While examining a Lassen County Chamber of Commerce file, it contains a number of mimeograph prints of various literature of the 1960s and 1970s.. The mimeograph machine was an economical way to make copies, since at that time copy machines were on the expensive side. If you have come across one of the old Lassen County Historical Society bulletins, they, too were mimeographed. It was a simple machine. A typed stencil produced, and it was then placed on a drum of the. mimeograph. Then one used the crank and printed out as many copies as desired. One could even change the color ink, though dealing with the ink could be a messy process.

While the above photograph is a press that worked similar to the mimeograph. In this case, wooden box slats were fed through press imprinting them with the name of the citrus grower.

Tim

My one and only golfing experience was history related. It was, one of the unique golf courses designed, and only used once. There were no greens, sand traps or water hazards. But there were hazards. I now understand why golf courses are devoid of boulders or anything that could send a golf ball ricocheting  in any direction. However, of the dozen or so participants, only one had ever played golf.

The course, it should be noted, was a one-hole course, a mile in length. Tee off was on top of one of most historical remnants the Skedaddle Dam. The course went due north to Chalk Bluffs, which was the 1890 construction camp site for the dam. There is a nearby spring, with names carved in stone by some of the construction workers.

In a footnote, Anne Bixby, whose home was at the Emerson Lake Golf Course gathered and donated hundreds of stray golf balls that she collected daily in her yard. Another person checked routinely at the Salvation Army and provided this eccentric group with golf clubs. In the end, a good time was had by all.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday weekend. — Tim

The CCC Secret Valley Camp correspondent with his news release of camp activities concluded in his column how Thanksgiving was celebrated there in 1935: “Thanksgiving Day here in the camp was one day the boys will not forget for a long time to come. The menu was indeed very well cooked and served. Turkey was all over the camp. One of the boys stated, ‘it sure was a well eaten meal.’ I should say it was. In fact there was so much turkey and mince pie and what not that some of the boys did not feel like working the next day. But, ‘we can take it.’ Yes, sir.”

Tim

For those who enjoyed skiing at Coppervale this last season, you need to thank Bert and Mary Bain who established it and then Lassen College who has been operating it since the end of the World War II.

First a little background. Back in the 1930s several road houses were established along highway 36 between Susanville and Westwood. They initially started out simple first with a gas station and restaurant, and later expanding. One of these was The Meadows which was located across the highway from the base of Coppervale.

At the same time, skiing, and more particularly ski jumping was all the rage throughout Northern California, where numerous professional events were staged. In 1934, the Paul Bunyan Ski Club of Westwood even sponsored one which they built a ski jump on Fredonyer.  In the spring of 1935, Bert and Mary Bain purchased The Meadows. First they expanded operations with an enlarged restaurant, but added a bar and dance floor. To attract amateur skiers, Bain had a ski jump constructed across the highway from The Meadows. Bain recruited noted skiers Sid Knudson and Phil Brown to design and build a small jump for his guests, and thus the Coppervale Ski Hill was born.

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