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HomeFeaturesFrom the Files of the Lassen Historical Society: The Roop House

From the Files of the Lassen Historical Society: The Roop House

An 1860’s photo of the Roop residence on Main Street

by Susan Couso

For so long people have associated Isaac Roop with Roop’s Fort, and of course they should, but Isaac Roop did not simply stay at his ‘fort’.

When Roop came here in 1853, he had big plans. He claimed the land where uptown Susanville sits today, and he came back the following year to make his dreams come true. He built his cabin on the edge of the Nobles Trail and opened his trading post, which was a welcome relief to the hundreds of emigrants who emerged from the desert in search of much-needed supplies, and a place to rest and recuperate from the arduous journey before their final push towards the mines and valleys of California.

The emigrant trains would camp in what is today Memorial Park and let their livestock spread down to the Susan River to graze. As they healed from the trials of the trail, they pushed on towards their goal.

Roop laid out Susanville’s streets and offered lots for sale to prospective citizens and businessmen. In some cases, he let the land go for free to encourage new growth.

Roop is well remembered for donating the land for the Lassen County Courthouse and the cemetery on Court Street. He also offered the lot for the construction of the Methodist Church for a minimal cost.

In 1862, Roop sold three lots on the north side of Main Street, between Lassen and Gay Streets, to Harry Thompson. Thompson built a house on the land but did little else to improve the place. He then ran out of money before the land was paid for. Roop repossessed the lots and moved into the house.

Roop built fishponds and stocked them with fish from the Susan River. He planted trees and a nice garden, and the Roop house was quite a showplace. It became a fitting home for a man of Roop’s stature.

Roop, of course, became the first governor of the Territory of Nevada in 1861.

This house was where Roop’s daughter, Susan came to live after her move here from Ohio, and she lived in it until her marriage to Alex Arnold in 1864.

In 1869, Roop died of pneumonia, and as building along Susanville’s Main Street boomed, the house was moved away, and the large garden became a building site.

Today, what is left of the original home is situated on the west side of North Lassen Street between Nevada Street and North Street. Little is left to show the original shape of the house.

The Roop house on Lassen Street as it looks now

If you are a fan of our weekly history stories you should join the Lassen County Historical Society! It’s a fun way to be a part of our county’s rich history. When you sign up, you’ll receive regular Historical Society newsletters with interesting stories and information. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in area history.

Through your membership you help preserve local history. You can download a membership application by clicking here.

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