Wheels West Day in Susanville History – April 17th, 1946

Diamond Mountain Guest Ranch staff, 1946

Lassen Dude Ranch Planned
April 17th, 1946

Susanville will have a first quality dude ranch a year from this summer, according to J.E. “Jack” Hauskins, who has purchased the former George Wingfield place on Diamond Mountain from C. D. Draucker, and already has started work on making it over into a guest ranch.

Hauskins was the founder and owner of the guest ranch ‘Rio Blanco’ in Colorado until he moved to New Mexico in 1933. He later was manager of the Vermejo Club in that state, said to be the largest guest ranch in the country.

Hauskins said that the former country club property here combines location, fishing, hunting, climate, scenery, accessibility and buildings in an ideal manner. Arrangements have been made to survey part of the ranch into acre home sites and the club also will build 15 double guest cottages to the south of the present building.

By the end of 1946 Hauskins expects to have a clubhouse and other improvements completed. Among the activities to be provided are riding, hiking, swimming, hunting, fishing in the club’s private streams and lakes, skeet shooting, dancing, skiing and trail trips.

With Hauskins at the ranch is his daughter Ruth, and horsemen Jess Clampett. The latter has been training trick horses in southern California for many years. The legal name of the place here will be the Diamond Mountain Guest Ranch, Inc.

We are always looking for new pictures to preserve and share in our historical photo collection and we would love to see yours.Your picture will be added to our digital archive for future use and we will make sure you receive credit whenever possible. Email your contribution along with your name and a short description of what you’ve sent to webxtra@susanvillestuff.com. A digital copy of every submission will also be donated to the Lassen Historical Society for preservation in their files.

Don’t know how to scan your photos? Our friends at the UPS Store have offered to professionally scan your vintage photo submissions for free. Just stop by 2850 Main Street in Susanville and they will be happy to help you.

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