Smoke Creek is a desert stream that is approximately twenty-six miles in length with an equal portion in California and Nevada. Its headwaters is Big Springs at the southern base of Observation Mountain. The creek descends into a small canyon that early day explorer J. Goldsborough Bruff in 1850 dubbed as Hierioglyphic Creek, due to the numerous petroglyphs on the canyon walls. From there the stream enters a much larger deeper canyon.
Smoke Creek Canyon, January 2020—Greg Johnso
On the Nevada side, the lower end of the creek was a welcomed sight for weary travelers of the 1850s and 1860s on the Nobles Emigrant Trail. The water flow decreases the closer one gets to the Smoke Creek Desert.
June 26, 2023Smoke Creek Golf Course, 1996
The terminus of the creek varies as to the kind of water year. It can spread over the scrub brush terrain. I can attest since I played at a golf tourney there over Labor Day Weekend. One of the course’s many hazards were the mosquitos, and they were a hungry lot.
Since I am repository of a variety items, lately I have been rummaging through the local Clampers file, i.e. the Neversweats Chapter #1863, E Clampus Vitus. In 1990, they proposed to place a plaque at the Susanville Oddfellows Building located at 701 Main Street. For whatever reasons it did not happen. However, they submitted price quote for the cost of a bronze plaque with the following wording:
”Organized in 1879, the Silver Star Lodge No. 135 of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, is one of Susanville’s oldest fraternal organizations. In that same year, the lodge purchased this property for $4,000. This structure built in 1896 was the first two-story red brick building constructed in Susanville. C.E. Clough, Architect & Contractor, Reno, Nevada.”
The proposed plaque had a dedication date of August 4, 1990. Fast forward to 2023, the local Oddfellows organization disbanded years ago. If any one happens to know what year it folded, let me know, so I can do an update. It should be duly the local Clampers chapter went by the wayside a long time ago.
A most interesting desert stream that flows through some very fascinating terrain. It was a welcome sight among early day travelers and still is today.
Diamond Mountain Inn as it appeared in the 1920s and was located next to the Masonic Hall. It was destroyed by a fire in 1931.
In 1913, the Lassen Weekly Mail published a special Railroad edition extolling all the virtues that Honey Lake Valley had to offer. In that same year B.R. Holmes purchased the Janesville Hotel. He renamed it the Diamond Mountain Inn. He made numerous improvements and placed wood shingles for the exterior.
The following is a description of the place that appeared in the Mail’s special edition:
”Situated at the foot of Diamond Mountain, in the beautiful and picturesque Honey Lake Valley this hotel offers every attraction that the tired and worn out city denizen can desire. Sparkling mountain water, direct from the snow clad peaks of old Diamond, pure as Nature itself, is piped throughout the hotel.
“Everything modern that goes to make for the comfort of guests is provided, and no better place in the state of California to spend the summer months. Fresh, crisp vegetables are served direct from the garden and purest milk and cream and other farm products will always be found on the table.
”In Janesville will be found some of the finest gardens in Honey Lake Valley and those belonging to the hotel are among the best. The Diamond Mountain Inn is not compelled to serve canned vegetables to its guests, neither does it supplies lay for days in commission houses and the baskets of green grocers.
The hotel is surrounded by a fine growth of old elms, which adds beauty and comfort of then hostelry.
“The Diamond Mountain Inn is the ideal headquarters for the sportsman. Game of all kinds abound in the nearby mountains. Deer may be found within easy distance and opening of every season finds sportsmen on hand. Wild fowl are plentiful and no difficulty getting the limit. Within a few miles my be found cold streams teaming with game mountain trout.”
Confusion happens, Since, many topics,I know so well, I can omit information, not intentionally. During the Ask Tim segment the issue of Antelope Grade was a prime example. What I wrote about last fall was the construction of the grade during the 1940s, the road we know today. What I neglected was information about the original grade. which I will now correct that matter.
In 1867, a crude wagon road was constructed over Antelope. It should be noted prior to then, and even afterwards the preferred route north was via Rice Canyon Road. With the discovery of gold at Hayden Hill and the increased settlement of Big Valley the travelling public clamored for improvements to the grade. In the fall of 1878, the Lassen County Board of Supervisors sent a survey crew to plot a new road over the mountain. The county estimated the cost of the new grade at $1,000. Of that amount individuals had already contributed $300 to the cause. The county budgeted $300. The county stated the balance would have to come from donations. A campaign to raise funds from Big Valley and Hayden Hill provided the balance. By the summer of 1879, most of the work was completed, with volunteer labor making up the workforce.
Last week, I went through the process to upload newly scanned photographs. I came across this particular one, of the south side of the 700 block Main Street, Susanville, which was not scheduled for any story. A lot of changes have occurred. The former Spalding Drug building was destroyed by fire in 2005. At the far end of the block, the Pioneer, Grand Cafe and what was formerly known as the State do not appear in this photograph since those changes occurred in 1920 and 1934.
The former Spalding Drug building, i.e, 710, 712 Main Street, Susanville, January 7, 2005.
This site was launched on February 5, 2015. Two interesting events back in February 2015. One was the demolition of the Roosevelt Swimming Pool in Susanville. Then, on February 5 there was wild wind storm that in my opinion was very memorable. I never seen so many trees blown down by the wind.
Main entrance to the Susanville Cemetery, February 8, 2015
Of course, the web hosting service wants renumeration, and with a very substantial fee increase to boot. Ouch! The bottom line, I renewed for another three years.
Hotel Lassen Advertisement Westwood Independent, 1918
Before there was a Hotel Mt. Lassen there was the Hotel Lassen. It was originally known as the Johnston House. For a time, it was the town’s foremost hotel. On November 1, 1912, a change of ownership and name change occurred when long time Susanville resident Henry C. Dobyns acquired the property. At that time, he changed the name to Hotel Lassen. After he passed away in 1916, his son Charles took over the operation. The hotel was destroyed by fire in 1919.
Dobyns purchased the hotel from Thomas H. Long. In 1914, Long had a two-story stone building constructed as the Star Hotel at the corner of Main and North Gay Streets—only a half block away from his former establishment. For many years that structure was known as the “Telephone building” since the local telephone company was located there for many years.
The Johnston House, circa 1909. Courtesy of Betty Barry Deal
In 1883, Lassen County built its first hospital, along the Susan River, just west of Susanville for $630. The next obstacle for the county to contend with, how to fund its operations. The county levied an annual poll tax. The ordinance quite simple.
“That there shall be levied and collected for the maintenance of the County Hospital for each male inhabitant of the County Of Lassen, over twenty-one and under sixty years of age, except pauper, insane persons and Indians not taxed, a Hospital poll tax of one dollar.”
It is interesting to note that the payment be made to the County Assessor. Those who were delinquent it was the duty of County Tax Collector to seek payment.
Yesterday’s post was about the early origins of the St. Francis Hotel. Some one wanted to know about the west addition. Here is that information below, as well as what the building originally looked like for comparison.
St. Francis Hotel, circa 1919. Courtesy of Art Almeda
During the 1920s, Susanville’s population nearly tripled. Hotel accommodations were scarce, especially after the Emerson Hotel was destroyed in a 1915. In August 1925, the St. Francis Hotel announced its intention to construct a three-story addition. While it added only an additional nine rooms, it allowed for the lobby to be enlarged, as well as the restaurant facilities. The $25,000 project was constructed by the firm Woodward & Grebe, It should be noted that noted Nevada architect, Frederick deLonghamps designed the original hotel, as well as the addition.
