Med Arnold in a late 1930’s portrait – Lassen Historical Society

Being the grandson of Susanville’s founder, Isaac Roop, didn’t seem to matter much to Med. He made his own way. He was athletic and smart and dedicated to his community.

As a young boy, he spent his spare time with his school friends, sometimes doing things that he shouldn’t. His escapades as a youth weren’t necessarily bad, but they may have bordered on the delinquent, and they were ‘learning experiences’. Perhaps being the baby of the family gave him a little more freedom than most.

One of the stories of Med’s youth tells of his involvement, with some other boys, in harassing some of the local Chinese community members. Susanville’s Chinatown was located roughly where the Catholic Church is today.

The Chinese were a close-knit group, probably for self-protection. One day Med and one of his friends threw a rock at a Chinese man and hit him in the head. It was all in fun, but not much fun for the victim of the prank.

Unfortunately, the rock hit the man in the head, and he fell to the ground. Med and his friend thought that they had killed him, and left town to try to have an alibi. But on their return, all was well. There was no dead man.

Perhaps these childhood memories and mischievousness were a lesson well earned, for Med turned out to be a very fair and just man.

Med attended Lassen High School where he was student-body president, class poet, athletic manager, and a three-sport athlete. He graduated from the first ‘regular’ Lassen High School class of 1907. In August of 1907, Med left Susanville to attend Stanford University.

Right behind Med went his parents, Alex and Susan Roop Arnold, who rented out their home in Susanville and left their business in capable hands, so that they could protect their baby boy in the outside world.

Maybe this is why Med left Stanford to attend the University of Southern California, where he obtained an athletic scholarship and competed and lettered in football and baseball. At USC he attended the College of Law, and there he learned that he had more than one passion.

He received numerous accolades for his astute understanding of the law as well as his athletic prowess. On June 20,1910 Medford Roop Arnold was admitted to the California State Bar.

Med had met the love of his life back home in Susanville. Zella May Spalding, granddaughter of pioneer doctor Z. N. Spalding, and Med Arnold, grandson of Isaac Roop, married on June 4,1911 at the home of the bride’s parents. They were a very popular young couple who eventually grew their family to include three children: Medford Spalding Arnold, Louis Hall Arnold, and Zellamae Arnold Miles.

Med had grown up on the family fruit and dairy farm in Susanville, and after returning from college, he took over the operation of the family business. He also worked as a bookkeeper. He was appointed Justice of the Peace of the First District shortly after his law school graduation and his return to Susanville. His appointment was to fill the vacancy left by the death of James Branham.

He became City Judge, and was appointed U. S. Court Commissioner. Med Arnold held the position of Commissioner for 48 years, serving until his death. At the time of his death, he was the oldest living U. S. Commissioner in the country.

Med taught high school classes and coached. That was his main passion. It was said that he would conduct City Court early in the morning, teach classes during the day, and coach sports in the afternoons. For over 20 years he coached football, baseball, track, basketball, boxing, wrestling and tumbling… with no assistants.

Med was so well-liked and respected that Lassen High’s ‘Arnold Field’ was named for him in 1939, while he was still working at the high school. Later, Med coached at Lassen Junior College.

In 1944 he retired to become vice-principal at Lassen High and to coach the football team. He helped to form Little League baseball in Susanville and served as the Little League Commissioner for many years.

Med’s stories give us a glimpse back into time at the ‘turn-of-the-century’. His life spanned one of the most changing eras in our history. He saw electricity, telephones and automobiles come to Lassen County, and he must have been amazed by the aerospace industry. From horse-drawn wagons to space flight, Med was there.

He died in 1967, and is buried among many family members in Susanville’s Pioneer Cemetery.

In response Braun made the movie “Artown” in 2009, saying that a good slogan could be: “Susanville: It’s more than prisons.”

“It showcases some of Lassen County’s many artisans as they expressed their crafts in 2009. In this sense, the film is a history of Susanville’s abundant musicians, craftsmen, actors and singers. Even the mail-woman gets involved.”

Braun said that for several reasons he didn’t release the film until now.

“Artown” will get its world premiere November 4th, at 2:00p.m.

Admission is free, however space is limited. According to Jolene Arredondo, VP/Programming Director for the Arts Council, if there is enough interest the council will host a second showing of the film. LCAC is encouraging interested parties to email info@lassencountyartscouncil.org or call the Arts Council at 1.530.257.5222 to reserve space.

Everyone is invited to come down to see what local crafters are offering.

All funds support the Standish 4-H Club.

For more information, please call Virginia 1.530.310.1993 or Melinda at 1.530.310.3178.

Finding a Christmas Tree can be a fun family adventure on the Lassen National Forest ~photo provided

Here in Susanville you can purchase permits at either the Forst Service district office or at Susanville Supermarket IGA. The store is open from 5:00 to 10:00, seven days a week, and permits can be purchased at the customer service desk.

Permits are $10.00 each with a maximum of two permits per household. Your permit allows you to cut your tree until December 25th.

The Forest Service has a fillable order form for mail ordering your Christmas tree permit and detailed instructions can be found at this link. Mail order forms must be received no later than December 9th, for processing.

Though tree cutting is permitted through December 25th, the Forest Service recommend cutting early in the season before higher elevations become snowbound. Trees can stay fresh for several weeks when properly stored but begin to lose moisture as soon as they are cut, so place them in water as soon as possible.

You must follow all Travel Management Rules for motor vehicles when you are out cutting your tree. The Motor Vehicle Use Maps available on our website, show all open roads and trails available for motor vehicle use under these rules.

Please practice good stewardship and be certain the tree you want to cut is located on National Forest lands before you cut it down and ensure the maximum height of the stump left behind is no taller than twelve inches above bare soil, with no live branches on the stump. Topping trees is not permitted.

Tree cutters should be prepared for unpredictable weather changes and colder conditions in higher elevations, especially as the season progresses. A fun family outing can become dangerous for the unprepared during rapidly changing weather patterns.

Plan your trip accordingly: check the weather and road conditions, let someone know where you are going and when you will return, have a full tank of fuel in your vehicle, bring plenty of warm clothes, water, emergency food, tire chains, shovel, a saw, or axe to cut your tree, and a tarp and rope to bring it home.

Please call ahead with any additional questions before purchasing a permit, as all sales are final.

To see office hours, locations, and more information, including maps, a list of local vendors selling Christmas tree cutting permits, and tips for cutting your Christmas tree, check Lassen National Forest’s website.

Susanville in the early 1930’s from Inspiration Point.

Endurance is Aim of Test to Come Here

October 26, 1934

Something new in the way of automobile tests is being promised to Susanville residents by R. Q. Deal, local auto dealer, when the ‘Ruggedness Run,’ being sponsored by the Hudson Terraplane people “comes to town.”

The “Ruggedness Run” is designed primarily as an advertising medium to convince the public of the durability of the car selected to make the driving test.

Approximately one year’s average mileage is put on the car in the space of two weeks and the driving is done over rough roads and routes ordinarily avoided.

The exact date of the machine’s arrival in Susanville has not been released as yet.