Lassen California Information

Lassen County was created on April 1, 1864 after the so-called Sagebrush War ended, a dispute over land boundaries and taxes. The county’s name was derived from Mount Lassen which was in turn named for Peter Lassen, one of General Fremont’s guides and a famous trapper, frontiersman and Indian fighter. He was killed by the Paiutes at the base of the mountain in1859.

Known as the “Land of the Neversweats,” it is located in the northeastern portion of California, the county has a total land area of 12,226 square kilometers, 422 square kilometers of which is water. It has a total population of 34.661; it has 10,729 households with an average household income of $42,213. The county is adjacent to Sierra County on the northeast; Plumas County on the South, Strate County on the West, Modoc County on the north and Washoe County, Nevada on the east. The county seat is in Susanville.

The population density was 3 persons per square kilometers, there were 12,000 housing units per square kilometers. The racial make-up of the county was 80.81% White and the median age was relatively young at 35 years.

A locale the size of Connecticut, Lassen County is an area of forested plateaus, green mountain meadows, snow-capped peaks and a vast open agricultural valley A true outdoor paradise, much of Lassen County is part of the large volcanic plateau that makes up much of northeast California and some portions include Lassen National Forest, Plumas National Forest and Modoc National Forest. Here the granite of the Sierra Nevada, the lava of the Cascades and the Modoc Plateau, and the sagebrush of the Great Basin meet and blend.

The county has so much attractions and activities to offer all year round. In the mountainous western portion, summer camping, hiking, fishing, and water sports complement autumn hunting, winter skiing, ice skating, snowmobiling, and sledding, with spring giving a variety of nature watching opportunities.

Notable sites and attractions are the Lassen National Forest with miles and miles of hiking and horseback trails; the second largest natural lake in the state is Eagle Lake and its' unique setting offers both deep forest and high desert shorelines. It is also well-known as a trout fisherman's paradise and the county is known as a bird hunter's delight with extensive duck, pheasant, geese, chukker, quail and dove populations. Historic Susanville is the commercial center of Lassen County and Westwood, which was once one of the largest company logging towns in the state, has a 22 foot tall statue of Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox. Mountain biking is popular in the county and the 25 mile Bizz Johnson Trail along the Susan River is but one of many popular trails available for biking enthusiasts to explore; there is the Fort Sage Mountains for dirt biking enthusiasts and Skedaddle Mountains for cross country hiking.

If you are the historical type there is the Big Valley Museum in Bieber featuring displays and collections relating to the settlement and development of northeastern California. Also included are exhibits of pioneer life and Native American artifacts of the area. ; the Lassen Historical Museum, rrtifacts native to Lassen County and old time lumbering equipment and tools are on display at the museum. Adjacent to the museum is Roop's Fort, built in 1854. Pictures of Susanville dating back to the mid 1850's and Native American artifacts are displayed.

Breathtaking vistas, lush greeneries; rustic lifestyle quaint communities; affordable lands and small town atmosphere, Lassen takes your breath away and soothes your nagging concerns.