Lassen Land and Trails Trust will present a lively and informative presentation about the Lassen Emigrant Trail by Bob Woods on Thursday, March 31st, at the historic Susanville railroad depot on Richmond road. The presentation, part of the trust’s Discover Lassen program, begins at 7:00p.m., and everyone is invited to a social hour with refreshments beginning at 6:00p.m.
Woods, a former Susanville resident, teacher and city council member, will share his research and travels on the Lassen Emigrant Trail. He became interested in the trail in the 1990s when he was a naturalist-interpreter for the U. S. Forest Service.
While working at the Forest Service’s Almanor Ranger Station, Woods researched and gave presentations about Ishi, the last member of the Yahi Tribe. Motivated by the Lassen Emigrant Trail’s impact on the Yahi, Woods studied and ultimately traveled the trail in 1998. His presentation combines his extensive research, photos and experiences.
The Lassen Emigrant Trail was the most heavily traveled trail from northern Nevada to the gold fields of California between 1849 and 1852. The trail begins near Alturas, follows the Pit River, skirts Westwood, and ultimately ends near Vina in the Sacramento Valley.
Woods explains, “Lassen envisioned a large town on his land grant he named Benton City where gold seekers would settle.” Although Lassen’s Benton City never flourished, the Lassen Emigrant Trail played a key role during the height of the California Gold Rush.
Limited space is available. Registration is free and is first-come, first-served. To register, call Lassen Land and Trails Trust at (530) 257-3252. e-mail [email protected] visit the Lassen Land and Trails Trust Facebook page or join the Trust’s Meet Up group at www.meetup.com/Discover-Lassen.
