Near Susanville in Lassen County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Richmond

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 18, 2015

1. Richmond Marker

Inscription. Due to "Gold Fever" and named for Richmond, Virginia by Orlando Streshly in 1859, the town of Richmond grew rapidly until 1861 - becoming the most important and populous settlement in the county "... overshadowing Susanville." Sporting hotels, a tavern and bowling alley, black smith and wagon shops, a large warehouse and the local masonic lodge, the town celebrated with dances whenever possible. Schools were built, goods and services sold, many "dwelling houses" constructed, and one hotel was "the largest structure in the Honey Lake Valley" as the town thrived. In 1861 the mines gave out. By 1862 commerce ceased, the miners left and Richmond died. All that remain are the remnants of a school and water works. Now Emerson Lake Golf Course stands where "Richmond rose like a rocket and fell like a stick."
California Registered Point of Historic Interest No. LAS-003

Erected 1986 by E Clampus Vitus, Never Sweats Chapter #1863. (Marker Number LAS-003.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 40°

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21.879′ N, 120° 38.373′ W. Marker was near Susanville, California, in Lassen County. It could be reached from Wingfield Road near Florence Lane, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 470-835 Wingfield, Susanville CA 96130, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was on California’s Modoc Plateau

and in the Shasta Cascade.

It was also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it was in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Birth of Peter Lassen (approx. 0.9 miles away); Lassen’s Bosquejo Rancho (approx. 0.9 miles away); Burial of Peter Lassen (approx. 0.9 miles away); Peter Lassen In California (approx. 0.9 miles away); Migration of Peter Lassen (approx. 0.9 miles away); Peter Lassen Grave (approx. 0.9 miles away); Susanville Railroad Depot (approx. 3.4 miles away); Susanville Veterans Memorial Building (approx. 3.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Susanville.

More about this marker. The Richmond marker is missing, having been removed several years ago. It was located beside the old Emerson Lake Golf Course Clubhouse. It is now in storage at the Lassen County Historical Society Museum. Current plans are to re-erect it at the intersection of Richmond and Gold Run roads.

The old Emerson Lake Golf Course Clubhouse, former site of the Richmond Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 18, 2015

2. The old Emerson Lake Golf Course Clubhouse, former site of the Richmond Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 718 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 28, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.