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Volume XV Issue 69 | Thursday, November 3rd, 2022

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From the Files of the Lassen Historical Society: Fires that Shaped Our Town


by Susan Couso


Humans have had a rather fickle relationship with fire. The force which provides heat and light and cooks our food can also be dangerous, destructive, and deadly.


We’ve taken for granted the usefulness of the flame which warms our homes, lights the way and sparks life in our automobiles, but this same force can break its bonds and extirpate our world.

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Susanville has dealt with this temperamental element since the town was founded. In fact, Isaac Roop, Susanville’s founder, came to Honey Lake Valley in hopes of beginning anew after he lost everything to a fire in Shasta City. On June 14th, 1853, at about 9:00 A.M., Roop lost his hotel, store, and all other possessions.


The loss, which amounted to $10,000, left him penniless.


Roop is said to have laid out the streets of Susanville to include an especially wide main street, in hopes of preventing the spread of embers if and when a fire broke out.


On March 17th, 1865, Roop’s plan was tested. A fire broke out in Wentworth & Wilson’s livery stable on the southeast corner of Main and Gay Streets. It swept eastward, eventually burning every building between Gay and Union Streets except for the Magnolia saloon.


Gone were Freidman’s saloon, Dr. Moody’s drug store, Jacob Smith’s brewery, and several other businesses, as well as dwellings. Without a means to fight the fire, people could only watch as livelihoods and possessions disappeared into the ether. But the flames, even with a southwesterly wind, never crossed Main Street.


The town recovered and things progressed as usual until November 7th, 1881. At about 12:15a.m., Saturday morning, something sparked into flames at Hiram Skadan’s livery stable. The abundant fuel contained in the structure propelled the blaze.


The stable was destroyed, along with sixty horses and the stock of the Oroville & Alturas Stage Company. With the livery in ruins, the fire moved on through Otto’s Blacksmith Shop and the homes of the Frank Strong and Alex Shinn families.


With total losses, there was joy and relief that no one was killed.


At about 2:00a.m., on the morning of September 23rd, 1882, disaster struck again. Judge Hendricks’ wife saw four men run from the woodpile and into the alley behind Simon Blum and Jules Alexander’s store.


The judge went to investigate, and immediately saw flames beginning to disperse from behind the business. The fire spread through Blum & Alexander’s, jumped Main Street and on through two entire blocks of Susanville’s business area, as well as destroying Susanville’s Chinatown.


Gone was the Magnolia Saloon and Cutler Arnold’s old log hotel, the first ‘hotel’ built in Susanville.


Witnesses reported that coal oil had been smeared on the sides of the outbuildings in the alley behind Blum & Alexander’s store. The combustion was efficiently fueled and unstoppable. This fire not only brought terrible losses, but the suspicion that, for the first time in Susanville’s history, someone had intentionally set the blaze.


January 19th, 1883 was a frigid day with very little wind. It was about half past seven in the evening and the thermometer was down near zero as shouts of, “fire”, once again startled the citizens of Susanville.


It all began in Henry Bereman’s new saloon, and rapidly turned to the east. It spread to the jewelry store, barber shop, saddlery shop, and sped on through Mrs. James’ millinery and to the Cohen Bros. General Store.


To the west of Bereman’s establishment was the new ‘fireproof’ store of Blum & Alexander, built after the last conflagration. Blum & Alexander’s store not only survived, but helped to stop the path of the inferno, although several other businesses, including Greehn & Asher and Solomon Nathan’s, were badly marred by the flames. The Steward House, across main Street was saved, but scorched by the intense heat.


Fires continued to plague Susanville. Businesses and homes were razed, and lives were disrupted and devastated.


In January 1885, the town’s first attempt at professional fire suppression emerged when Susanville Hose Company No. One was formed. The volunteers met weekly to learn how to best deal with the recurring problem and to master the fire equipment. Officers included Blum and Alexander, who had a lot of experience with fires, and had shown that their ‘fireproof’ store was worth the extra time and money.


On July 19th, 1893, at 10:00 P.M., the last great Susanville fire of the 19th Century occurred, and it was a true inferno. It began behind the Steward House Hotel on the northwest corner of Main and Gay Streets, and soon decimated the hotel. It then swept across the street to Cain’s Livery Stable which was burned to the ground, killing many horses. A high wind propelled the embers onward at a fantastic pace, beyond control of any human force.


It crossed the streets and continued its eradication of the town, eventually annihilating five blocks of business enterprises and ending at the Masonic Lodge. With the exception of one restaurant, every business in town was vaporized.


Susanville had learned many lessons in the previous 50 years. Though many hundreds of thousands of dollars were lost, the town eventually emerged. And as some moved on, most businesses rebuilt, revamped, and created structures which would much better withstand an approaching blaze.


Most of all, Susanville citizens understood how fortunate they were that through the fires of the past fifty years, not one person had perished.

If you are a fan of our weekly history stories you should join the Lassen County Historical Society!


It’s a fun way to be a part of our county’s rich history. When you sign up, you’ll receive regular Historical Society newsletters with interesting stories and information. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in area history.


Through your membership you help preserve local history.

You can download a membership application by clicking here.

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One of the awesome displays at the 4-H Achievement Afternoon at Sentimental Journey

Lassen County 4H Ambassador’s Corner


by Maddi Johnson and Lily Ammon


Wow! What a great October it has been! 


National 4-H week was a success! Different clubs left treats for teachers at school, gave presentations about 4-H and participated in multiple community service activities.


As 4-H Ambassadors we asked all of the clubs to donate a specific item for gift baskets to honor our Lassen County Fair Board members and Fair Staff.

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Thank you to everyone who attended Lassen County 4-H Achievement Afternoon on October 9th at Sentimental Journey.


Our “Disney in the Barn” event was a lot of fun! As Timon and Pumba we had the lion’s share of the entertainment. 


Thank you again to the McMullen family for sponsoring this great event.


We had a wonderful time playing games, receiving awards, and doing member recognition. Every club participated in the Disney themed scarecrow contest, each representing a different movie.


The Spirit Stick was awarded to the Judge’s Choice entry “Scariel” congratulations to Milford 4-H. 


It was really cool to see the creativity of our membership and adult volunteers. Check out some of the photos we included! 


In November Dyer Mountain 4-H and Standish 4-H will be teaming up to present Lassen County 4-H Favorite Foods Day on Saturday November 19th at the Westwood Community Center.


This is a contest where members can submit one food item (side dish, main dish, dessert) for judging. The theme this year is Bacon & Pumpkin Pie Spice (it can be one or both).


The Lassen County Cattlewomen always give a top scoring award to the best entry that includes beef. There is also a table setting contest that members can participate in as well.


The members must plan a menu around their chosen item and prepare and present the item to a panel of judges. At the end of the event, we all share the leftover goodies! It is a lot of fun. 


Please follow Lassen County 4-H on Facebook to receive up to date information on all of our upcoming events! 

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Lassen Family Services Hosting

Free Cooking Class November 14th


Lassen Family Services will be offering a free cooking class for those on a budget, Monday, November 14th, where you can learn general budgeting tips and how to get food on a budget.


Participants will learn to make wonton tacos in the one-hour class.


The class will be held in the Lassen Family Services kitchen, at 1306 Riverside Drive, from 4:00 to 5:00p.m.


To sign up please call LFS at 1.530.257.4599.

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Susanville Elks Lodge Holding

Free-Throw Competition This Saturday


All students between the ages of 8 and 13 as of April 1st, 2023, are encouraged to warm up their basketball skills and participate in the Susanville Elks Lodge 1487’s upcoming Hoop Shoot competition.


Contestants will shoot a series of free throws at Johnstonville Elementary School on November 5th, starting at 9:00a.m.


Local Winners will go on to compete at state and national programs.


For more information contact Scott at smither1487@gmail.com or at 1.530.289.6343.

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Susanville from Inspiration Point around 1880

Fair at Susanville Wednesdays Races

November 3, 1879


The first race at the Fair grounds Wednesday was running, mile heats, three in five, free for all three-year-olds in the district, for a purse of $200 – first horse $125, second $75.


Three entered Up-and-Up, Sleepy and Duroc. Duroc was lame and was withdrawn. Up-and-Up was the favorite in the pools, and won the first, third and fourth heats. Time, 2.06 – 2:01 – 1 543/4 – 2:11.


The second was a special trotting race, mile heats, three in five for a purse of $300 – first horse $200, second $100.


St. Helenn and Governor Stanford were entered, St. Helenn was favorite in the pools. Governor Stanford won the first heat, and St, Helenn the second, third and fourth. Time 2:34 1/2 – 2 33 3/4 – 2:331/3 – 2:35 3/4

If you are a fan of our daily history stories you should join the Lassen Historical Society! It's a fun way to be a part of our county's rich history. When you sign up you'll receive regular Historical Society newsletters with interesting stories and information. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in area history.

Through your membership you help preserve local history. You can download a membership application by clicking here.

The SusanvilleStuff Team


Jeremy Couso

Owner, Publisher and Editor

Marshel Couso

Owner and General Manager

Ray Couso

Sales and Retention Consultant

Susan Couso

Feature Writer

Terra Avilla

Feature Writer

Shelley Bennett

Feature Writer

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Congratulations to Marie Barker, the

winner of this week's Pizza Factory giveaway!


You too could win a large one-topping pizza from the Susanville or Janesville Pizza Factory locations just by entering our weekly giveaway!


Just click here and follow the link to our handy entry form. You can enter once per day from each email address. We'll announce our weekly winner right here next Monday morning.


The prize is good for take-out or dine-in orders only, sorry no delivery.


Good luck and enjoy that yummy Pizza Factory Pizza!

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