Lassen County was spared from some of the painful effects of the nation’s Great Depression of the 1930s. The agricultural community was not as fortunate, for those who were members of the Baxter Creek & Tule Irrigation Districts, but that is another story.
An example of the impact of the lumber industry is duly noted in this Lassen Mail editorial of May 31, 1935: “Good for Local Lumber. The three main Lassen County lumber mills this week have all declared their intention of a general wage raise for all hourly workers.
”That this is good news to Lassen County as a whole goes without saying. It will mean that more than a quarter of a million dollars extra will be placed on payrolls each year. Business men, laboring men, employers and employees alike will benefit from this move.
”The citizens and residents of this county owe a vote of thanks to the mills as a whole. Due to their prompt passing on of the benefits which they hope to obtain from a better market. Lassen industry may look forward to the future with renewed hope and confidence.
”Once more the mills have demonstrated the saying, ‘Lumber leads the way.’”