CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL LANDMARK No 14The first building erected in Deep Creek
settlement now Cedarville, was built in 1865 as
a trading post by James Townsend, who
was killed in an Indian fight in 1866.
Purchased by William T. Cressler and
John H. Bonner in 1867, the building was
used as a trading post and general store
until larger quarters were built in 1874.
The mercantile, banking and ranching
firm of Cressler and Bonner played a major
role in the settlement and development
of Surprise Valley and Modoc County.
The land for the Cedarville Park was
donated to Modoc County by descendants
of Mr. Cressler in 1957 and the building
was reconstructed in 1977 in funds
provided by the State Recreational Bond
Act of 1974.