Nighttime at the Orpheum, early 1920’s PJ Thompson studio photograph

He came here from the Loyalton area in about 1912 and set about recording life around Susanville. Thompson was a prolific photographer, and today much of his collection is safely cached at the California State Railroad Museum Library and Archives in Sacramento.

Thompson was born in Germany in 1871 and grew up speaking Danish with his Danish-born parents. But the U.S. was his new home and he became a Naturalized Citizen before marrying his wife, Delia. Delia was not only his wife, but helper in the photography business.

Thompson had acquired several pieces of property around Honey Lake Valley, and also in the Bakersfield area. By 1917 he began selling off the land that he no longer wanted, perhaps in an effort to help finance the building of his new photography studio.

Thompson ascended Mt. Lassen to photograph the newly erupting ‘Crater’ in 1914.

The country around Susanville was thriving, and so was Thompson’s business. In 1919, he made plans for a new home and studio on South Lassen Street. This structure, which still stands today, included a time capsule concealed in the wall. Clearly, Thompson was thinking about the future.

But for P. J. Thompson, life was taking a drastic turn. His body was suffering from Bright’s Disease, a terrible debilitating kidney condition, which, in turn effects other organs. Thompson was dying.

On October 6, 1920, unable to contend with his declining health, Thompson made a decision. A little before eight o’clock in the evening, he told his wife that he was going for a walk. She became concerned and asked for help. Someone reported seeing him walking up toward Inspiration Point, but nothing else. Soon a search party set out to find the missing man.

Melvin Griffin, local merchant, Thomas Massey, the Susanville Marshall and Jack Cook walked the Monticola Trail to the top, and a little after midnight found Thompson. He was lying dead across the trail, the gun still in his mouth. A man of great talent was gone.

Thompson was buried in the Susanville Cemetery. As the newspaper article of the day states, “Peace be with him.”

Delia Thompson tried to keep the business afloat and later married photographer Rufus Edward ‘Ed’ Grimes who had come to Susanville from Colusa County. Grimes, only 47 years old, died in 1925, and once again, Delia was a widow. She struggled on until 1932 when she gave up and sold the business.

Jervie Henry Eastman, who came to Susanville in 1920, purchased many of Thompson’s original negatives and other items, and through reprints, kept Thompson’s name alive.

A Thompson Studios photo of Susanville from Inspiration Point in 1920.

The bags will be available starting this afternoon. Please bring your own shovel.

“If the city previously placed sandbags on your property, and they have been moved or removed, we ask that you replace them as soon as possible.”

If you are experiencing a flooding emergency, please call 9-1-1, your property will be assessed by emergency response personnel, and appropriate action will be taken.

Single-day visitors should use parking areas along the access roads.

“Working with race organizers, we have planned a racecourse that will provide challenges for riders while avoiding areas still recovering from wildfires,” said Emily Ryan, manager of the BLM Eagle Lake Field Office in Susanville. “We are pleased to provide this site for competitive dirt bike riders.”

To reach the Fort Sage OHV Area, take Laver Crossing from east from U. S. Highway 395 just north of Doyle and follow the directional signs about four miles to the Raptor Trailhead.

The Lassen Motorcycle Club and American Motorcyclist Association Division 36 sponsor this race under a special recreation permit from the BLM. The organizers will provide course marshals, and the BLM will provide law enforcement rangers and staff to help monitor the event.

For more information, telephone Marisa Williams at the BLM office in Susanville, 530-252-5303. Visit the BLM website for more information about the Fort Sage Off-Highway Vehicle Area.

Would you like to get outside this summer and make money? Earn some cash while working in our National Forest! The SBTS Youth Program is for you. See Kelli for more information. Don’t be miss out on this unique opportunity.

RYLA Rotary Youth Leadership Awakening is now taking applications for this summer. Juniors and Seniors who are interested in attending this year’s academy can pick up an application form from Shanda in counseling and return to her by March 27th.

Students will be selected by a committee of local Rotarians. For more info call Mrs. Barber 530-257-2703 or email: Zeane.barber@lassenhigh.org

Seniors – the Ultimate Grad Co will be here across from the ASB office today. More than 1/3 of the class still needs to order their cap and gown, class ring, and letterman jackets!

Counseling News New Scholarships are available from the Susanville Teachers Association, Lassen MUD and Lassen Youth Soccer.

These scholarships are due this month: California State Retirees, Julie McQueen Memorial, Lassen FBLA, Monticola Club, Lassen County Farm Bureau.

Current Scholarships include Sagebrush Ranch Horse Association, California Retired Teacher’s Association #76, Beta Sigma Phi Eta-Eta, Christine Burriel Memorial, Lassen County Cattlemen, Stephen Robert Montgomery Memorial, All Season Heating & Air Trade School, Sierra Desert Properties, Lassen County Cattlewomen, Native Daughters of the Golden West, Susanville Basque Club, Peter Lassen, Lassen Fastpitch, Lassen Lighting Softball and Rotary.

Lassen College Scholarships are now open. Information and applications are available in the LCC Financial Aid Department. They are also having a workshop on Wednesday, March 29th in the LCC Student Career and Transfer Center 12- 1pm or 5-6 pm. If you have questions stop by the LHS counseling office.

Convict Work Camp Planned

March 9, 1948

Arthur W. Greeley, supervisor of Lassen National Forest announced in a talk to the Susanville Rotary club Wednesday that a convict camp of 50 is scheduled to be established north of FGS. Co Camp 10 in the Harvey Valley region.

The convicts will do timber improvements in the Lassen forest, including pruning, thinning and improvement cutting. Mr. Greeley explained that timber stand improvement work to be handled by the convicts increased the value of the timber considerably.

Six new members were welcomed into the Susanville Rotary club at Wednesday’s meeting by Past District Governor J. A. Pardee. The new members include: Rev. E. E. Wilson, Jack Boshoff, George Winchester, Leroy Wallace, Dean Murphy and Arthur W. Greeley.