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

SUSANVILLE.

   The seat of Justice of Lassen county was named in honor of Susan, the
daughter of its first settler, Mr. Isaac N. Boop. She married Mr. A. T. Arnold,
who resides upon the place where the original settlement was made.

   Beautifully situated on a slightly elevated bench a short distance north of
Susan river, and hemmed in on three sides by mountains covered with fine timber,
while on the fourth it looks out upon the broad valley of Honey lake, Susanville
enjoys one of the most pleasing locations to be found in California. Down the
valley for miles lie fine farms and handsome residences; while thirty miles away
can be seen the Hot Spring mountains walling in the valley on the north and
east. On a clear morning steam can be seen rising from the springs that give the
name to these mountains, though they lie twenty and thirty miles away. 

   The settlement made here by Hon. Isaac N. Roop in 1853, the building of the
log house in 1854, its use for a fort in the Sage-Brush War in 1863, since when
it has been called Fort Defiance, have all been related in the early history of
the valley. When the territory of Nataqua was organized by the settlers in 1856,
this place was reserved for a town site, and every genuine settler was entitled
to a lot upon which to build a residence.

   In the spring of 1856, L. N. Breed brought a stock of goods from
Elizabethtown, Plumas county, which he sold in a log house built by him about
twenty yards from Peter Lassen's log house. In September he moved to the site of
Susanville, and opened his store in a brush shanty, near Fort Defiance, where H.
N. Skaddan's residence now stands. He traded with the emigrants till winter set
in, and then went to Butte county. In the spring he returned and opened a
trading-post a mile below Buntingville, and soon after moved to the Schaefer
ranch, on the emigrant road, where he kept a trading post two years.

   In the spring of 1857, Cutler Arnold built a hotel of hewn logs, on the site
of Susanville. The house was 25x30 feet, and one and one-half stories high. It
still stands in the eastern end of the town, on the north side of Main street,
and has so fallen from its high estate as to become a tenement for Chinese
occupants. For two years this was the only place where meals were served to the
public, for which the moderate price of seventy-five cents each was charged. The
proprietor also provided a few beds in the loft, to reach which required a
little climbing. This portion of the establishment was not patronized as
extensively as the table, for few men traveled in those days and in such
localities without their blankets, and all they required in bad weather was the
floor of some saloon or store to spread them on; while on fair nights, the
ground for a couch, and the stars for a roof, were all that they felt the
necessity of. Thus prepared, the weary traveler composed himself to sleep,
soothed by the soft voice of the coyote, and the sweet lullaby of the night-owl,
while various insects indulged in explorations about his person, and creaked
forth their comments to their companions. With such surroundings no one could
"court the balmy" without success.

   From the time Roop's log fort was built, a stock of merchandise was kept
there, trade with the emigrants being the first inducement for Mr. Roop to make
a settlement here. Cutler Arnold also kept a variety of merchandise for sale at
his establishment. Settlers all through the valley came to Susanville, which was
at first called Rooptown, to procure supplies; and gradually, as the valley
increased in population and productiveness, residences and shops were built at
Susanville, until quite a town sprang up. In 1858 a Mr. Scott kept goods for
sale in Roop's log house. The third store was opened in 1859, by A. W. Worm. The
next year Charles Nixon built a one-story frame house, 20x40 feet in size, in
which a stock of goods was placed. This was the first building erected solely
for mercantile purposes, and still stands just to the east of Cutler Arnold's
log hotel-The first stock of merchandise of any considerable magnitude was
brought to Susanville in 1862, by I. J. Harvey and E. D. Hosselkus, and placed
in Neale's frame building. This stood on the ground adjoining Skadden's livery
stable, and was Otto's blacksmith shop, when it was destroyed by the fire of 1881.

   A fire-proof store building, the first in the town, was built of stone, by
Andrew Miller and Rufus Kingsley, over the front door of which they placed a
stone tablet bearing the inscription, "1863." It is in the central portion of
the town, and has always been occupied as a store. In this, by the provisions of
the statute creating Lassen county, the commissioners to organize the county
held their first meeting. After meeting and electing a chairman and clerk, they
adjourned to the Masonic Hall, on the north-west corner of Lassen and Main streets.

   Peter Lassen, who settled in the valley in 1855, was a blacksmith by trade;
and the first work of that nature done in the valley was by that old pioneer. In
1859, Clark Rugg & Harper opened a shop on the south side of Main street, in a
log house near where Smith's hotel now stands. Clark Rugg was arrested in 1860
for stealing a horse, and was convicted at Quincy, in May, 1861, of larceny, and
sent to San Quentin for five years. The record of that institution says he was
"discharged January 12, 1862"; but as we learn that he was killed while
attempting to escape, we are forced to conclude that the authorities of that
prison have more than one way of discharging a felon.

   During the summer of 1860 Dr. Z. J. Brown came into the valley with a small
stock of drugs, and displayed his healing wares to the suffering public beneath
a canvas tent. In the fall he had so prospered that he erected a frame building
where Smith's hotel now stands. It was octagonal in shape, and from this
peculiarity the proprietor was endowed with the title of Dr. Eight Square. In
1861 he bought a piece of land from Governor Roop, embracing that on which Fort
Defiance stands, and transplanted quite an extensive orchard of apple and peach
trees, claimed to be the first in the valley, though Mr. L. Vary is credited
with having planted a number of peach stones some time before this. The property
reverted to Governor Roop, and is now owned by A. T. Arnold.

   In 1859 the first regular saloon was opened on the north side of Main street,
midway between Gay and Union, by B. B. Painter and George Mitchell, and was
known as the Black Rock. The town has now three establishments of this character.

   The first frame dwelling-house in Susanville was erected in the fall of 1859
by A. B. Jenison, on the south side of Main street and in the eastern end of the
town. It is now owned by W. H. Harrison. It was 16x30 feet in size, sided up
with planed shakes, and was ornamented with a rustic cornice, making a fine
residence for those pioneer days.

   As many of the settlers had their families with them, facilities for
educating their children were soon required. In 1858 Malcom Scott opened a
private school in a small building that stood on the south side of Cottage
street, about midway between Gay and Lassen streets. Dr. James W. Stettinius
taught a school in 1859, in a frame building that stood on the south side of
Main street near where the blacksmith shop now stands. The next school was
taught in 1861-62 by Miss Fannie Long, in a building on the north side of Main
street, where the Black Rock saloon was kept. In 1863 a school-house was built
on the site of the present building. It was a frame structure, one story in
height, and 20x30 feet in size. This building was used until 1872, when the
school becoming too large to be accommodated in it, the old house was moved
away, and a fine, two-story, frame school-building was erected. This was 30x60
feet in size, and was divided into two rooms. It was surmounted by a tower, in
which a fine bell was suspended. Again, in 1881, it became necessary to enlarge
the school accommodations, owing to the great increase of attendance, and a
frame addition, 28x45 feet and one story high, was built on. A view of the
structure as it now appears will be seen on the title-page. The school
facilities are of a high order, and give evidence of a desire on the part of the
citizens to give their children as good an education as can be obtained in any
public school in the state.

   In 1876 the First Congregational Church of Susanville was built, at an
expense of $2,200, the money being donated by the citizens. In 1877 a Methodist
church was erected through the exertions of Rev. Warren Nines, who had been sent
to this circuit from the Nevada conference three years before. This energetic
divine wheeled nearly all the rocks used in the foundation, and worked hard and
alone to accomplish something, in the lack of funds to hire help. "Little
Nines," as he was called, was so persistent and so thoroughly in earnest, that
the people all became interested in his work, and subscribed liberally, without
respect to religious opinion, business, or occupation—the sporting fraternity
not being behind the others in their donations. The result was that a fine
church edifice was erected, and was dedicated in the fall of 1877, by Bishop
Bowman. Both of these churches appear on the title-page.

   Besides many good residences, Susanville contains at the present time six
stores, two jewelers, two drug stores, three saloons, three hotels, one livery
stable, one feed stable, two barber-shops, one blacksmith and wagon shop, one
market, two shoe-stores, one harness and saddlery store, five attorneys, four
physicians, one dentist, a post-office, express office, telegraph office, two
churches, a school-house, and six fraternal organizations. The Lassen Advocate,
now in its seventeenth volume is published weekly by N. S. McKinsey and D. C.
Slater. It is an excellent local journal, with four pages of seven columns each,
devoted to the interests of Lassen county. A United States land office was
established here in 1871, by the exertions of Hon. John S. Ward.

   The Susanville cemetery is prettily located on a knoll just outside of town.
It was first selected in November, 1860, for the last resting place of Perry M.
Craig, son of Milton Craig, who was drowned in a mill-pond near town. It was
inclosed in 1864. As many from all over Honey Lake valley, as well as many
emigrants, were buried here, it was decided in 1879 to enlarge the grounds, and
that fall a new fence was built, inclosing a lot 300x416 feet. In 1881 water was
conducted to the cemetery in an iron pipe, and flowers and shade trees may now
be planted with an assurance of springing up to beautify and adorn this quiet spot.

   The first establishment of a post-office was made March 17, 1859, and
Governor Roop was appointed postmaster. The government allowed the office to
support itself upon its receipts, and as best it could otherwise, for a time,
and then made a regular office of it.

   In 1877 a telegraph line was constructed from Susanville to Taylorville, in
Plumas county, to connect with the Western Union line there. It was built by J.
H. Maxwell, and W. G. and J. C. Young, at an expense of $2,000, subscriptions,
to be taken out in use of the wire, being given to the amount of $1,250. In 1881
the line was sold and removed, as the receipts did not pay the expense of
keeping it in repair; and Susanville was again cut off from telegraphic
connection with the world.

   The first fire of any magnitude in Susanville occurred March 17, 1865,
destroying Wentworth & Wilson's livery stable, where it originated, Lovell &
Wiggin's blacksmith shop, Fredonyer's saloon, J. Smith's hotel and brewery, a
tailor-shop, a butcher-shop, Samuel Peyser's store and dwelling-house, and R. F.
Moody's drug store. There were no facilities at hand for combating the flames,
and the citizens could make but little headway against them. The loss amounted
to $20,000, on which there was no insurance. No other fire of any magnitude
occurred until Sunday morning, November 6, 1881, when a fire was started in H.
N. Skaddan's Empire livery stable. The citizens worked with determination,
forming a bucket line, and succeeded in confining the fire to the row of
buildings in which it originated. The Empire and Fashion stables, Otto's
blacksmith shop, Frank Strong's residence, and the dwelling of J. G. Newington,
occupied by A. L. Shinn, were destroyed. Forty-one horses were burned to death.
The loss amounted to about $22,000, the insurance being only $5,000.

   LASSEN LODGE NO. 149, F. & A. M.—March 21, 1861, the grand master of
California issued a dispensation to John S. Ward, David Titherington, Absalom M.
Vaughn, Richard D. Bass, D. J. Wilmans, Stephen D. Bass, and A. D. McDonald, to
organize a lodge of Masons at Richmond, Honey Lake valley. At that time, owing
to a mining excitement, the town of Richmond had sprung up suddenly into the
most important and populous settlement in the county, completely overshadowing
and distancing Susanville. The first meeting under the dispensation was held
April 18, 1861. A charter was granted in May, 1862, and the lodge was instituted
in due form, June 24, 1862. In October a dispensation was obtained for that
purpose, and the place of meeting was changed to Susanville. This was done
because Richmond had "gone up like a rocket, and come down like a stick," and
Susanville had been left to glory over the decay of her rival. The present
membership is 72, and since its organization 192 persons have belonged to the
lodge. The masters of the lodge have been: John S. Ward, 1861-1869; A. A. Smith,
1870; J. C. Partridge, 1871; J. R. Lockwood, 1872; W. H. Crane, 1873-1877; J. C.
Partridge, 1878-1880; J. W. Hendrick, 1881; James Branham, 1882.

   LASSEN CHAPTER NO. 47, R. A. M.—A dispensation was granted on the fifth of
August, 1874, for the organization of this chapter of Royal Arch Masons at
Susanville. July 23, 1875, the chapter was instituted under the charter by Hon.
Thomas H. Caswell. Allen Wood was installed as H. P.; J. C. Partridge as K.; and
J. R. Lockwood as S. The gentlemen who have held the office of high priest are
General Allen Wood, J. C. Partridge, J. R. Lockwood, E. G. Bangham, and P. J.
Goumaz.

   LASSEN COMMANDEBY NO. 13, K. T.—June 11, 1877, a dispensation was issued to
organize this commandery, with Allen Wood, E. C.; E. S. Talbot, G.; and W. B.
Bransford, C G. The commandery was instituted under the charter April 23, 1878,
by Thomas Callow. There is now a membership of 62. The position of E. C. has
been held by General Allen Wood, E. S. Talbot, A. A. Smith, and J. C. Partridge.
The present incumbent is General Wood.

   SILVER STAR LODGE NO. 135, I. O. O. F.—This lodge was instituted June 19,
1868, by Charles N. Fox, G. M., with Z. N. Spalding, William Brockman, I. J.
Harvey, J. Jansen, Jacob W. Smith, Samuel Peyser, and David Knoch as charter
members. The lodge has now a membership of 52.

   SUSANVILLE ENCAMPMENT NO. 66, I. O. O. F. — D. G. C. P. Applegate organized
this encampment July 5, 1881. The charter members were C. M. Fuller, Z. N.
Spalding, Morris Asher, B. F. Sheldon, Lewis Powers, E. Etzehouse, and Marcus
Nathan. The membership has now increased to 21.

   LAUREL LODGE NO. 134, A. O. U. W.—This lodge was instituted in Susanville,
October 2, 1878, by Harold G. Oliver, D. G. M. W. The charter members were
Wright P. Hall, P. M. W.; William H. Crane, M. W.; Albert G. Cummins, F.; T. H.
Ward, O.; Edward A. Weed, Rec'd; Paul M. Norboe, Fin.; J. D. Newington, Rec'v;
Thomas B. Sanders, G.; George R. Lybarger, I. W.; Samuel Johnson, O. W.; George
Hurley, Med. Ex. The lodge has steadily grown in strength, and in January, 1882,
had 47 members. The gentlemen who have held the position of M. W. are W. H.
Crane, A. B. Cummins, J. G. Newington, T. B. Sanders, M. P. Chamberlin, and W.
T. Masten.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Illustrated History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties

San Francisco: Fariss & Smith
(1882)

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/lassen/history/1882/illustra/susanvil143nms.txt

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