Today, this road is best known as the gateway to High Desert State Prison. In an earlier time it was the easiest route heading north out of the Honey Lake Valley. As a matter of fact, several proposed railroad companies surveyed a rail line through the canyon. In the early 1920s, when the Bly Tunnel was under construction at Eagle Lake, it was the preferred route of teamsters to haul equipment and supplies to that site. Continue reading Rice Canyon Road
In the early 1900s when Great Western Power Company began the purchases of property at Big Meadows, Plumas County to transform it into a reservoir known today as Lake Almanor, residents and visitors alike found the company was a not a friendly neighbor. Initially, Great Western required a person to obtain a permit to fish and/or camp on their lands. This had to be done at there San Francisco office. In 1908, they changed their policy and prohibited fishing and camping on their properties at Big Meadows.
A correspondent to the Plumas National Bulletin newspaper of June 29, 1908 informed readers that there were places in and around Big Meadows that visitors would still enjoy. The writer noted, “Among the streams in Big Meadows and adjacent thereto in which it is lawful to fish and on whose banks it is lawful to camp are Hamilton Branch in the canyon before it enters the swamp lands of the east arm of Big Meadows purchased by the Great Western Power Company for a reservoir site..” The correspondent continued since Prattville was the gateway to the National Forest Reserves there were plenty of nearby streams and lakes which visitors could enjoy.
On October 12, 1979 the Southern Pacific closed the Susanville depot, one of the last vestiges of the Westwood Branch. Of course, it did not come as a surprise. About the only activity there was an occasional REA truck at the loading dock, but that company went bankrupt in 1975.
When the depot was built in 1913, it was a lively place. In 1927, an addition was made to accommodate the increase of passengers and freight. Changes were on the horizon. In 1933, the Southern Pacific discontinued passenger service. Another blow came in 1955 by two events. Fruit Growers Supply Company announced that summer it would close its Westwood mill. In December 1955 a torrential flood damaged the railroad tracks between Susanville and Westwood. Instead of making costly repairs, the Southern Pacific simply closed that segment. By 1970, there were only two lumber mills in Susanville—Coin and Sierra Pacific. Thus, the depot outlived its usefulness.
This, the truth be known is a public service announcement. It is that time of year that on Saturdays through the summer a farmers market is held in Susanville on South Gay Street. Usually, you will find me there from 11 to noon.
If I get my act together, it is my intent on the last Saturday of each month is to do a walking tour of the murals on the south side of Main Street, along with the history of the buildings that adorn them. Stay tuned.
Tim
On June 21, 1907, Lassen County High School held its first graduation ceremony. It should be noted that in 1906, there was a three year-commercial course of graduates. The Class of 1907 consisted of Medford Arnold, Hanchen Lesser, Lena Cahlan, Jessie Hulsman, Evelyn Hulsman, Ralph Taylor, Jeanette Alexander, Kate Deforest, Ruth Hemler, Wright Spalding and Percy Holmes.
Evelyn Hulsman was the Class Valedictorian and the following is a synopsis of her speech that appeared in the Lassen Advocate, June 28, 1907: “Nemesis of an Amateur” was the theme of Valedictorian, Miss Evelyn Hulsman. The young lady had gone to Shakespeare for inspiration and in the pictured career of MacBeth she found it. Vividly with well chosen language she retold the story of MacBeth’s machinations, his great crime and the disastrous consequences to himself when ‘Great Birnam wood to high. Dunsine hill,’ came against him and sword Manduff put an end to his unworthy ambitions. Miss Hulsman’s effort was a notable one in many particulars. It was delivered with strong dramatic effect and token conscientious preparation. It is much too long for reproduction in these columns. A fact we regret.
For over a fifty year stretch Susanville was home to two newspapers the Lassen Advocate and the Lassen Weekly Mail. Since 2020 the community is no longer served by a newspaper.
On October 25, 1886, the Mail made its debut on the streets of Susanville with Nevada newspaperman Benjamin M. Barney at its helm. Barney, however, lacked capital for his new enterprise and made M.B. Bransford, a partner. In addition, he borrowed $1,088.38 from Robert Tremain to purchased a new printing press. In 1891, Bransford became sole proprietor and moved the printing office into the Masonic Building.
In 1893, the Masonic Building and much of Susanville’s business district was destroyed by fire. Bransford abandoned the newspaper, and Tremain who was still owed money for the printing press, took over the paper. Tremain’s son, Joseph Mellow operated the paper and eventually purchased his parent’s interest.
Tremain had newspaper experience, and even worked at a time as foreman of the Lassen Advocate. Tremain’s journalistic endeavors bordered on the mundane, with the exception of one big topic, the Red River Lumber Company. Tremain and Red River’s owners, the Walkers became real cozy. This paid big dividends, and the Mail published the inside scoop on all of Red River’s proposed activities.
In 1911, when Susanville was on the verge of tremendous growth, Tremain sold the newspaper, and soon ushered in the era of the Cook family, more about that later.
Millponds at lumber mills are a relic of the past. Those who have recollections, especially if living nearby can attest during the summer months of the odiferous stench from them. Continue reading Red River’s Massive Millpond
Today is a special day. It happens to be Arthur Cahlan Mathews 101st Birthday, who was born in Susanville on June 5, 1922. This explains today’s photograph of the students and teacher of Johnstonville School, 1895. Art’s mother Lena Cahlan, and his aunt, Neva attended Johnstonville School and are featured in this photograph, notice the matching dresses. They grew up on Cahlan ranch which was located about halfway between Susanville and Johnstonville. Lena, was a member of the first graduating class of Lassen County High School in 1907. Art’s grandmother, Charlotte Cahlan, by the way, was a moving force behind the establishment of the Lassen County Free Library in 1915.
Happy Birthday Art. I will have the traditional ”Susanville pour” in your honor.
Tim
One of the first buildings constructed at Standish was known as Pringle Hall when it was built in 1898 by James Pringle. Upon the completion of the hall Pringle joked that it was his Opera House.
In 1905 Pringle began a complete renovation of the hall. He converted it into a hotel and enlarged the structure by quite a bit. The renovated building had a frontage of 86 feet and a depth of 60 feet versus the original dimensions of a 60 foot frontage and a depth of 30 feet. The first floor contained a store, restaurant and a branch office of the Bank of Lassen County. In 1908, Pringle sold the hotel to Frank Wrede for $2,772.05, the amount he owed on the mortgage. Wrede continued with the hotel for the remainder of his life, though by the 1930s, the hotel rooms received little use.
In the summer of 1937, Virgil McClure (Wrede’s son-in-law) announced his intentions to tear down the Wrede Hotel and replace it with a restaurant and bar. For whatever reason, he procrastinated and did not do the demolition until the fall of 1942. McClure, however, never carried out his original intention and it remained a vacant lot for many years.
Tim
Some people experience more life changing events than others. This was the case of Susanville’s founder Isaac Roop. In 1850, Roop was widowed at the age of 28 with three small children. In that same year, his brother who operated a store in the mining community of Shasta, California urged Isaac to come to California to operate the store temporarily, so he could return East and bring back his family out West. Isaac obliged and left his children in care of his in-laws and arrived in Shasta in September 1850. Tragedy struck again, for durng Josiah’s journey back East he died along the way. Isaac remained in Shasta with the store responsibility but also to probate his brother’s estate.
On June 14, 1853, Shasta was destroyed by fire and Roop found himself destitute. He then set out on the Nobles Trail to seek a location for the establishment of a trading post and came upon the Honey Lake Valley. In September 1853, Roop claimed the land that eventually became Susanville and returned to Shasta for the winter. The following summer, Roop along with his brother Ephraim, built a log cabin and established his trading post. Eventually, it evolved into the town of Susanville where he lived the rest of his life, passing away from pneumonia on Valentine’s Day 1869.