Lassen Historical Museum

Take a trip back through Susanville’s history at the Lassen Historical Museum on Weatherlow Street. The state-of-the-art research and preservation facility houses 160 years of relics related to the history of the Honey Lake Valley. Rare photos, Susanville ephemera and case after case of unique items from the archives help sketch out the history of the area from the days of the gold rush forward. Adjacent to the museum is Roop’s Fort, the oldest structure in town, built in 1854 as a trading post and ranch on the emigrant trail. The cabin is also known as Fort Defiance for the singular role it played in the Sagebrush War of 1863. During the three day conflict Susanville residents fortified themselves in defense against a force from Plumas County. Roop’s cabin looks over Paiute Creek and Memorial Park, where thousands of emigrants camped in wagon trains on their way to the gold fields in the 1850's and 1860's.