The cover of the November, 1931 issue of Popular Science

Through the years the vegetation grew, lakes formed, and the crystal-clear creeks brought life to the region. It was a beautiful place. Even as the weary emigrants passed through the area, they were amazed at the beauty.

In 1821, Spanish explorer Luis Arguello spied the 10,451-foot-tall peak and named it St. Jose. It then became Mount St. Joseph. When Peter Lassen, Danish emigrant, and pioneer, made a name for himself by leading emigrants through the rugged terrain, the peak was called Lassen’s Peak in his honor.

In 1912 and again in 1913, John Edward Raker, local attorney who was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, introduced a bill to create Peter Lassen National Park. Neither of these bills stood a chance. Very few people had ever heard of Peter Lassen, and far fewer people had ever visited the area.

So, it sat, beautiful and undisturbed, enjoyed by very few who witnessed its staggering beauty.

Then, on May 30, 1914, Lassen Peak emitted a rumble and an explosion of steam. After 27,000 years, it was awake! Between May of 1914 and May of 1915, there were 180 steam explosions, and a 1,000-foot-wide crater was formed at the top of the peak.

On May 19, 1915, things got even more serious. A new explosion expanded the crater and blocks of glowing lava fell onto the mountain side. The heat from the lava blocks melted the snow and created a mudflow that devastated the surrounding area, and lava filled the crater and spilled over onto low places on the west and northeast sides of the mountain.

On May 22, 1915, an even more forceful explosion sent ash 30,000 miles into the sky and 200 miles away in Winnemucca, Nevada. Along with the ash, pumice rock fragments were shot high into the air. A high-speed avalanche of hot ash, rock fragments and gas swept down the mountainside, destroying everything in its path. The heat from this new flow melted snow and caused massive flooding.

Smaller eruptions continued until 1917, and Lassen Peak became the southernmost active volcano in the Cascade Range and part of the Earth’s Ring of Fire.

The excitement and fascination with a volcanic eruption in California brought renewed interest to Congressman Raker’s wishes to create Peter Lassen National Park. He reintroduced his bill in 1915, and this time it passed.

President Woodrow Wilson signed the bill in August of 1916, and the new, almost 80,000-acre Lassen Volcanic National Park was a reality.

L. W. Collins was the first superintendent of the new park. He was an enthusiastic proponent of the area and insured that many improvements were made to please park visitors.

When a new highway to the area was created in 1931, including a scenic loop through the park, Collins decided to hold a huge celebration to dedicate his then 15-year-old baby. The extravaganza would hopefully attract people to the magnificence of Lassen National Park and highlight the amazing force of a volcano, and to see nature ‘first-hand’.

As part of the three-day celebration, July 24th through 26th, Collins decided to create a faux eruption. This faux eruption would be spurred by tons of explosives and viewed up to 80 miles away. It would be spectacular! Motion pictures would record the event for posterity and the world would be in awe.

The dedication would take place at King’s Creek Meadow, a beautiful place, with the peak looming nearby. As the dignitaries finished their speeches, a signal would be sent to the top of the peak, and the explosives would do the rest.

At about 3:00 P.M., on July 25th, a plume of smoke would be seen spiraling into the sky, and then, at about 9:00 P.M. an explosion of fire would create the Faux eruption.

Not everyone was pleased with this idea. Dr. R. H. Finch, a volcanologist who was stationed at the park and who lived on the side of the mountain, was aghast. They were tampering with nature! He complained that they were using the volcano as a plaything.

Local Native People simply shook their heads in disbelief at the thought of meddling with something as powerful as the earth.

The 50,000 pieces of explosives (at a cost of $15,000) were under the control of engineer Fred G. Hitt. On July 25th, the speakers and onlookers gathered in place at King’s Creek Meadow to view the awesome event.

Congressman Raker, the park’s creator, had died in 1926, but his widow, Iva Spencer Raker attended the dedication, along with many others. The 5,000 expected attendees may have been a bit of an overestimation, but there was still a huge crowd.

At 3:00 P.M., the signal went off and the pyrotechnic experts did their job.

Unfortunately, the plume of smoke was blown away from the crowd by a stiff wind, and the celebrants had no view of it. But they did hear the small ‘boom’ of the explosives.

Later that evening, the major event took place. The thousands of pounds of explosives, controlled by Fred Hitt and his crew, exploded on schedule. The massive blast was described as being nothing like an eruption and caused little excitement. It was somewhat of a ‘fizzle’, but still a good show on a dark night in July.

So, Lassen Volcanic National Park was created in 1916 and dedicated in 1931, and today remains one of the most beautiful and pristine and unvisited National Parks in our country.

A photo of the faux eruption – Plumas County Museum

J and J Performing Arts

J and J Performing Arts is currently offering enrollment in their popular Mommy & Me Classes. The Mommy & Me program is designed for students ages 18-months to three years old.

This is a neat class where a parent, or family member, accompanies their dancer through a class incorporating ballet, acro, jazz and musical expression techniques.

J and J owner Jessica Wade says that this is a great class to introduce movement and music, and to bond with your child through athletic activity.

J and J Performing Arts also offers classes in Ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, hip hop, acro/tumble, and tap. For information visit jandjperformingarts.com or call 1.530.260.1575.

Mountain Yoga Studio

Mountain Yoga Studio has just announced that Saturday morning classes are back. You can now sign up for Saturday Cycle at 8:00 and Yoga at 9:00. Another recently added class is Cycle with Diana Bailey on Wednesday mornings at 5:00.

You can find a full class schedule on their website at www.mountainyogastudio.com or on their Facebook page.

There will also be a special showing on Halloween night, October 31st.

For showtimes and more information click here and visit the theatre’s website.

Is something noteworthy happening with your business? Let us know about it!

Each Thursday morning, we present a round-up of interesting news from

the Lassen County business scene and we want to hear from you.

E-mail your business news to Marshel at mcouso@susanvillestuff.com.

The show, on the steps of the historic Lassen County Courthouse, is always awesome.

Last Day to Enter for Your Chance to Win Susanville Symphony Tickets

The Susanville Symphony’s 20th season kicks off September 24th, with the always-awesome outdoor Concert on the Green on the lawn at the historic courthouse and the deadline to enter to win tickets in our SusanvilleStuff giveaway is rapidly approaching! Make sure you get your entry in before midnight tonight! Winners will be announced right here tomorrow morning.

The Concert on the Green

The first concert of the season is one of the most unique outdoor performances you will ever experience. Playing on the steps of Lassen County’s 105-year-old, historic Courthouse, the Concert on the Green features an eclectic mix of music – classical, pop, rock, funk, big band – in what has become the most well-attended concert of each season.

“This is the one concert that we welcome all children to attend the concert at no charge,” explains Symphony Artistic Director and Conductor Ben Wade.

“Blankets, tables, food, beverages of your choice: come one, come all – this is what makes the evening so vibrant and fun.”

Wade said he is excited about this year’s inclusion of the Susanville City Big Band, who will be performing several exciting numbers to fit the evening outdoor mood.

“As we experience the end of our Indian Summer, Jessica Newton Wade will perform Summertime, the infamous Aria from George Gershwin’s Opera Porgy and Bess. This Opera was written by Gershwin in the 1920s, while he lived in Charleston, NC and the music reflects a blend of both New York Jazz and southern black traditions of praying and street songs.”

Summertime, and the livin’ is easy. Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high.

Wade promises that this lazy ballad and bluesy feel will have you leaning back in your seats soaking up the last of the summer weather.

Other vocal performances will include Phil Fetterman’s rendition of Fever, Abby Datema’s Feeling Good and Minnie the Moocher performed by Craig Harris.

The Big Band will be backed by the famous Rock Star drummer Tony Savage.

There will be a raffle and prizes for those who sign up for season tickets at the Concert on the Green, as well as a prize for the best “dressed” table.

If you buy a season ticket now you will get a discounted price on the five-concert season. General admission to each concert is $30, so if you plan to see them all the $125 season ticket makes sense.

Find out everything you need to know by clicking here and following the link over to the Symphony’s webpage.

The season ticket membership drive is currently open for the Susanville Symphony. If you would like more information about season tickets or membership in the Susanville Symphony, you can follow this link or drop by Susanville Dental Care at 720 Ash Street.

You can purchase tickets for the season, or individual concerts, online at thesusanvillesymphony.com

Individual tickets for the Outdoor Concert are being sold at Margie’s Book Nook.

Would you like to win a pair of tickets? Of course you would!

You can enter once per day, per email address, from now until midnight tonight, September 21st, to win a pair of tickets to the performance. We will announce the name of our ticket winners tomorrow, September 22nd.

Click here to head over to SusanvilleStuff for entry form and contest details.

The big ‘L’ on the mountain north of Susanville is visible in this Eastman Studio aerial photo from 1940

Court Orders Line Resurvey

September 21, 1940

Because Piute Creek, natural former boundary line of certain portions of the Susanville city limits, frequently changes its channel, Superior Judge Ben V. Curler has ordered County Surveyor T. W. Oglivie to re-survey and reestablish the northern and westerner limits of the city.

The matter came to a head when the city instituted a friendly suit against the county of Lasse. The court decided in favor of the city and ordered the re-survey.

The creek was made a boundary line of the city’s corporate limits when the town was organized in 1900.Since then Piute Creek has gone on wintery rampages and shifts about like a cork on a wave.