The first building erected in the 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. William T. Cressler and John H. Bonner purchased it in 1867 and used it as a trading post and general store until larger quarters were built in 1874. Their mercantile, banking, and ranching firm played a major role in the settlement and development of Surprise Valley and Modoc County. Descendants of Mr. Gressler donated the land for Cedarville Park to Modoc County in 1957, and the building was reconstructed in 1977 with funds provided by The State Recreational Bond Act of 1974.