Updated 8/1/26

What follows is not meant to be the all-encompassing final word on the narrative of Bucks Lake and the surrounding areas, but a collection of notes and stories of things, people and places that I find interesting. Their "footsteps" and "foundations" can still be seen today if you know where to look.  You can't spell history without "story" and those stories surround us. These also answer some of the many questions I regularly get from visitors onboard my boat. ​I hope you enjoy the look back.
* Note: As more stories are assembled this page will be update with the new information so be sure to check in.*

The Early Inhabitants  

miadu indians use of the valley

Early Settlement

The year is 1850, and gold was on the mind of many people. Wild tales of lakes north and east of Marysville Ca, their shores lined with gold sent people scurrying into the mountains to seek their fortunes and strike it rich. Months of searching turned up no such lakes and hundreds of disappointed prospectors spread out across the mountains and valleys in hopes of finding gold in the drainages of the Feather River. Gold was discovered at Rich Bar on the North Fork of the Feather River in June1850, later that year three men would settle in a lush mountain valley known by several names. In September of 1850 Horace Bucklin, Jesse Healy and Francis Walker took out the original land claim on this valley known as "Pleasant Valley" or "Rich Valley". The valley was stratigicaly located along the routes in and out of the gold diggings and the perfect place to graze and rest tired stock along the trail.

By March of 1851 Horace "Buck" Bucklin had moved on to other ventures, but not before leaving his nickname Buck on the valley. Several new people by the names of Fairchild and Van Vechten had joined Walker and Healy in Bucks Valley, entering into a partnership selling food, drink, lodging and goods to gold miners on their way to and from the gold fields. By 1852 Healy and Fairchild were the owners following several buy outs of the other partners. The new partnership fenced the entire valley and christened the land Rich Valley Ranch. More partnership troubles saw Healy leave and several others come and go until the Fairchilds became the sole owners. In 1854 construction was completed of a "Large New Hotel" built of "huge" logs. The foundation of Bucks Hotel can still be seen directly below Bucks Marina during low water periods at the lake. Several additional barns and buildings were added as well, The Fairchilds continued business at Rich Valley Ranch until they sold out to Clark Shannon & Company of Meadow Valley in 1859. A series of bad investments and risky business ventures caused the collapse of Clark Shannon and Company in 1861 effectively ending their ownership of the ventures at the ranch.

In 1861, to go along with the store, hotel, stage station and cattle operation, a post office was established.

Historical marker near present day Bucks Lake Marina.

A Lake Is Created 

Hydroelectric Power

The premise is simple, take water from a storage reservoir, flow it into pipes and create pressure by dropping it in elevation. The once tranquil water of Bucks Lake is now a high pressure, focused energy source.

A view down the penstocks, into the Feather River Canyon, headed to the Bucks Creek Powerhouse.

Bucks Creek Powerhouse located in the Feather River Canyon.

The Lodges Of Bucks Lake

Bucks Lake Lodge

An early view of the dining room at Bucks Lake Lodge.

Established in 1929 by Ed Lane

Lakeshore Resort

Haskins Valley Resort

Haskins Valley Inn

Built in 1993 by Ken and Dixie Nelson

Bucks Lake Marina

Research Credits and Contributions:
Plumas County Museum
Scott Lawson
Steve Hubbard
​Photo Credit:
UC Davis Special Collections
​CSU Chico Digital Collections
​Plumas County Museum
​Noyes Family Collection
Bryan Roccucci