Lassen County 



J. E. PARDEE 



LASSEN COUNTY lies in the northeastern part of California along the 

 Nevada line. It is traversed from south to north by the Nevada- 

 California-Oregon Railway (narrow-gauge), which connects at Reno, 

 Nevada, with the Southern Pacific system. The located line of the 

 Western Pacific— in course of construction— runs through the south- 

 ern portion of the county. Susanville, the county seat, is in Honey Lake 

 Valley, a little south of the center of the county. Lassen embraces large 

 areas comprising rich valley lands, suited to agriculture; rolling hills and 

 uplands, affording splendid range for stock; and mountain table-lands cov- 

 ered with timber. 



The county has a population of only about 5,000. It could easily sup- 

 port many times that number. The assessment-roll now foots over five 

 and a half millions. The county has no debt, and the tax-rate is only about 

 $1.60 per $100 valuation. The people are generally well-to-do and pros- 

 perous. The bank at Susanville, with a capital of $50,000, has more than 

 $300,000 on deposit, which shows a condition of easy finances. 



The principal present industries are farming and stock-raising. There 

 are some paying mines in the county, but as a whole Lassen is not mineral. 

 Timber-lands which are not In forest reserves are now generally held in 

 private ownership, but as yet the manufacture of lumber has not been 

 commenced. 



But farming and stock-raising will always be the principal industries 

 of the county. Climate and soil are particularly adapted to them. The 

 altitude of the largest, most fertile and productive valleys, such as Honey 

 Lake Valley, Big Valley, and Long Valley, is a little over 4,000 feet. Other 

 large valleys, like Madeline Plains, Willow Creek Valley, and Secret Valley, 

 are in the neighborhood of 5,000 feet above sea-level. While the high 

 valleys are not as well adapted to general farming as the lower ones, they 

 are quite productive, and well suited to the stock-raising business. The 

 climate generally is similar to that of the northeastern States, so far as 

 range of temperature is concerned, but our summer season is quite dry, 

 making irrigation necessary as a rule. With irrigation, where the altitude 

 is not too great, any of the ordinary products of the temperate zone can 

 be produced in abundance and of fine quality. Apples, pears, cherries, 

 peaches, apricots, and berries of all kinds do splendidly. Of farm products 

 alfalfa is probably the most important, though native grasses, timothy, 

 and redtop are extensively raised. Good hay and grass and pure cold water 

 make the county an ideal one for dairying. There are a number of cream- 

 eries in the county, and their product commands the top price in city 

 markets. Improved farm lands range in price from $25 to $100 or more 

 per acre. 



District schools are scattered all over the county. A county high school 

 is located at Susanville. There are quite a number of churches in the 

 county, including Methodist, Baptist, Catholic, and others. Three weekly 

 newspapers are published— the "Lassen Advocate" and "Lassen Weekly 

 Mail," at Susanville, and the "Big Valley Gazette," at Bieber. 



Susanville is the largest town, with a population of about 1,000. It 

 has a good and abundant water supply and good facilities for fighting 

 fire. Its stores are well stocked, and goods are sold at reasonable prices. 

 Business buildings, as a rule, are substantial, and residences handsome. 



Lassen County has a range of temperature wide enough to give a 

 pleasing variety to the seasons. Health conditions are fine. Pulmonary dis- 

 eases are very rare, and malaria almost unknown. There are still large 

 quantities of public land open to entry, which with water for irrigation will 

 make good farms and homes. There is plenty of water to irrigate these 

 lands. 



