. On January 30, 1918, the last NCO train to depart from Reno occurred. In 1922, the NCO was granted to abandon sixteen miles between Rayl now known as Hackstaff to Wendel. The last train on that segment happened on October 31, 1922. Why were these two events well documented, but not Wendel?
Pioneer Barber Shop, 1903. Sam Dotson, barber standing, seated in the chair is George Armstrong. Others left to right Harry Williams owner of the Pioneer, Jake Cohn, Dr. William E.Dozier, Fred Kingsbury and Frank Lane, bartender at the Pioneer—Joe Moelter
Times do change. Take the old fashion men’s barbershop of yesteryear. Today, in Susanville this type of institution no longer exists, the last one being Fred’s Barbershop in 2017(?). It is interesting to note, that these barbershops were located near a saloon. Maybe that was coincidental, since there were lots of bars back then, and locally they, too, have gone by the wayside.
The Peconom family is one of the better known Maidu families. If you noticed that I highlighted the name in bold, there is a reason. The family name has been misspelled for years with a um instead of the proper om. Of course, the name spelling was brought to light, during the proposed name change of the first branch of Willard Creek to Roxie Peconum Creek to commemorate Roxie Yoanna Peconum (1851-1958), well-known member of the Maidu tribe, who gathered roots and berries in the region. However, some thought the name should be for the Peconom family, and not an individual family member. If it was to be the latter, the name should be Yoanna Creek for Roxie. Whatever the case may be, on February 11, 1993 U.S. Board of Geographic Names approved the name change to Roxie Peconum Creek.
Prattville, for those who just tuned in was town in Plumas County, in what is now Lake Almanot. In 1914, the last remnants of it was wiped out in preparation to flood Big Meadows to create Lake Almanor.
In the early 1900s, deed restrictions were common practice . Common restrictions would prohibit the sale property based ethnicity, such Chinese and /or consumption/manufacture alcohol. On June 11, 1875 David Boyer purchased a lot in Prattville from the Pratt family. The deed stated: “to have and to hold the same one as it is used for mercantile or mechanical business or for dwelling house or lawful or legitimate purpose, except hotel, restaurant, boarding house of house of ill fame.” Since the Pratt family operated a hotel there, this would eliminate competition. Boyer would operate a saloon. By the end of year, Boyer sold out and moved to Susanville.
Typically, the largest snowstorms in this region occur in the month of January. It was January 1914 that proved to be a record breaker with 93 inches of snowfall that month. It also happen to be a rainy month with 9 inches of rain. In all, the total precipitation for the month was 18.17 inches.
The weather conditions was problematic for the completion of the Fernley & Lassen Railroad to Westwood. Due to the weather whiplash of rain and snow, the soil became saturated and prone mud slides in the Susan River Canyon. Railroad officials, of course, had a lot to worry about, as the construction with the Red River Lumber Company had a completion date to Westwood by. March 1.
In a related railroad matter was the NCO train delays due to frequent wash outs of the track. The US Postal Service had a contact with the NCO to deliver mail originating from the East. Since the NCO had a poor delivery record of the mail, the Postal Service by mid-February ordered all mail would be re-routed via the Fernley & Lassen. Many residents of the Honey Lake Valley rejoiced after this announcement, as regular mail delivery would be six days week.
Tim
P.S. – It should noted the other spectrum, there would be dry Januarys in which no snowfall occurred that month. I do know from records searched those rare years occurred in 1893 and 1912. The latter was so mild that baseball games were routinely held.
In 1929, Fruit Growers Supply Company consolidated all of its logging camps into one larger camp, known as Camp 10. It was located thirty-eight miles northwest of Susanville near the bank of Pine Creek. Ten years later, Fruit Growers considered leaving Camp 10 to establish Camp 11 on the east end of Champs Flat, about ten miles northeast. In the spring of 1940 that plan was put on hold.
In the early 1940s, Fruit Growers was awaiting a very important government decision on the Wage and Hour Law–whether or not an employee would be paid for travel time to the actual work site. Travel time between Camp 10 and the logging site was 1 to 1 1/2 hours each day. If the government mandated paid travel time, Camp 11 would be established, but not necessarily at Champs Flat. It would not be until 1948 when the government ruled that employees were not entitled to paid travel time, and the need for a new logging camp disappeared.
Yesterday, we explored the history of the Spalding Drug Company. When Spalding Drug closed it went through various ownerships and occupants. Looks can be deceiving, yet the building straddles separate property lots. Long time residents will recall that the former Spalding Drug was replaced with The Bootery. On east side, the smaller parcel was occupied by The Smart Shop.
Anyhow, its hard to believe how time quickly marches on. It was on this date, twenty years ago, that this building was destroyed by fire. It could have devastating for me. I had moved out of the second floor of the building only seven months before the fire. My photographic archives were stored there.
Today, it still remains a vacant lot. There have been proposals, even at least to turn it green space, but as I understand it, the property owners are unwilling to sale.
