Modoc County  where the West still lives
Prior to John Fremont's visit to what is now Modoc County and later occupation by the US Army, this beautiful land was inhabited by the Achomawi (Pit River tribe), the Modocs in the northern regions, and the Paiutes, who lived mostly east of the Warner Mountains.   Many locations, public and secret,  throughout the county commemorate  the successful life ways of these hunter gatherer tribes.   The Modoc County museum, in Alturas, contains much history about hunting, farming, religion, and culture of the Achomawi, the Modocs, and the Paiutes. 

 The 1840s brought the first white pioneers who crossed Fandango Pass on the way to California and Oregon.   The Applegate and Lassen Trails met on Fandango Pass, with the Oregon Trail crossing Goose Lake north to Oregon, and the Applegate Trail heading south from the lake toward Susanville.   Many settlers remained in Surprise Valley, to the east of the Warner Mountains.  Later, many families returned to the Warm Springs Valley to farm and ranch.  The Dorris family settled in the valley in 1870 and established the community of Dorris Bridge. 

Modoc County was separated from Siskiyou County in 1874.   Discussion about the county's name ranged from Canby to Summit.  It is an interesting note that the citizens finally rejected Canby in favor of Modoc, after the Modocs who stood off General Canby for several months during the Modoc Wars.
According to the 2001 US Census, there are about 9,300 people in Modoc County; there are about 25,000 cattle.

To the north of Modoc County lies Oregon; to the east is Nevada.  Lassen County is south, and Siskiyou County lies west of Modoc.  There are 2,750,000 acres in Modoc County, with over 70 percent of that land belonging to the state and federal governments.

Alturas--the Modoc county seat 

Alturas was originally called Dorris Bridge, but since a town north of Alturas was also named Dorris, in 1876, the community elected to change the name to Alturas.  Some say "Alturas" means "high land."  or "high valley."  "Alta" indeed means "high" but the accuracy of the rest of the claim  remains a mystery.    Dean Neer Modoc Realty sits on the south side of the Pit River, next to the modernized Dorris Bridge.
Two historic landmarks in Alturas are:  the  Niles Hotel, built in 1908, and purchased in 1912 by J. E. Niles.   It was  lovingly restored and enriched in the 1970s and 1980s by Steve and Cheryl Baker, and is now owned by the Vass family.    Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the oldest original standing church in Modoc,  was quarried from local stone, as was Al Arena's welding shop, originally a blacksmith enterprise. 

This old Southern Pacific steam driven engine, the last to be used in this area,   was retired in the 1950s.  It sits at the southern end of Alturas in Rachel Dorris Park.

Families who live on Josephine Street and east 4th Street enjoy this view of the Warners, the Pit River, and the grassy meadows that stretch for miles.  The silvery crop in the foreground is oats.

Hop vines are traditionally planted on the south side of this Victorian house, originally built by the Flournoy family.  When Dean was a boy, he, Danny Dorris, and friends had the annual chore, assigned by Mrs. Dorris, to pull down the hops every fall.

Likely  Gateway to the Warner Mountains

The story goes that residents of this ranching community sat around a fire one evening, discussing the name for their town.  Someone said, "It's a likely place for a town, and Likely is a likely name for it."  The name stuck.    The south fork of the Pit River meanders westward from Jess Valley through Likely, then north to Alturas.  The town is shaded with ancient poplars and the homes along the main street, (Highway 395) are attractive with handsome gardens.  Likely has a busy general store and a restaurant--The Most Likely Cafe--used by residents and travelers. 

Lookout with the most extensive collection of classic cars in the county
Riverside at Whitley's Ford on the Pit River was the first name for this settlement in the northern part of Big Valley.  At first it thrived, with nine business in the town, but when activities shifted to other parts of the valley, the town declined.  In the late 1870s and 1880s, the town was revived and rechristened as Lookout.  The blacksmith shop, still standing was built by J. W. Leventon in 1888.   In 1901, Lookout received national attention for the "Lookout Lynchings," during which a family of thieves was taken from the local jail and hanged from the Pit River Bridge.  Today the community shows its pride with a wildflower garden at the entrance to the town. 

                           Day  best kept secret in Modoc County
                                        (even from most Modoc-ers)
When the highway brings one to the tiny town of Day, in the southwest corner of Modoc County, the view of the Little HotSprings Valley, with both Mt. Lassen and Mt. Shasta on the horizons, dominates the town.  The dominant architecture in Day is a private residence built on an impressive foundation of local stone.       The Lorenzen family has maintained an official US Weather rain guage in Day, since 1940--for three generations.  Average yearly rainfall is 23.79 inches.

No longer in use, but still standing is the Day Post Office, built in 1888.                                               

                                                                  Adin

On the southern edge of Modoc County sits the shady town of Adin.  Founded in the late 1800s by Adin McDowell, this lovely little town has a strong community spirit.   The Adin Community Bible Church, established in 1888, is the home of almost every important community event.    The Old General Store, built in 1906, stocks everything from antiques to video tapes.    Dean Neer's grandfather and Uncle Joe Steele both kept books for the store in the early years of the 20th century.  Uncle Jimmy taught in the local schools and lived his entire life in the Adin area.  Uncle Jimmy's daughter, Bunny Hawkins remains an active part of the communityand her husband, Norman, makes sure that the flower baskets are blooming all summer.  Ash Creek runs through the center of town, just south of the welcome sign that says, "The community that cares." 

The Adin Store is the center of Adin activity.   The excellent meat counter, the deli, and the antiques section are drawing points for the community and travelers.  You'll usually find Steve Gagnon there, cutting the steaks or making the sandwiches himself.   

Fort Bidwell--north Surprise Valley
 In the far northeastern corner of Modoc County, Fort Bidwell is a small and traditional  community of ranchers and Paiutes.  The town, named for John Bidwell, was established in 1865. The Bidwell fort, which operated until 1893, was one of the last early military posts north of Benicia to be abandoned. From 1898 to 1930, the fort served as a non-reservation boarding school for Indian children in the area.  There is nothing left of the army barracks that gave the town its name.    The Fort Bidwell school sits on a hill north of town, but Fort Bidwell children are bused to Cedarville.   

Dean's mother Katie Steele Neer and her two sisters, Rhoda and Grace taught at the school in the 1920s.   Katie lived 90 miles away in Adin, and traveled home on weekends, sometimes in a horse drawn sleigh.  (Rhoda later taught in Newell at the WWII concentration camp.   Like

 Like Lake City, Fort Bidwell is wooded and secluded.  Several homes are located along Bidwell Creek, which flows through the center of town.





One of the loveliest gardens in Fort Bidwell belongs to Susie Fee.  More photos celebrating her talent will follow soon.

Davis Creek--on the southern end of Goose Lake

The Davis Creek area was developed in the 1920s with hopes of apple orchards and small farm subdivisions.  There are a few ancient trees left, but most are gone.   Davis Creek, like other towns in Modoc County, is a small ranching and farming community.  Horses graze in town lots and cattle forage in bordering pastures. 

  The Davis Creek store serves as a gathering place for the local people.  There is a small restaurant, which serves excellent homemade food.  The cheeseburgers are outstanding.  The mercantile offers gasoline, groceries, and drygoods.  The owners are friendly and eager to share county lore with visitors.

       New Pine Creek--on the Oregon border  of Modoc County
New Pine Creek  lies just over Fandango Pass from Fort Bidwell.    On the state border, part of New Pine Creek is in California, and part in Oregon.      The community is the gateway to two beautiful mountain lakes:  Lily Lake and Cave Lake, and it sits on the shores of Goose Lake.      Several antique businesses and a general store are active in the town.     A few miles south of New Pine Creek is Stringer Wild Plum Orchard and Winery.  It is worth a stop for their excellent preserves and syrups.