Walking with the ancestors... Uptown murals depict local history
THE UPTOWN MURALS of Susanville not only beautify the city, but they tell the story of its rich history. Walking around Historic Uptown Susanville’s streets, visitors can see the murals have been an attractive addition to the city for travelers and residents alike. For more information on the murals or to get a copy of the recently published book, “Murals of Lassen County,” call the Lassen County Arts Council at (530) 257-5222. “Old Main Street Susanville” To begin the tour of the murals, start with “Old Main Street Susanville.” The mural is located on South Roop and Cottage streets. It was painted by Sterling Hoffman and Lassen High School students. The painting reflects Susanville’s Main Street in 1918. “Ranching” The second mural, on the wall of the building at South Roop and Main streets, was done by Los Angeles artist Art Mortimer. It is called “Ranching.” The painting, completed in 1992, was made after Mortimer was taken around Lassen County by a local rancher and given a collection of old and contemporary photographs, one of which was of the man who had shown Mortimer the ranching lifestyle. “Creating Her History: A Tribute to the Women of Lassen County” The third mural on the tour is a painting done in 1993 by Judith Lowry honoring the Women of Lassen County. It is called “Creating Her History: A Tribute to the Women of Lassen County.” It is located on the Doyle Motors building on Main and North Roop streets and is vibrant with color. “When I was asked to paint a mural for
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my hometown of Susanville,” Lowry explained, “I noticed that there were several murals devoted to the accomplishments of men – loggers, ranchers and local businessmen. I decided to create a mural specifically to honor the women of our area. “This was my first mural. Arthur Mortimer, a visiting L.A. muralist, gave me encouragement and lots of good advice on how to use the grid system to help erect my image onto the wall. However, I had to give up that method since I am more of an intuitive, primitive painter. “In the end, I went out and bought those fat chalks that kids use to draw on the sidewalks, and just climbed up there and drew it all freehand. Then I had to paint on the outlines very quickly before the rain came,” Lowry said.
“Our Ancestors, Our Future” The fourth of the murals is on the corner of Main and Lassen streets. The painting is called “Our Ancestors, Our Future” and was painted by Jean LaMarr and Jack Morotte. It depicts the Native American heritage of this part of the state and the Indians’ unique contribution to the area. Across Main and again on Main Street, the first of Ben Barker’s murals, painted with the assistance of his wife, Leanna Lord Barker, in 1989, is a mural showing Lassen County’s founder, Isaac Roop, with his daughter, Susan, for whom Susanville is named. “Logging with Big Wheels” On the Iron Horse Gym, located between Lassen and Gay streets on Cottage Street, the great history of the logging industry in Lassen County is depicted in sepia tones. The mural was painted by Ben Barker and is called “Logging with Big Wheels.” “History of Lassen” Ben Barker’s second mural, painted with the assistance of Kathleen Colvin, Mary
WISDOM PASSED ON — “Our Ancestors, Our Future” was painted by Jean LaMarre and Jack Morotte, and depicts the area’s rich native heritage. Photo by Brian Taylor
Morphis and Eileen Stevens, is called the “History of Lassen.” It is on the wall inside the Pioneer Saloon located at 724 Main St. In addition, there is a mural spanning 1/2 the length of the building above the bar displaying brands from near and far. “History of Honey Lake Valley” Another mural is called “History of Honey Lake Valley” and was painted by Jackie Cordova. The painting is on the corner of Main and North Gay streets in the Bank of America parking lot. “Dad Popcorn” Also painted by Barker is a mural called “Dad Popcorn,” on Gay Street in Pancera Plaza. Painted in 1993, it is about a local, William Vellenworth, who sold popcorn between 1918-1931 out of his popcorn wagon. Featured in the painting are the Weir kids, who lived in Susanville. One of the Weir girls, about 13 years old in the painting, came to watch the mural being painted. She was 86 years old when the mural was painted. “Mr. Eastman” The mural is “Mr. Eastman.” It is painted on the side of the County Cleaners building. The mural is located halfway between Gay and Union streets on Main Street in the Mt. Lassen Properties parking lot. It depicts the famous photographer who chronicled the early part of the century in Susanville. “Centennial Mural” The last mural on the tour is the largest— located on the south wall of Susanville Supermarket, 50 Grand Ave. Completed in 2003 by local artist Janet Fraser Dickman, it depicts the history of Lassen County, and in particular the city of Susanville. This mural commemorates the town’s centennial from 1900 to 2000. ❖
Lassen County Visitors Guide 2012-13