No doubt exciting times were on the horizon. The Lassen Lumber & Box Company was in full operation. Fruit Growers Supply Company’s mill was under construction. When completed Fruit Growers would employ some 1,500 people. Many of Fruit Growers new hires would be bringing their families, so the area was about to witness a huge population explosion. A lot of growing pains to contend with.

The City of Susanville continued with its progressive plan to continue to make improvements for the betterment of the community. The City Council held many special meetings to figure out a way to pave the streets, put in gutters and sidewalks. The paving of Main Street was a number one priority. The street was costly to maintain, especially on the city’s meager budget. A bond measure was out of the question at this time. The city deemed  a special tax assessment to be levied over a period of years as the best method to proceed. On October 22,1920 the city awarded a contract to pave Main Street and build sidewalks to the Warren Construction Company for $191,256.20.

Support

In 1922, Susanville’s  Milwood Tract subdivision was created. There was one street that was somewhat of an after thought and evolved over the years—River Street. Even before Milwood Tract and that of River Street it was the location of Riverside Hospital and Fruit Growers Supply Company’s Resident Manager’s residence. River Street, initially began from Main Street, headed one block south, then made a hard right and at the intersection of South Fairfield merged with Riverside Drive. Later it was modified at the initial one block starting point became South Gilman Street. River Street at that intersection then extended west to McDow Street. It would even later be extended again to connect with South Ash Street.

Tim

For the remainder of the month of August, I have selected a random bunch of photographs for the Tuesday Tidbit feature.. The house at 160 North Pine Street, Susanville is situated at the intersection of Pine and North Streets. It is so situated that the view from the house looks directly down North Street.  It was the original home of George B. Long and in the 1990s it was still owned by descendants.  Of course, something that is a century old does experience modification.  While that is the case with this residence, it still retains its original integrity.

Tim

Before the City of Susanville was incorporated, it went through its own evolution. First as a trading post, then a village. There were some citizens that were not pleased that the Lassen County Board of Supervisors dictated what the town could or could not do. Fire protection was a major concern, especially after the 1882 fire that destroyed a large portion of the town’s business district. The citizens wanted to form a fire protection district.  To do so, an actual township needed to be created with a set of boundaries and a population count. With proposed boundary set, Susanville’s first special census was enacted. On April 8, 1884 a census was held and revealed there were 586 inhabitants. Thus, the foundation was laid for what eventually would become the incorporated town of Susanville in 1900.

Tim