The pass , known initially as Lassen 's Pass ( 1857 map ) or Lassen Pass ( 1864 map ) , was named for Lassen by gold seekers in 1849 who followed the route made by Lassen the previous year . One theory of the name change , from Lassen to Fandango , is that in the 1850s , an Indian massacre may have occurred in the area . The massacre involved a large emigrant train that had camped at the edge of the valley . While the party indulged in a fandango after finding game , grass , and water , it was attacked by Indians . Another theory suggests that Wolverine Rangers camping in the valley found it to be so cold that they burned their wagons for heat and danced a fandango . They named their camp site " Fandango Valley " . Later pioneers who passed the area and saw burned wagons deduced that an Indian massacre had occurred
Indian massacre
List of Indian massacres
Fandango Pass