Wendel Remnant False Color

by Mike Lee

Title

Wendel Remnant False Color

Artist

Mike Lee

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photography

Description

This 590 nanometer “false color” near infrared image captures an old abandoned Post Office in the unincorporated community of Wendel in Lassen County California. At times known by a plethora of other names (Upper Hot Springs, Schaeffer Hot Springs, Smithon, Boyd, Hot Springs Station, Purser, Antola and Caloreta.), It got its current name in 1914. Around this time Wendel became a railroad stop for the Nevada and California and Southern Pacific Railroads, which prior to that stopped in near-by Amedee. This change ultimately killed the town of Amedee. The entire Amedee town property was ultimately sold in a 1950 tax sale auction for $32.15 to the only bidders, Jack and Margaret Humphrey. By the mid-1990’s the Western Pacific Railroad, who had operated an 85 short line from Wendel to Likely in Modoc County, received permission to abandon the line and much of the town was demolished.
This post office was established in 1915 and for most of its operational time Aldah Callahan Riesenman (1893-1978) was the post master until she was succeeded by Florence Brandon. It ceased operation in 1993.

Today, not much happens in Wendel, although there are a few folks still calling the area home.

Uploaded

June 12th, 2023

Colors

Embed

Share

Tags