Lassen County CA Archives History - Books .....Janesville 1882
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Book Title: Illustrated History Of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties

JANESVILLE.

   The little town of Janesville is pleasantly situated in the edge of the
timber, four miles west of the upper end of Honey lake. It lies at the base of
the beautiful Sierra, which rise above it on the south. It is about twelve miles
south of Susanville, on the road to Reno, and on the south side of an arm of
Honey Lake valley which lies along Baxter creek.

   In the spring of 1857 Thomas Mitchell, located a section of land in which was
embraced the site of the present town of Janesville. He sold it that fall to
Malcom Bankhead, and the new proprietor erected a two-story house of hewn logs,
on the ground now occupied by J. R. Bailey's hotel. Bankhead was a blacksmith by
trade, and built a shop near the creek, on the opposite side of Main street, in
which he worked for a number of years. The next residence was built in 1858 by
Smith Hill. It, too, was a log house, and stood on the opposite side of the
street from its predecessor. In 1862 David Blanchard opened a general
merchandise store, and in 1864 sold it to L. N. Breed. In 1873 Mr. Breed built a
new store across the street from the old one, and still conducts the only
merchandising business in the town. The second story of his new building he
fitted up for a hall, and Odd Fellows, Masonic, and Workmen lodges hold their
meetings there. In 1867 there was opened a second store, but it was discontinued
a year later. There were, for a time, two saloons, but one of them closed its
doors.

   During the Indian troubles in the early settlement times, a log fort was
built just north-west of where the town now stands. This was used as a place of
refuge in time of danger. Later it was converted into a school-house, and served
as the seat of learning for the vicinity until 1867, when the present school
building was erected.

   Until 1864 Janesville was simply known as the Bankhead place; but during that
year a post-office was established, and a name was necessary. Mr. Breed, the
present incumbent, was appointed postmaster; and in honor of Mrs. Jane Bankhead,
the first lady who lived there, the new town was called Janesville. The town now
contains L. N. Breed's store, J. E. Bailey's hotel, a saloon, post-office,
fraternal hall, school-house, and about two dozen residences.

   HONEY LAKE LODGE NO. 223, I. O. O. F.—This lodge was chartered October
14,1873, B. F. Sheldon, Jerry Bond, P. R. James, William M. McClelland, and
Charles Barham being the charter members. The lodge has now a membership of
thirty, and the past grands are B. F. Sheldon, P. R. James, L. N. Breed, A.
Otto, Jerry Bond, and T. R. Epley.

   JANESVILLE LODGE No. 232, F. & A. M.—A dispensation was granted this lodge
November 23, 1873, and a charter October 16, 1874. The charter members were: A.
G. Moon, W. M.; John D. Kelley, S. W.; L. N. Breed, J. W.; T. R. Epley, Richard
Bass, G. Pullen, E. T. Slackford, B. H. Leavitt, John E. Fitch, W. H. Clark, E.
J. Hendrick, Jeremiah Leakey, A. Otto, John Parks, James P. Sharp, John
Theodore, H. Winchell, Nicholas Clark, G. K. Bangham, A. G. Bechtol, James D.
Byers, Andrew Dill, J. D. Hamler, B. D. Minckler, W. D. Minckler, E. C. Parks,
George M. Pierce, and B. P. Sheldon. The membership is now forty. L. N. Breed,
H. Winchell, and Jeremiah Leakey have held the office of master in this lodge.

   LAKE LODGE No. 135, A. O. U. W.—The charter of this lodge was issued October
7, 1879. The charter members were Milton Santee, Hosea A. Bronson, S. M. White,
T. J. Glascock, A. G. Bechtol, Charles Hartson, J. R. Bailey, A. Otto, Charles
Barham, and M. P. Chamberlin. The past master workmen are Milton Santee, P. B.
Bronson, and John T. Masten. The present membership is seventeen.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Illustrated History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties

San Francisco: Fariss & Smith
(1882)

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