South Fork – The town Destined “Likely-to-Be”
The town of Likely was names partially through bureaucratic bungling.
Situated at the upper end of South Fork Valley it was originally called
“South Fork”. This name was rejected by the post office department in
Washington because there already was a town of that name in California. So
the search began for another suitable name.
Four times the residents gathered in solemn conclave, four times they
decided on a name, four times they sent that name to Washington, D.C., and
four times it came back “rejected”.
At last one of the frustrated citizens stated aloud at the fifth meeting
“It ain’t likely we’ll ever get a name.” Whereupon another, believed to be
James T. Laird, spoke up an said – “Then why not call it “Likely”.” The
Post Office agreed and “Likely” it has been ever since.
The town and area was first settled in the 1870’s and among some of the
illustrious citizens who first name to live here were the Flournoy family,
who had much to do with the development of Modoc County; the Bayley family,
the families of Joe Stone; the Cox Brothers, William and Thomas; the
Haldens; Cooleys, Trumbos; Nelsons; J. T. and Steven Booth; and others.
The town was primarily a stock raising town and during its early life it
was pretty well isolated. Mail came by way of Susanville and Alturas, then
known as Dorris Bridge, and as there was no regular carrier anyone who was
going that way brought the letters when he came back. It was a three day
trip in those days to get from Likely to Susanville.
It really wasn’t until the railroad came through that any reliable means of
transportation was established and in a sense of the word the trams came
just in time. The year was 1917 was a very hard one and if it had not been
for the N. C. & O. bringing in baled hay much of the livestock thereabout
would have starved.
In the summer of 1932 a “new Industry” was discovered in the South Fork –
that of peat. It was cut and shipped to all parts of the country.
Actually the existence of peat had been in evidence for some time, it was
just that its commercial values had not been recognized. Fires set by
purpose or accident were known to have burned for months.
Around the turn of the century the citizens of Likely, at their own expense
and initiative drained the swamp to provide a right of way for the railroad,
yet to come. At that time they also cut two canals which today make, or
assist in making, of one the richest agricultural areas in the state.
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Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds
(Our Family Genealogy)
http://www.rh2o.com
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