Modoc County
History
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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Contributed by:
Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds
(Our Family Genealogy)
http://www.rh2o.com