History Tours & Treasures – Lassen Volcanic National Park
April 4, 2015 by: Sharon Roberts
MAY 2015
Lassen-Feather River History Month
Lassen Volcanic National Park and communities in Lassen and Plumas County that surround the Park and the Lake Almanor Basin are working together to bring you a full month of special history related activities.
Between visiting the local museums and special programs planned during the month there is always time to just sit back and enjoy to tranquility and beauty of the mountains.
Take in a hike or two on one of great hiking trails in the area. Lassen Park has over 150 miles of hiking trails within park boundaries. Lake Almanor has a wonderful 12 mile paved recreation trail along the west side of Lake Almanor. There are many other trails available in both the Lassen and Plumas National Forest and the Bizz Johnson Trail between Westwood and Susanville.
History Month Begins May 8th in Westwood
Visit the Westwood Museum
The History Month activities kick off in the community of Westwood on May 8thwith an Italian dinner at the Calvary Chapel at 6 pm. Proceeds will help benefit the Westwood Museum. Marilyn Quadrio will give a presentation on the History of Red River Company and the building of the Lake Almanor Dam completed in 1914. Cost for dinner and presentation is $12.00.
Grand Opening of the Westwood Museum for the summer season will be May 9th from 11 am – 4pm. Entrance will be free for the day.
May 16 & 17th Greenville and Indian Valley History of the 1940’s
Cy-Hall Memorial Museum in Greenville
The weekend of May 16th and 17thGreenville will be featuring Indian Valley history during the 1940’s. Local residents who lived in the area in the 1940’s will be giving 1st hand stories of events, including history from the Maidu perspective.
Greenville and Indian Valley will also have their famous Valley wide yard sale bonanza which has been a local favorite for over 25 years. Usually there are over 30 individual locations participating, with special treasures to be found.
Barn Quilt Tour of Plumas County
8 Original Barn Quilts of Plumas County by Nansi Lillian Bohne
While driving between locations take time to view the wildflowers in the meadows and the beautiful Barn Quilts located on many of the Barns in the area. Local merchants will gladly share the locations of their favorite Barn Quilt with you.
Map of Quincy Barn Quilts
Ca State Historic Marker No. 184
Look for the historic marker of Peter Lassen’s 1850 Trading Post. It is State Landmark No. 184 and is located on the North side of North Valley Road about 4 ½ miles from downtown Greenville.
More history on Plumas County.
Young’s Market is inside a two story brick building on the corner of Main and Nelson Streets in Taylorsville. It is ell worth a stop just to see the working 100 + year old cash register. The store also makes great sandwiches that you can enjoy on site or take with you for a picnic.
History of the Eruptions of Lassen
Lassen Eruption seen from Red Bluff, California
May 22, 1915, was the explosive eruption of Lassen Peak. This eruption devasted nearby areas (much of the devastation can still be seen in the park 100 years later) and rained volcanic ash as far away as 200 miles to the east. More photos of the eruptions of 1914 and 1915.
Honoring this event 100 years later Lassen Volcanic National Park has scheduled several special presentations by the USGS and park staff starting on May 20th and continuing through May 25th.
May 22 and 23rd there will be a special evening program 9:30 – 11 pm of Night Sky Viewing from the Devasted Area led by park rangers. Our National Parks are one of the last places to enjoy the night skies without interference of light pollution
Please visit the Lassen Park website for specific details of all the special events planned both at the south and north entrance of the park as well as at the Devasted Area for Memorial Weekend.
Other Memorial Weekend Events in Chester and Greenville
The Rotary Club of Chester will be hosting their Annual Memorial Weekend Craft Fair at the Chester Park, next to the Feather River.
Indian Valley will be hosting the Indian Valley Century Bike Ride on the 23rd of May. The ride begins at the Greenville High School and has 3 different lengths for you to choose from.
Memorial Weekend is always a busy time in the Lake Almanor Basin. Make your lodging reservations early. Bikes, Kayaks, Paddle Boards, Jet Skis and speed boats are all available to rent either in Chester or on Lake Almanor beginning Memorial Weekend.
May 29th -31st History of the Early Days of Chester and Big Meadows
Chester in the early days
May 29th – 31st Chester has a full weekend of events planned for your enjoyment starting Friday night with a presentation on Chester and its Pioneer families with a special collection of photographs of the people and places in the early years of Chester. This presentation will be given by the local historian and author of Big Meadows and Lake Almanor, Marilyn Quadrio.
Saturday morning Lassen Park staff will visit Chester with a special kid friendly presentation about Volcanoes. You will learn about the different types of Volcanoes and where to find each type in Lassen Park.
Saturday afternoon take a self guided tour of Collins Nature Walk. Visit Collins Museum for an overview of the Collins Family Lumber operation from 1855 to present day. Terry Collins will be giving the presentation personally.
Olsen Barn
Old Town Chester will be hosting a Beer Stroll with proceeds to help Save the Olsen Barn on Saturday from 4-7 pm. This is a great time to visit the one of kind stores in Old Town, visit the Olsen Barn, and taste some great beer.
Feather River Land Trust is in the process of purchasing 107 acres on the eastern edge of Chester. With the purchase of this land the Land Trust will be able to save the iconic Olsen Barn, built by Peter Olsen, in the 1860’s.
Prints available for purchase.
The Feather River Land Trust has met the first deadline of raising 65,000 by April 10th. They will still need to raise another 781,000 by Sept 26th to complete the deal. To make donations please visit the website for the Feather River Land Trust at: www.frlt.org/saveolsenbarn.
Marilyn Quadrio will be giving a second presentation of the History of Chester’s Pioneer Families at the Memorial Hall Saturday afternoon at the Memorial Hall from 4 – 5 pm.
On Sunday come visit the St. Bernard Lodge and tour the Park Forty Interpretive Trail jut off the PCT. Terry Collins will give guided tours of the trail between 1-2 pm. Shuttles will be available between 12:45 and 2:30 from the St. Bernard Lodge and the Park 40 Trailhead. Parking is very limited at the trailhead.
If you would like lunch or dinner at the St. Bernard Lodge please make reservations one day in advance. The St. Bernard Lodge is also a great place to spend the weekend.
Visit the St. Bernard Lodge for early history of the lodge
St. Bernard Lodge Then
St. Bernard Lodge Now
For more information on any of the events please give us a call at 530-258-3382. We will be glad to help you plan your visit to Lassen Park and the Lake Almanor Basin.
More details on each of these events can also be found on the Mountain Affairs website.
May, will be a very special month this year in the Lake Almanor Basin and Lassen Volcanic National Park. Our mountain communities are looking forward to having you visit and learn about the local history.