JILL N. ROBBINS
Certified Specialist in Trusts & Estates
Law Office of
Building History
Located in the heart of Historic Uptown Susanville, 800 Main Street has a rich legacy dating back to 1901, when it was built as the Oakes and Philbrook Building—originally housing a furniture store that also crafted coffins. Over the years, it has served many roles vital to the community, including the first Bank of Lassen County (complete with thick concrete vault walls still visible today), a newspaper office, the U.S. Forest Service headquarters, and even the town’s post office. Its historic charm—arched windows, original paneled ceilings, and beautifully restored architecture—makes it a uniquely inspiring and professional office space. Now home to our law practice, 800 Main continues its tradition of serving the people of Susanville, combining historic character with modern purpose.
The Oakes and Philbrook building under construction
Completed in 1901, the furniture store doubled as an undertaker, since making furniture and coffins used the same materials and skill set.
Soapbox Derby
800 Main St serves as the backdrop to this cool photo (50’s?) of a soapbox derby race on the perfect slope of Main St. in Uptown Susanvile. We can see the post that held the shingle sign for the Bank of Lassen County, but the bank is apparently no longer the occupant. A couple other banks occupied the building after the Bank of Lassen County finally closed its doors.
Bank of Lassen County in Later Years
This image shows the Bank of Lassen County with “The Mail” in the back section under the awning. After the first major remodel, we can see the current roofline here, as the building has begun its evolution into its current form. The covered porch with its archways (now enclosed and a part of the gallery) is still open in this shot.
Opening Announcement in the Lassen Advocate
“It is conceded to be one of, if not the most attractive business house, of Susanville.”
The Bank of Lassen County Interior
The Bank of Lassen County occupied the building beginning in 1913. It was the first financial institution In Lassen County.
Vault Construction
Renovations to the building completed by the bank included a vault at the back of the large open room. Sadly the double vault doors that once occupied the space have since been removed, leaving a room with two-foot thick concrete walls that is currently used for storage. There are rumors of a second vault in the little-visited basement of the historic building.
The Basement
The Current state of the basement safe. Deep below the street level entrance, stands the classic safe from the Bank of Lassen County.
800 Main St When we Purchased it
Taken just before we took ownership of the building, this exterior shot shows the building as it was for several years. The red stripe was the result of the last occupant of the building before it sat empty for a couple of years: Verizon Wireless.
Vintage Ceiling During Remodel
Using a green laser to pinpoint hole locations, we snapped this photo of the vintage ceiling while hanging gallery lighting.
Interior During Remodel
We found a set of chandeliers in the basement, and experimented with which ones to use. Eventually the decision was made to replace them all with new fixtures. The back wall partially visible here is the one that once housed the vault doors in the other photos.
Today
After years of dedication and hard work, our office has finally come together as the beautiful space it is today. Sharing a location with Randy Robbins Photography, our law office is proudly situated in a historic building in uptown Susanville.