Susanville City Council’s Pay Day

July 27, 2024 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Flora Neuhaus, served as Mayor of Susanville, 1926-27–Phyllis Beard

For over three decades since the founding of the City of Susanville, the council members were true volunteers. Serving in such a position can be a thankless job at times. In 1936 it was the topic at hand. On April 14, 1936, voters not only were asked to vote for two new council members, but whether the city the council members should receive some form of minimal compensation for their time and effort. Of the 141 votes cast, it was approved to pay the council members with 82 yes; 53 against and 16 who declined to vote on the issue. The mayor would receive a sum of $30 a month and members of the council $20 a month.

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History

Champs Flat, Lassen County

July 26, 2024 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

This sagebrush flat located west of Spalding Tract was an active place back in day for summer grazing of livestock, mainly from Tehama County. In 1873, the Champlin Brothers: George (1827-1903) and Lester (1848-1907), Tehama County stockmen, incorporated this area for summer range for sheep. George Champlin, a ‘49er, was associated with Leland Stanford, aka Stanford University etc. Stanford’s attorney, Ariel Lathrop, who happened to be Stanford’s brother-in-law and partner, with a Vina, Tehama County ranch. In May-June 1899, Champlin and his partner, John Boggs, sold their Lassen County property to Jane Lathrop Stanford for $8,000, who immediately transferred the property to the Stanford University.

In July 1924 the university sold the summer range to J.J. Fleming of the Honey Lake Valley and for whom the state wildlife unit at Honey Lake is named for.

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History

Reflection Lake—Lassen Park

July 25, 2024 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Reflection. Lake is. located in the northwest corner of Lassen Volcanic National Park, and a short distance east of Manzanita Lake. The lake was originally known as Stockton Lake. It was so named after John Stockton, a Shasta County physician, surveyor and civil engineer. In 1875 Stockton, along with William Coffey had plans to develop it into a fish farm, but that proposal never went anywhere.

In 1926, B.F. Loomis purchased a 40-acre parcel near Reflection Lake. Loomis an avid park supporter offered the property. to the park, in hopes the park would make the headquarters there. In 1927, the park announced Mineral would be the site for the headquarters. The decision did not deter his support of the park. Loomis went ahead and built a museum there. On February 4, 1929, Loomis donated the property to the park. That summer the park in consideration of the donation, granted Loomis a life estate to five acres that allowed to him continue to maintain the museum and gave him the privilege of building a residence and photographic studio. Loomis died 1935.

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History

It Was Hot In 1931

July 24, 2024 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

It has been toasty warm around these parts in July. It should be noted the summer of 1931 was of Susanville’s hottest and driest on record. A heat wave lasted nearly two months, with little respite. In July and August, only eight times did the high temperature dip below 90. In July there were nine consecutive days when the high was over 100. On July 19 and 20 was it ever hot, both days registered 106. It was also dry. On June 16th .03 inches of precipitation fell. Not another raindrop fell on the town for the next four months, until October 17th when .30 inches was recorded.

In cae you were wondering the first week of July 1876, incidentally witnessed Susanville’s hottest ever recorded temperature–108 degrees–and it was reached on three different days.

Tim

News

Tuesday Tidbit Update

July 23, 2024 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Ash Valley School, as viewed from the cemetery, 2002.

For your summer time treat, starting next Tuesday, July 30 through mid-September there will be Tuesday Tidbit post. One can thank Mother Nature and the heat wave for that. This has not been ideal conditions for outdoor explorations.

Tim

History

Susanville’s Fruit Growers Townsite

July 22, 2024 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

A family residential section of Fruit Growers, 1921—Ed Standard

In 1919, when Fruit Growers Supply Company planned to build a mill at Susanville, they saw many benefits. Instead of the situation they had at Hilt, a company town they inherited. They felt confident that Susanville entrepreneurs would fill void, especially when it came it to housing. Nothing went according to plan. First of all, Fruit Growers hired 1500 men, the majority with families, which that figure was larger than the population of Susanville.

Fruit Growers dormitories, 1921–Ed Standard

Fruit Growers had to go plan B and build affordable housing for its employees. A residential district, Fruit Growers Townsite was laid out to the west of the plant. Half the townsite contained 80 cottages, the other half dormitories and apartments. It cost Fruit Growers $245,000 to build the housing project. While Fruit Growers is gone today, many of these buildings remain. Another item are the street names, a legacy of the state’s citrus landscape—Sunkist, Monrovia, Upland, Orange, Limoneira to name a few.

History

Logging Camp Remnants

July 21, 2024 Tim Purdy 1 Comment

Camp B. Courtesy of Fruit Growers Supply Company

This is first part of a three part series examining logging camp remnants. Today, we will focus on Fruit Growers Camp B and C. These camps operated during the early to mid-1920s in the Martin Springs vicinity, north and east of McCoy Flat Reservoir. Both were substantial camps comprising some 250 men. Camp C boasted a boxing arena that seated 500 people!

Camp C, no date. Courtesyof Lenala Martin Collection

Today, there is plenty of remnants at Camp B. Among those are the concrete foundations of the commissary and cookhouse. Though it’s been some time since I last visited. the railroad service pits were somewhat in tact. There is scattered debris in the area, and I even found an old pocket watch. Camp C is just the opposite. Without any remnants or any other tell tale signs it is difficult to locate. Why the difference? Camp B is located on land owned by Fruit Growers. Camp C was on land owned by the forest service, the latter required the site to be cleaned up after no longer in use.

Next up the examination of the Harvey line that had four camps–Bunyan, Puls Harvey and Stanford.

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History

Lassen County Fair Logging Competitions of the Past

July 20, 2024 Tim Purdy 1 Comment

When the Lassen County Fair was revived, in 1922, it would go through and still does evolves. Take for instance, logging competitions for decades it was a main stay attraction, but not any more.

In 1923, the first logging exhibition at the Lassen County Fair was held. After all there were three large sawmill operations—Fruit Growers Supply Company, Lassen Lumber & Box Company and Red River Lumber Company. It was certainly a noteworthy event. For many attendees it was the first time they were able to witness the current logging methods of the “big wheels.” A competition was held between the big three companies. The Fruit Growers Supply Company won top honors in this category. It should be noted by 1927, the lumber companies began phasing out the “big wheels” for the motorized Caterpillar traction engines.

Tim

History

A New Masonic Lodge

July 19, 2024 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

The Masonic Temple under construction, October, 1924.

Like the proverbial phoenix rising above the ashes, Lassen Lodge F.&AM lost their lodge in a fire in 1921. On July 19,1924 the Masons awarded a contract for a new lodge with T.J. Reese of Fallon, Nevada. The cost $35,500 for the two-story native stone building. The Roman Doric design was the work of local architect, Ralph D. Taylor. On August 21, a cornerstone ceremony was held. The contract stipulated a completion date no later than January 1, 1925. It should be noted that this was the last major native stone building constructed in Susanville

Tim.

News

Benjamin Pollard Story Update

July 18, 2024 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Grave of Benjamin Pollard, VFW Section, Lassen Cemetery, March 16, 2024

For those just tuning you can read about the Benjamin Pollard story that was posted earlier this year here.

Mark Hakvoort of Hollands Kroon, in the Netherlands in their quest to honor and to remember the aircraft and crews perished there during World War II contacted me about Pollard. You can learn more from their website here

One of those who perished was Benjamin Pollard, whose body would eventually be brought back to the United States and buried in the Lassen Cemetery, Susanville. It was Mr. Hakvoort’s goal to locate descendants. Since that initial post we have been able to locate numerous family. Pollard has a niece who resides in France. On October 5th they will be holding remembrance ceremony for Pollard in the Netherlands and his niece plans to attend. I was thrilled that a connection could be made.

Tim