Exploring Shasta County history by Jeremy M. Tuggle
Welcome to Exploring Shasta County history...
With this blog, I am bringing to life the stories of the early day pioneers and some of the oft-forgotten history of a bygone era in Shasta County, California. I'll also focus on important events after the turn of the 20th century. I would like to reflect upon current historical sites of the modern age as well.
This is copyrighted by Jeremy M. Tuggle.
Have you ever dreamed about being larger than life? Well, Archibald Campbell did too, and during his lifetime from 1830-1883. Campbell made his life public by becoming employed with the John Robinson Circus, as a circus clown under the stage name of Archie the Clown, while performing nationwide. There wasn't a Big Top tent or a sawdust arena that he didn't perform in during his lifetime. He was also a Civil War soldier fighting for the Union Army and was captured by the Confederate Army during the War of the Rebellion. Campbell served time as a prisoner at the deadliest military prison of its era... the Andersonville Prison. He was well-liked, and he enjoyed making people laugh, he was also known as a gentleman's clown, and his career was the stuff of legend and legacy as he made it into the International Circus Hall of Fame.
The next circus act was Archie the Clown's co-worker born Thomas Williams (1862-1883) who did daring stunts under his stage name as Zenobia in front of sold-out audience’s nationwide. His cause of death was horrific as you will find out more about Campbell and Williams in my newest video to date. No photographs of these men seem to exist at the time of publishing this video, hopefully, in the future that changes. Both circus performers died in Redding, California, and are buried at the Redding Memorial Park. Find out more in the video.
RESOURCES:
Archie Campbell - The Cincinatti Enquirer newspaper of Cincinatti, Ohio, October 29, 1877
Elephants and Things - The Cincinnati Enquirer newspaper of Cincinatti, Ohio, Nov 26, 1880
About Elephants - The Daily Inter Ocean newspaper of Chicago, Illinois, December 14, 1880
Archie Campbell - The Cowley County Monitor newspaper of Winifred, Kansas, May 21, 1881
Robinson’s Circus Route - The Chico Weekly Enterprise newspaper of Chico, July 28, 1882
Low Low Not Dead - The Truckee Republican newspaper of Truckee, August 5, 1882
Circus Clowns - The Weekly Butte Record newspaper of Chico, August 5, 1882
Death of Archie Campbell - The Daily Nonpareil newspaper of Council, August 13, 1882
Amusements - The Cincinatti Enquirer newspaper of Cincinatti, Ohio, August 8, 1882
A Clowns Remains - The Weekly Butte Record newspaper of Chico, January 27, 1883
The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, February 3, 1883
A Sad Death - The Tocsin newspaper of Red Bluff, August 25, 1883
Zenobia's Frightfull Death - The Weekly Butte Record newspaper of Chico, August 25, 1883
The Show - The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 25, 1883
Foolhardy Feats - The Napa Register newspaper of Napa, September 7, 1883
A Small Salary - The Weekly Butte Record newspaper of Chico, September 8, 1883
The Dead Circus Man - The Chico Weekley Enterprise newspaper of Chico, August 31, 1883
The Sutter County Farmer newspaper of Yuba City, August 31, 1883
The Dead Actor - The Weekly Butte Record newspaper of Chico, September 1, 1883
The Placer Argus newspaper of Auburn, September 6, 1883
Foolhardy Feats - The Napa Register newspaper of Napa, September 7, 1883
A Monument - The Weekly Butte Record newspaper of Chico, September 16, 1883
The Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 9, 1890
The Napa Register newspaper of Napa, August 29, 1890
Old And Present Times - The Democrat-Reporter newspaper of Linden, Alabama, May 21, 1946
More than likely, you have been to this historic site within the City of Redding and know of its history but this presentation complete with photographs and video contains in-depth information and provides a much deeper look at the history of Diestelhorst’s River Camp, also known as the Diestelhorst auto camp which was established by John Diestelhorst in 1921. Diestelhorst was member of a Shasta County pioneer family. This site is one of the last surviving relics of a historic property in Redding, and one that contributed to the historic Route Highway 99, also known as the Pacific Highway, which became a luxurious roadside rest stop with swimming accessibility, dancing, concerts, and ample accommodations for automobiles along the scenic highway next to the state highway bridge. This site hosted many weary travelers utilizing this route over the years and business boomed for Diestelhorst. Find out more at the video above.
Resources:
Burning Chimney Fired a Dwelling - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 18, 1905
City Trustees Accept Plans for New Bridge - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, February 17, 1914
Bridge Plans Ready for Commissions O.K. - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 17, 1914
A.V. Saph - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, February 20, 1914
No Report on Bridge - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, March 12, 1914
Work On New Bridge Will Commence June 20 - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 12, 1914
George Baker Serves Notice on Redding - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 8, 1914
Baker's Cable Pole Is Taken Down - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 11, 1914
Many Men at Work on Redding Bridge - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 11, 1914
Bring them through Redding - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 3, 1915
George Baker First - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 30, 1915
Crosses Bridge - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, July 30, 1915
City Begins Suit Against County - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, December 3, 1915
Contractors Commence on State Highways - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, September 25, 1917
Get Busy on the Auto Park - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, February 26, 1919
Redding and the Chamber of Commerce - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Redding, September 23, 1919
Failure to Build Free Auto Camping Grounds Is Causing City to Lose $40 Per Day - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 10, 1919
Free Auto Camp Open - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 22, 1920
Free Auto Camp Open - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, April 22, 1920
Showing of Tractors at Campground - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, September 24, 1920
Making Automobile Park Along River - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 25, 1921
Auto Campground - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, June 25, 1921
The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, June 30, 1921
Arch for Campground - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, July 15, 1921
Redding Has Finest Summer Camp in the North - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 16, 1921
Campers Attention - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 17, 1921
Enterprising - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 19, 1921
Favor Charge at Auto Camp This Summer - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 8, 1922
Classified Section - For Sale - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 20, 1922
Diestelhorst is to Have Large Open-Air Dance - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, California, April 17, 1923
Redding Will Hold Water Carnival in Old Swimming Hole - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 22, 1923
Dance Platform at River Soon Complete - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 15, 1923
Redding Will Hold Water Carnival in Old Swimming Hole - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 22, 1923
The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 16, 1923
Diestelhorst Gets Old Street Area - The Courier-Free Press of Redding, March 25, 1924
Impersonates Officer; Robs Campground - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 29, 1926
Sheriff Nabes Thief Suspect - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, October 29, 1926
Campground Thief - The Courier-Free Press of Redding, October 29, 1926
Sneak Thief Caught - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 30, 1926
Officers Busy on Traffic Mishaps - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, September 1, 1930
Flood Stage Reached by River; Inundation Near at Diestelhorst Place - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 15, 1936
Tension Relaxed as Respite Comes in Heavy Storms; River Is Falling - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 16, 1936
City Wins in Suit Over Right Away - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 7, 1936
Land for Span Is Purchased - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 24, 1938
The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 2, 1940
Redding Isolated - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, February 28, 1940
The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, March 1, 1940
Pictorial Story of Area's Greatest Flood - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 2, 1940
John Diestelhorst, Redding Pioneer, Dies - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 11, 1944
Early Photo's Offers Scenes of Redding's Past - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 23, 1972
Redding Urged to Buy Parkland written by Tony Shultz - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, December 1, 1972
Diestelhorst Property Still Wanted for a Park written by Al Morrell - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 11, 1973
George Diestelhorst Dies at Age 80 - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 7, 1973
Electrical Plant Proposal Will Be Aired - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 24, 1974
Redding Council May Purchase Land for Park - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 31, 1974
City of Redding Buys Diestelhorst Property - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 4, 1974
Flames Destroy Old Diestelhorst Estate - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 12, 1975
Earth Day Offering - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 19, 2011
Highlights from history - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 20, 2016
Above: an advertisement from the Showcase Theatre promoting “Grand Prix” and “The Sound of Music” from the Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 26, 1968.
The present-day home of the Casino Club which features Monroe's Night Club is located at 1885 Hilltop Drive in Redding, this building wasn’t always a local hotspot for dancing, karaoke, drinks, dining, and casino games for people 21 years-old and older, yet to some people’s surprise, and for those who remember it, this building was once the location of a former movie theater in Redding called the Showcase Theatre. It was one of Redding’s last single screen room movie theatres in operation during its prime.
Its original owner was Robbert L. Lippert who owned and operated the Lippert Theaters Company, also found as the Lippert Company in the historical record, and co-owned by the United Artist Theater Circuit Incorporated. This brand-new theater building was 6,000 square feet and designed by architect Gale Santocono whose company was based in San Francisco the building which cost $475,000 to erect on site next to the Sky-Vue Drive-In Theater, also on Hilltop Drive.
The Showcase Theatre opened to the public on the night of January 10, 1968, at its original address of 1899 Hilltop Drive with the Hollywood motion picture of “Grand Prix" starring actor James Garner, after the movie exited the box office it was followed by the celebrated and iconic movie release of “The Sound of Music” starring actress Julie Andrews. The silver screen at this cinema was 13 feet high and 30 feet wide for the audience to enjoy these entertaining flicks of all genres. Like today’s theater experiences the venue also offered concessions for the customers to purchase from the snack bar.
Prices were as follows: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and weekend matinees were $2.50 for adults and students with their student body cards were $2.00, and children were $1. Admissions from Monday through Thursday nights including a Wednesday matinee were $2 for adults and $1.50 for students and 75 cents for children. The one-room theatre had a seating capacity of 429 semi-reclining seats.
Above: an advertisement for the 1971 film "Dirty Harry" starring Clint Eastwood is being promoted here by the Showcase Theatre. From the Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 4, 1972.
Just look at the design of the building’s interior when you visit this place next time. You’ll see some interior theatre designs which will intrigue you; and if you carefully look around, you’ll discover memorabilia showcasing the building's earliest history pertaining to the Hollywood movies which once premiered here, and or featured here as a rerelease. This movie theater closed down in May of 1981, after thirteen years of business serving the Redding area. The cinema showcased its final Hollywood motion picture release of “Windwalker” starring Trevor Howard on April 30, 1981.
Above: A later remodel occurred to the front of the building as shown here. This photograph was taken by Jeremy Tuggle on March 4, 2023.
Above: front sideview different angel.
This photograph was taken by Jeremy Tuggle on March 4, 2023.
In May of 1981 it was announced that the cinema would be converted into a card playing room and that this location was just recently sold by its owners to the Casino Club, of Redding, at that time, one of the owners was Jim Westburg and his unnamed partners. After the conversion happened inside and outside the building its address at this location was changed to 1885 Hilltop Drive, in 1982, according to local directories and advertisements. Years later, Monroe’s Night Club was added to the Casino Club to bring an exciting night club atmosphere to the already popular gambling joint in 1995, and these businesses continue to thrive at the former location of the Showcase Theatre today. What are your memories here, what movies did you watch here?
Above: an advertisement from the Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 29, 1982.
Above: an advertisement from the Casino Club for a seven-card stud tournament. From the Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 4, 1993.
RESOURCES:
Hilltop Theater to Open - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 9, 1968
Theater Meeting Towns Best Show - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 9, 1968
Redding Woman to Manage New Theater - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 19, 1968
Theater To Get Fire Safety Devices - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 23, 1968
The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 26, 1968
1968 City of Redding Directory
Theater Extends “Romeo & Juliet” - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 13, 1969
1969 City of Redding Directory
Area Offers Concerts - Theaters written by Mike Harris, The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 21, 1970
1970 City of Redding Directory
1971 City of Redding Directory
Cinema - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 4, 1972
1972 City of Redding Directory
1973 City of Redding Directory
1974 City of Redding Directory
1975 City of Redding Directory
1976 City of Redding Directory
“Rocky” Comes to Redding - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 22, 1977
1977 City of Redding Directory
The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 10, 1978
1978 City of Redding Directory
The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 29, 1980
1980 City of Redding Directory
1981 City of Redding Directory
Silver Screens Go Dim for Viewers in Redding - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 20, 1981
Review Board Clears Way For Theatre Project - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 30, 1981
Walk-up spaghetti stand OK'd - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 14, 1981
1982 City of Redding Directory
The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 29, 1982
The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 2, 1982
The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 7, 1982
The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 8, 1982
Above: the front page and the masthead of the Shasta Sun newspaper of Redding, California, from the March 21, 1924, edition.
One of the most oft-forgotten local media outlets of Redding, Shasta County, California, is the Shasta Sun newspaper, which was established on March 21, 1924, and last published on July 17, 1925. It was owned and edited by Yreka, resident Herbert G. Moody, and was affiliated with the Siskiyou News newspaper of Yreka, Siskiyou County, California when it debuted. Moody was a son of Herbert L. Moody, also a printer and publisher of local newspapers in the area.
Herbert G. Moody was born and raised in Redding, California. Later on, Moody relocated to Redding, and merged this short-lived publication with the Searchlight newspaper, of Redding, in 1925 when Moody purchased that well-known media source. Every edition of this newspaper survived and preserved into microfilm in the archives of the Library of Congress. It's available to read in a few online newspaper archives as well.
RESOURCES:
"Shasta Sun" Is Born at Redding - The Siskiyou News newspaper of Yreka, March 27, 1924
The Shasta Sun newspaper of Redding, March 21, 1924
The Shasta Sun newspaper of Redding, July 17, 1925
Come see some unique pieces of history on display at the former Shasta County Courthouse and Museum in (Old) Shasta at what is now the Shasta State Historic Park. These items belonged to the luxurious, commodious, and comfortable, Empire hotel, a three-story brick hostelry, which stood towering above Main Street at Shasta, it offered lodging and meals to the weary travelers passing through the area. This hotel was erected in that town for $30,000 in 1857. It went through many changes of ownership during the years.
This hostelry operated well into the turn of the 20th century, and it was closed down in 1913, later on, it fell into decay and ruins like most of the former buildings of (Old) Shasta did. The Empire hotel was demolished in January of 1923. Its last owner was Sarah J. Hill, a resident of Redding, California. The Empire hotel boasted of the following famous guests lodging here during its prime which included California Governors Standford, Haight and Bigler. Along with Joaquin Miller, the famous Poet of the Sierra's. The lot in Shasta which the former hostelry stood upon has been turned into a park on the left side of the present-day, Shasta County Courthouse and Museum building.
On my maternal side my great-great-great grandparents, Valentine Doll, and his wife, Harriett (Schmidt) Doll stayed here. They were residents settling upon Huling Creek near Eagle Creek (now Ono, California). At one time Valentine Doll operated the local meat market in (Old) Shasta. He was also a local farmer and a miner in the area. On my paternal side my great-great-great-great grandparents George McFarlin, and his wife, Martha (Miller) McFarlin along with their kids, their kids at this time who were actually young adults their youngest being 17 years old, when they stayed here as well. George McFarlin was a local farmer, and this family also resided at Eagle Creek (now Ono). Please like, share, comment and subscribe to my YouTube channel if you haven't yet. Look out for the next episode, article, or blog on my website: Exploring Shasta County History as well.
RESOURCES:
Administrators Sale of Real Estate - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, March 12, 1853
Terrible Conflagration!! - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 18, 1853
Dissolution - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, August 13, 1853
The Empire Property for Sale - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, October 10, 1853
Empire Hotel - The Shasta Republican newspaper of Shasta, January 31, 1857
Empire Hotel - The Shasta Republican newspaper of Shasta, April 4, 1857
The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, January 2, 1858
The Empire Bar - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, January 30, 1858
Travel - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, October 30, 1858
In this episode of Exploring Shasta County History, I explore the interior of Shasta, California's Historic 1860's Courthouse, and its history, which still stands in the present-day town of (Old) Shasta. This wasn't the first courthouse in Shasta County's history, due to Major Pierson B. Reading's Adobe housing county records, and it wasn’t the first courthouse in Shasta either. It was actually the second courthouse in this ghost town. Come learn more in this episode of Exploring Shasta County History.
Resources:
Pacific Coast Dispatches - The Sacramento Bee newspaper of Sacramento, August 27, 1874
The Gallows - The San Francisco Examiner newspaper of San Francisco, August 27, 1874
Execution of Baker and Crouch - The Appeal-Democrat newspaper of Marysville, California, August 27, 1874
Hanged By the Neck Until Dead - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 17, 1903
Here's More About Romantic History of Old Shasta - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 10, 1940
Museum Impress Fourth Graders - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 24, 1965
One of the most iconic features of this terminus was the turntable system which rotated iron horses around on the rail line which came north towards Redding from Anderson and south from Redding to southern localities already in existence by rotating them on this circular contraption. Redding became the end-of-the-line at that time for trains traveling north in California for about a decade from 1872 until construction resumed north in 1883. At this location Redding’s iconic turntable once stood off of Tehama Street, in the railroad yard at Redding. Find out more in my newest video from Exploring Shasta County history.
Filmed on location.
SOURCES:
New Town - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 15, 1872
The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 22, 1872
Redding City - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 29, 1872
Redding - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, July 13, 1872
Redding - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, August 3, 1872
First Train - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, September 7, 1872
Trip To Redding - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, September 28, 1872
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