In the late 1800s and into the early 1900s the sheep industry played a major role in Lassen County’s economy. In 1906, Lassen County officials estimated 200,000 head of sheep were brought into the county for summer grazing. Many of these outfits came from nearby Tehama County. On February 25, 1902, Adam Crim Worley of Tehama County, purchased 481 acres from John Sites, and established his summer stock range about ten miles west of Susanville on the western base of the mountain, that would become known as Worley Mountain. (This is the mountain one crosses to travel to the south shore of Eagle Lake.) Worley’s son, Jesse C. Worley continued with the family sheep business for some time. In 1909, Jesse married Jeanette Alexander and in 1911, he became associated with his father-in-law’s, Jules Alexander, general store in Susanville. 1942 was a monumental year for Jesse Worley as closed the store in Susanville. On August 17, 1942, he sold the ranch to Bill and Zella Ahern for $3,000.

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