120 years ago   

Three short, fat and jolly tourists came over the mountains on buckboards and made Susanville lively for a few hours. Messieurs Lowenburg, Vascellin and Berstein were all shorter than five feet and each weighed more than 200 pounds.

Lassen County’s population as reported in the 1940 census was 14,463, an increase of 1,874 from 1930. The number of farms rose from 472 to 490 during that 10-year period.

45 years ago   

A fire of undetermined origin destroyed a major portion of the plant and lumber inventory of the Eagle Lake Lumber Company. Total losses were estimated at nearly $6 million. Rebuilding and cleanup operations were scheduled as soon as fire and insurance inspectors had covered the area.

30 years ago   

A District 4 supervisor challenger, who received 625 votes in a recent election filed for an official recount of the election results after his campaign fell seven votes short. The challenger said since the election results were so close, it was worth checking to see if there were any errors made during the original count.

20 years ago   

The 1990 season opened quietly at Eagle Lake. Prior to the May 26 opening, officials had expressed fears that the ongoing construction of new boat launch facilities at the Galatin Marina, combined with a lower than normal water level due to the drought would lead to chaos as boaters crowded existing ramps at the popular lake.   

As it turned out, boat traffic was moderate for this year’s unusually quiet opening. Construction at the marina was expected to continue all season.
    
10 years ago   

A former Susanville bank official is apparently free on bail after being arrested last week for allegedly embezzling $170,000 from the facility.   

Susanville Police Department Captain Jason Sterling said Shirley Couch was arrested on a warrant for alleged embezzlement from Tri Counties Bank on Main Street.

Five years ago   

“We have an invasion in Lassen County of what’s called a Mormon cricket,” said Lassen County’s agricultural commissioner Ken Smith. “Over the last three years, they’ve encroached into Lassen County from Washoe County and western Nevada.”   

While the invasion is ample cause for concern, Smith assured county residents agricultural areas have been spared thus far.

A year ago   

Lassen County’s Board of Supervisors approved the concept of building a $10 million performing arts center at the Lassen County Fairgrounds during the board’s May 19 meeting.   

Jim Wolcott, manager of the Lassen County Fair, presented information to the board regarding a request for top priority infrastructure funding that could be available as part of the upcoming economic stimulus package.