Lassen County History
Illustrated History of PLUMAS, LASSEN & SIERRA Counties
with CALIFORNIA from 1513 to 1850, Farriss & Smith, 1882, San Francisco

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper, Oct 2009

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format 
for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or 
organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial 
purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, 
OR the legal representative of the submitter. All persons donating 
to this site retain the rights to their own work.


JANESVILLE. 

The little town of Janesville is pleasantly situated in the edge of the timber, four miles 
west of the upper end of Honey lake. It lies at the base of the beautiful Sierra, which 
rise above it on the south. It is about twelve miles south of Susanville, on the road to 
Reno, and on the south side of an arm of Honey Lake valley which lies along Baxter creek. 

In the spring of 1857 Thomas Mitchell located a section of land in which was embraced 
the site of the present town of Janesville. He sold it that fall to Malcom Bankhead, and 
the new proprietor erected a two-story house of hewn logs, on the ground now occupied 
by J. E. Bailey's hotel. Bankhead was a blacksmith by trade, and built a shop near the 
creek, on the opposite side of Main street, in which he worked for a number of years. The 
next residence was built in 1858 by Smith Hill. It, too, was a log house, and stood on the 
opposite side of the street from its predecessor. In 1862 David Blanchard opened a general 
merchandise store, and in 1864 sold it to L. N. Breed. In 1873 Mr. Breed built a new store 
across the street from the old one, and still conducts the only merchandising business in 
the town. The second story of his new building he fitted up for a hall, and Odd Fellows, 
Masonic, and Workmen lodges hold their meetings there. In 1867 there was opened a second 
store, but it was discontinued a year later. There were, for a time, two saloons, but one of
them closed its doors. 

During the Indian troubles in the early settlement times, a log fort was built just north-west of 
where the town now stands. This was used as a place of refuge in time of danger. Later it was 
converted into a school-house, and served as the seat of learning for the vicinity until 1867, 
when the present school building was erected. 

Until 1864 Janesville was simply known as the Bankhead place; but during that year a post- office 
was established, and a name was necessary. Mr. Breed, the present incumbent, was appointed 
postmaster; and in honor of Mrs. Jane Bankhead, the first lady who lived there, the new town 
was called Janesville. The town now contains L. N. Breed's store, J. R. Bailey's hotel, a saloon, 
post- office, fraternal hall, school-house, and about two dozen residences. 

HONEY LAKE LODGE No. 223, I. O. O. F. This lodge was chartered October 14, 1873, B. F. 
Sheldon, Jerry Bond, P. R. James, William M. McClelland, and Charles Barham being the charter 
members. The lodge has now a membership of thirty, and the past grands are B. F. Sheldon, 
P. R. James, L. N. Breed, A. Otto. Jerry Bond, and T. R. Epley. 

JANESVILLE LODGE No. 232, F. & A. M. A dispensation was granted this lodge November 
23, 1873, and a charter October 16, 1874. The charter members were: A. G. Moon, W. M.; John D. Kelley, 
S. W.; L. N. Breed, J. W.; T. R. Epley, Richard Bass, G. Pullen, E. T. Slackford, B. 
H. Leavitt, John E. Fitch, W. H. Clark, E. J. Hendrick, Jeremiah Leakey, A. Otto, John Parks, 
James P. Sharp, John Theodore, H. Winchell, Nicholas Clark, G. K. Bangham, A. G. Bechtol, 
James D. Byers, Andrew Dill, J. D. Hamler, B. D. Minckler, W. D. Minckler, E. C. Parks, George M. Pierce, 
and B. F. Sheldon. The membership is now forty. L. N. Breed, H. Winchell, and 
Jeremiah Leakey have held the office of master in this lodge. 

LAKE LODGE No. 135, A. O. U. W. 'The charter of this lodge was issued October 7, 1879. 
The charter members were Milton Santee, Hosea A. Bronson, S. M. White, T. J. Glascock, A. G. Bechtol, 
Charles Hartson, J. R. Bailey, A. Otto, Charles Barham, and M. P. Chamberlin. The 
past master workmen are Milton Santee, P. B. Bronson, and John T. Masten. 
The present membership is seventeen.