Friday, December 12, 2025

First Labeled as a Townsite Which Dwindled into a Subdivision Called Santa Claus.





Filmed on location.

Perhaps you live in the present-day subdivision of Santa Claus, but don't know the history of the area and that is why your checking out this episode of Exploring Shasta County History, or perhaps you have a real interest in our local history, whatever the case may be this subdivision was originally laid out as a town site located just off of the old Buckeye Road (now Lake Boulevard). It came to fruition at the hands of Frederick A. Carmona and Orr M. Chenoweth, local Redding residents who had dreams of establishing a town site in the 1930s. Come learn about the history of Santa Claus, first labeled as a townsite which dwindled into a subdivision. It's my Christmas episode you don't want to miss as we're approaching the holiday season. Like, share, and comment on the video as well.

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 25, 1938

The Sacramento Bee newspaper of Sacramento, June 8, 1938

Big Time in Boomtown - The San Francisco Chronical newspaper of San Francisco, July 1, 1938

Motoring Trip Reveals Scenes Near Shasta Dam - The Sacramento Bee newspaper of Sacramento, August 10, 1938 

A Melting Appeal - The San Francisco Chronicle newspaper of San Francisco, August 20, 1938

Deed Book 5, Page 32, Recording Date: September 13, 1938. Document No: 05-032 Grantor: Santa Claus Subdivision Unit No. 1, 2 pages.

Declaration of Tract Registrations for Santa Claus Subdivision Unit No. 1 Shasta County, California. By Fred A. Carmona and Orr M. Chenoweth. R. 3611, dated: September 13, 1938, pages 136-170 on file at the Shasta County Recorder's Office in Redding, California.

Santa - The San Francisco News newspaper of San Francisco, November 2, 1938

Chamber Heads Hear Protest on Buckeye Road - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 26, 1938

City Lots - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 8, 1939

More Squatters Get Notices to Move from D.A. - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 15, 1939

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 20, 1939

Farm-City Road for Dam Area to Be Discussed -The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 27, 1939

Special Announcement Santa Claus Subdivision - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 17, 1939

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 20, 1939

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, November 5, 1939

The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 27, 1940

Two Blazes Caught - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 12, 1941

Couple Married in Santa Claus - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, November 16, 1941

Legal Notice - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 25, 1943

Fire Burns Brush in Santa Claus Area - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 30, 1943

The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 19, 1945

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, November 6, 1945

County Records - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 1, 1948

Found in Cabin - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 28, 1949

The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 4, 1949

Chamber Committee Examines New Pipe, Santa Claus - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, November 16, 1954

Four-Lane Road Provision Urged - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 10, 1955

Planners to Consider Subdivision - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 12, 1955

Sewage Problems May Slow Projects - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 13, 1955 

Yes, Burton, There Is a Santa Claus Town - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 1, 1959

The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, December 7, 1963

Legal Notice - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 10, 1964

Redding Realty advertisement - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 6, 1964

The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 6, 1965

The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 8, 1965

Fred A. Carmona Appliance Store Founder, Dies - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, December 17, 1970

Orr M. Chenoweth, 60-Year Redding Attorney Dies - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, December 28, 1970


Thursday, December 4, 2025

RAISING CANE'S REDDING, CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT GRAND OPENING, 12-4-2025. FEATURING ASHLEY PARKER ANGEL OF O-TOWN.


Raising Cane's Grand Opening Celebration featuring Ashley Parker Angel of O-Town the famous boy band group of the early 2000's, renowned actor, singer and songwriter. That's right he made an appearance in his hometown today for the grand opening of this fast-food restaurant. I was there on the scene and got to hang out with him for a bit. Check it out here..

Thursday, November 20, 2025

Before Coleman National Fish Hatchery Existed.

Before Coleman National Fish Hatchery existed who held title to this land? How was it obtained by the former owner? Who built the large country style barn at the entrance to the present-day fish hatchery, what happens on this site today? Find out more in my newest video from Exploring Shasta County History.




Filmed on location.


Resources: 

1850 U.S. Census 

Supervisors Notice - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, February 9, 1856

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, July 16, 1859

Births - The Appeal-Democrat newspaper of Marysville, August 17, 1859 

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, October 13, 1860

1860 U.S. Census 

Births - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, September 10, 1864 

Births - The Sacramento Bee newspaper of Sacramento, September 13, 1864

1866, California U.S. Voter Register 

Pre-Emptions Approved - The Marysville Daily Appeal newspaper of Marysville, June 19, 1866

Land Patents - The Marysville Daily Appeal newspaper of Marysville, September 22, 1866

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, August 4, 1866

J. Winsel in the Pacific Coast Directory, 1867

Battle Creek - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 8, 1867

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, July 11, 1868

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, May 8, 1869

Mulberry - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, July 31, 1869

1870 U.S. Census 

Board of Supervisors - February Term - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, February 12, 1870

The Shasta Courier newspapers newspaper of Shasta, February 12, 1870

Born - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, February 19, 1870

Encounter With Grizzlies - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, November 25, 1871

Equalization - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, July 27, 1872

1880 U.S. Census

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 28, 1883

Subscribers - The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 5, 1883

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, June 30, 1883

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 14, 1883

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, September 1, 1883

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, September 5, 1885

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, September 12, 1885

Shasta County at the Fair - The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, June 26, 1886

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, December 18, 1886

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, February 18, 1888

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, June 23, 1888

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, October 27, 1888

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, October 19, 1889

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, December 28, 1889

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, October 21, 1893

Death of Mrs. Winsell - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, December 30, 1893

1900 U.S. Census

Sudden Death of Mrs. H.W. Brooks - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 5, 1901

An Old Citizen Very Ill - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, November 9, 1906, October 22, 1901

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 21, 1903

Mrs. Thatcher Died Tuesday - The Courier-Free Press newspaper Redding, August 15, 1905

Another Pioneer Gone To His Rest - The Searchlight newspaper of California, November 10, 1906

Pioneer Passes To His Rest - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, November 10, 1906

An Old-Timer Is Dead - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, November 11, 1906

Funeral of Dr. Winsell - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, November 12, 1906

California Death Index 1905-1939; James Fletcher Winsell (1825-1906)

Mrs. Winsell Is Called Beyond - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 28, 1917

George Winsell Dies After Long Illness - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 10, 1924

George A. Winsell Answers Final Call - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, June 10, 1924

Mrs. L. Ed Baker’s Suffering Ended - The Courier -Free Press newspaper of Redding, December 18, 1925

Directory of Deceased American Doctors (1804-1929)

Trails of 49’ In Shasta - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 26, 1930

The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, February 28, 1930

Fact Or Fiction? - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 2, 1930

Death Claims Mrs. Shanahan - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 17, 1943

Former County Resident Dies - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, March 29, 1945

Highlights of Early Masonry In Shasta County Are Told written by Rosena A. Giles, The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, May 13, 1948

Echoes From the Past written by Rosena A. Giles, The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, July 19, 1951

Ella Winsell - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 18, 1960

Coleman Fish Hatchery Keeps Salmon, Steelhead Thriving - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 16, 2011

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

REDDING’S (OLD) SWIMMING HOLE’S.



Filmed on location.


Where was the first swimming hole located in Redding, California, what was it called, and how long did it last? What came after it? Are there still relics one could see at these places which gives us a glimpse into the past? When was the first regatta held in Redding and what was its predecessor? Find out in my newest video to date from Exploring Shasta County History, titled “Redding’s (Old) Swimming Holes”. It’s a history you’ll want to dive into…

 
RESOURCES: 

Fatal Accident - The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 15, 1893

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 18, 1896

The Swimming Season - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, 

Pleasure Resort - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 6, 1903

Nearly Broke Arm While Swimming - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 1, 1905

Wheel Ditch Leased - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 11, 1905

City Trustees Are After A Water Cube - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, January 17, 1906

Cants Mixed Up With Big Wheel - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 21, 1906

The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 19, 1907

Perished While Swimming But Did Not Drown - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 20, 1915

Permission To Tunnel Under the City - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 7, 1916

Condemnation Suit - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 9, 1916

Compromise Affected - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 22, 1916

The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 31, 1916

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 2, 1916

Anderson-Cottonwood Diverting Dam Started - The Chico Record newspaper of Chico, August 4, 1916

Redding Is Missing Bet By Not Having A Swimming Resort - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 13, 1919

Thanksgiving Bath Planned By Lovers of Swimming Hole - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, November 25, 1919

The Water Will Be Fine, They All Say - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 20, 1923

All Set Ready to Go to the River - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 20, 1923

Redding Will Hold Water Carnival In Old Swimming Hole - The Courie-Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 22, 1923

The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 1, 1923

See the Committee - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 7, 1923

Swimming Resort Is Popular Place - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, September 4, 1923

Moving Roadway at Swimming Resort Will Make Place for Construction of Grandstand - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 12, 1924

Weather Ideal for Huge Chamber of Commerce Benefit Dance at River - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 30, 1924

At the Swimming Hole - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 22, 1924

Redding to Have Great Water Carnival - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 2, 1924

Sciots Will Stage Gigantic Attraction On Aug., 30, 31, Sept., 1 - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, July 3, 1924

Redding's Dream of a Water Carnival on the River Will be Stage by Sciots - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 3, 1924

Sciots Boots Water Sports - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 8, 1924

Sciots Offer $1,800 In Great Water Carnival Queen Contest Prizes - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 9, 1924

Golf and Trap Shooting Will Be Among Sports at Carnival - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 12, 1924

Sciot Cameraman Will Photograph Community Resort This Afternoon - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 13, 1924

Big Crows Turn Out at River for Pictures for Water Carnival - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 14, 1924

Sciots Set New Social Mark While Entertaining Guess of the Valley - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 1, 1924

Our Swimming Hole - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 7, 1924

The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 16, 1924

Carnival Water Sports Show Wealth of Local Material - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 2, 1924

Sciot Water Carnival Ends - An Aquatic, Fun  and Financial Success - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, September 4, 1924

Chamber Donates $500 for Swimming Resort - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 22, 1925

Redding’s Water Carnival Brings Statewide Recognition to Resort, The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 1925

Water Carnival Has Cash Balance of $2,000 as Nest Egg for Next Year - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 4, 1925

City Trustees Vote to Hire Woman Supervisor and Lifeguard at Swimming Resort - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 30, 1925 

Swimming Resort Will Be Same of Regular Sunday Sports Program - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 4, 1925

The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 18, 1925

Big Crowd at Swimming Hole Meet - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 20, 1925

Swimmers Slow to Enter the Big Water Carnival - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 24, 1925

Water Carnival Queen Contest Closes Next Thursday at 6 O' Clock - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 25, 1925

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 29, 1925

Five Girls from Bay Clubs Will Swim at Carnival - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 30, 1925

Greatest of All Water Carnivals and Pageants Opens in a Blaze of Glory - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 2, 1925

Water Carnival Hits High Spot for Crowds - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 2, 1925

Red Bluff Liked Water Carnival - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, August 5, 1925

Water Carnival Is Praised by Smith - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 5, 1925

$1,000 Water Carnival Profit Anticipated by Chamber of Commerce - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 5, 1925

Official of Amateur Athletic Union High in His Praise for Redding's Water Carnival - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 8, 1925

Water Carnival Pleases Sport Executive - The Courier-Free Newspaper of Redding, August 8, 1925

Redding's Water Carnival Fame Hits New York City - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 3, 1925

Water Carnival Loss Approximately $250 - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, December 2, 1925

Chamber of Commerce Gets Busy on New Highway Route - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, December 3, 1925

Women's National Championship to Be Carnival Success - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 28, 1926

Chamber Votes to Hold Annual Water Carnival - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 5, 1926

Water Carnival Will Be Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 6, 1926

Chamber of Commerce Refuses to Sponsor 1926 Water Carnival - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 14, 1926

Redding In the Swim - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 20, 1926

Redding Water Frolic Draws Hundreds; Fireworks Feature - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 25, 1926

Fifteen Saved by Guards at River Resort - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, September 4, 1926

Water Carnival Gets Worldwide Publicity - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, December 16, 1926

Water Carnival Will be Staged by the Firemen - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, February 3, 1927

Highwater Damaged Children's Den at Swimming Resort - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 14, 1927

Automobile and Two Occupants Plunge into River - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 14, 1927

Large Crowd Attends Pre-Carnaval Frolic at the River Resort - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 19, 1927

Preparations Made for Swim Season in Redding; Dressing Rooms Plan Studied - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 20, 1930

Around the Town - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 1, 1930

Chamber Wants City to Buy Benton Land for Swimmin' Hole - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 6, 1930

New Raft for Lake Redding Swim Resort - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 9, 1930

New Raft Is Installed in Sacramento River for Redding Swimmers - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 10, 1930

Council Buys Tract for Municipal Swim Resort Across River - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 14, 1930

Eleanor Garratti Goes Under Knife - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 28, 1930

Homer Heck Arrested as Being Nuisance at Swimming Beach - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 29, 1930

Spent Night in Jail - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 29, 1930

Swimming Hole to be Improved - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 21, 1930

The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, March 25, 1931

Do You Remember? - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 9, 1931

Harriett Saeltzer Wins Swimming Event - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, June 13, 1931

Tillotson Says Diestelhorst Does Not Own River Island - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 4, 1933

Redding Water Carnival to be Revived July 15, 16 - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 3, 1933

Regatta Group's Report Submitted to Chamber Board - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 4, 1933

Regatta's Swimming Features Announced - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, June 3, 1933

Swim Plan for Regatta July 15-16, is Complete - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 3, 1933

Site for Lake Redding Regatta Leased by Chamber - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, June 6, 1933

Racers Signed to Enter Events of Redding Regatta - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 7, 1933

Superior Judge Ross Supports Regatta Event - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 11, 1933

Crowd Thrilled by Spills in Outboard Motor Races of Lake Redding Regatta - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 18, 1933

Medals Complete for Regatta Swim Events Saturday - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 11, 1933

Carnival Dance Is Feature of Redding Regatta - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 12, 1933

Harry W. Glover Gives Support to Redding Regatta - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 15, 1933

Lights, Flags, Cover City for Regatta Today - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 15, 1933

$20,000 Is Estimate of Diestelhorst Land Value - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 12, 1934

Committee On Lake Redding Regatta Named - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, March 8, 1934

Fireworks Display Planned for Lake Redding Regatta - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 23, 1939

Regatta Banners Wave on Market Street Wednesday - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 27, 1935

Fireworks in Daylight to Mark Regatta - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 27, 1935

Noted Professional Divers to Race in Lake Redding Fete - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 10, 1935

Dedication of Swimming Pool Will Mark Opening of 1935 Redding Regatta - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 11, 1935

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 13, 1935

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 13, 1935

Swimming Pool Formal Opening Starts Regatta - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 14, 1935

Third Annual Lake Redding Regatta Pronounced a Complete Success - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 16, 1935

Five National Champions to Compete Here in July Show - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 26, 1936

Concrete Stairs At City Resort Caves - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, December 21, 1937

Swimming Resort Repairs to Start - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 12, 1938

Work Is Started On Swimming Resort - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 23, 1938

Resort Concession Goes to Mrs. Sutton - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 1, 1938

Junior Chamber Opens 1939 Regatta Talk - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 26, 1938

National Stars to Swim Here - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 3, 1939

The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 14, 1939

Completion of Repairs on City’s Swimming Resort at Lake Redding Will Be in Time For 1940 Season - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 26, 1940 

Municipal Swimming Resort Ready as Guards on Duty - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, June 12, 1940

Swimming Starts at Redding Water Resort; Lifeguards Go on Duty - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 13, 1940

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 20, 1941

Lake Redding’s Still Chilly, But the Water’s Getting Warmer - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 10, 1944

City Protests Water Too Cold - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 10, 1946

The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 18, 1946

70 Boat Racers Here Sunday for Lake Redding Ragatta - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 2, 1949

City Opens Its $150,000 Pool - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 9, 1949

Outboard Divers Tune Up for Lake Redding Ragatta - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 6, 1952

The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 28, 1953

Island In River Causes Court Fight written by Judge Albert F. Ross - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 2, 1965

The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 29, 1965

The Old Swimming Hole Has Shrunk written by Judge Albert F. Ross - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 21, 1971

Marion Dimmick Dies at 83 - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 4, 1980

Bridge Brings Change to Riverside written by Adrienne Packer - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 26, 1996

Snapshot In Time - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 11, 2002

Sunday, October 19, 2025

KESWICK DAM


Above: this photograph of Keswick Dam was taken by Jervie Henry Eastman in 1946. Source: California State Archives.

The construction of this dam started in 1941 and was completed by the Guy F. Atkinson Company and with the assistance of the W.E. Kier Construction Company, in 1950, as a concrete gravity dam with embankment wings which was built nine miles downstream from Shasta Dam on the Sacramento River. Keswick Dam was one of the many pieces of the Central Valley Project which created an after bay of Lake Shasta, called Keswick Reservoir. It has the capacity of holding 23,800 cubic feet of water and is owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation. Height: 157 feet, Length of Crest: 1,046 feet, Spillway Capacity: 250,000 cubic feet.


Keswick Dam Powehouse and Spillway in 1949. Source: California State Archives.


RESOURCES: 


Second Dam Plan - The Record Searchligjt newspaper of Redding, November 2, 1940

Dam, Power Plant Proposed For Keswick - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 24, 1941

Keswick Dam Approved By House Group - The Sesrchlight newspaper of Redding, May 2, 1941

Keswick Dam to be Built; Bids Sought - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 16, 1941

Keswick Dam Towers Built - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 17, 1941

Atkinson & Kier to Begin Pouring Concrete On Keswick Dam Nov 10 - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 31, 1941

Keswick Dam Starts; R.R. Work Rushed -  The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, December 31, 1941

Keswick Dam to be 75% Completed - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 9, 1943

Work Starts On Two Projects For Completing Keswick Dam - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 1, 1949

Keswick Dam Goes Into Full Operation - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 31, 1950

Keswick Dam Generator Explodes - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 3, 1971

Keswick Gets New Transformer - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 24, 1979

Keswick Dam Road Closures Are Scheduled - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 8, 1979

Water Storage - The Sacramento Bee newspaper of Sacramento, December 31, 1980

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

McColl’s Dairy: Their Legacy, Buildings and a Milk Dump.


Filmed on location. 


McColl's Dairy is a name which was once synonymous with northern California and dominated local supermarkets and discount grocery stores within the region as their dairy products became a household name. Its legacy began with former Senator John Benjamin McColl, a native of Canada, who established this company in Redding, Shasta County, California, as a confectionary stand on Market Street in 1923. McColl later brought on his friend John Joseph Fitzpatrick, a native of California, as a partner in ownership. Very little remains of this company today which had been in operation until 1996, for about seventy-one years. Early documentation fails to cover the early history behind this rising dairy company, only mentioning it in parts, but you can get the correct history here and see the growth this company strived for throughout northern California. You may even remember buying their products. I do. So come with me to dive into the legacy, buildings, and a milk dump which was formerly owned and operated by McColl's Dairy Products Company on their former almost vacant lot on Angelo Avenue. Featuring local historians David Lilly and Andy Wallner. Check out the video at the following link for its in-depth history, please, like, share comment, and subscribe for more media and productions from Exploring Shasta County History.




RESOURCES:

1900 U.S. Census

1910 U.S. Census

1920 U.S. Census

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 27, 1922

The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 16, 1922

The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 22, 1923

The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 21, 1923

Confectionery Sold to John B. M'Coll - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 28, 1923

Candy Store Sold - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 28, 1923

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 29, 1923

Confectionery Sold to John B. M'Coll - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 2, 1923

Eaton's Confectionery - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 2, 1923

Rotary Club Formed in Redding, Carter Leader - The Shasta Sun newspaper of Redding, April 11, 1924 McColl charter member 

J.B. M'Coll Home - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, December 13, 1924

Expanding Summer Service at Ice Cream Headquarters - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 7, 1925

$4,000 Improvements Are Contemplated by J.B. M'Coll - The Shasta Sun newspaper of Redding, May 1, 1925

Rotarians Hear How To Make Ice Cream - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 21, 1925

Midnight Flood in Eaton Buikding Gave Scare to 3 Tenants - The Shasta Sun newspaper of Redding, June 19, 1925

Soft Drink Permit - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 9, 1925

Modern Front For Eaton and McColl Stores - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 22, 1925  

Contract Let For Fronts In Eaton Building - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 14, 1925

Takes Short Course on Ice Cream Making - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 6, 1926

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 21, 1926

M'Colls Now Sells Fine Pastry Line - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 17, 1926

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 26, 1926

Fancy Ice Cream - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 17, 1927 Elmer Shogren

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 8, 1927

John McColl Heads Local Rotary Club - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, April 14, 1927

McColl Carries Arm in a Sling On Account of Jaw - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 3, 1927

John B. McColl Is New Master of Lodge - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, December 5, 1927

Portable Ice Cream Parlor - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 15, 1928

The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 7, 1929

J.W. Welch Purchases Local Confectionery - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 29, 1929

The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, November 5, 1929

1930 U.S. Census

At the McColl's - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 24, 1931

Election of McColl Vital to People of Shasta and Trinity - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 22, 1932

McColl's Election - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 31, 1932

McColl Chosen Senator - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 31, 1932

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, September 1, 1932

People Should Appreciate Great Work Done by McColl - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 27, 1933

Senator M'Coll Is Given Ovation - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 28, 1933

Long Illness of Mrs. McColl Is Ended Saturday Night in Death - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 27, 1935

State Mourns Passing of Mrs. John B. M'Coll - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 30, 1935

Body of Mrs. M'Coll Interred in Sacramento - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, January 31, 1935

Many Attend Last Rites Held for Mrs. John B. M'Coll - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, January 31, 1935

M'Coll to M'Coll - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 6, 1935

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 14, 1935

State Senator on Honeymoon - The Oakland Tribune newspaper of Oakland, August 31, 1936

Senator McColl of Shasta Weds Yolo Girl in Nevada - The Sacramento Bee newspaper of Sacramento, August 31, 1936

Romance in Legislature Ends in Marriage of Miss Beth Pleasants, State Senator John B. McColl - The Woodland Daily Democrat newspaper of Woodland, August 31, 1936

Senator M'Coll Marries Miss Beth Pleasants - The Trinity Journal newspaper of Weaverville, September 3, 1936

Ice Cream Has Been Taken Out of the Luxury Classification and is Recognized as a Most Valuable Food - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 28, 1939

1940 U.S. Census

M'Coll's Ice Cream Company Opens New Plant to Visitors - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 2, 1941

Firm Started in Backroom 8 Years Ago - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 2, 1941

S.E. Ayers Sells North Star Dairy to Redding Firm - The Red Bluff Tehama County Daily News newspaper of Red Bluff, March 17, 1942

Building Will Be Erected in South Redding - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, August 15, 1946

Legal Notice - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 3, 1947

Legal Notice - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 5, 1947

Sue Over Equipment - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, November 11, 1948

1950 U.S. Census

McColl’s New Plant Will Pasteurize 900 Gallons of Milk in One Hour - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, March 15, 1951

Fire Damages New McColl’s Building - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, March 22, 1951

McColl’s Opens New Plant Here Tomorrow - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 12, 1951  pic

McColl’s Employ 44 to 50 Employees In New Plant - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 12, 1951 pic  

McColl’s Drivers Are Independent Dealers - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 12, 1951 pic 

Ice Cream Is Scientifically Made at McColl’s - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 12, 1951

McColl’s Makes 3 Types - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 12, 1951

The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, December 5, 1951 pic of Fitz

McColl’s Dividing Dairy Interests From Real Estate - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, April 24, 1952

Ice Cream Firms Win Fair Medals - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 7, 1953

McColl’s Operations Blends Dairy Science and Economics - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 26, 1954

McCall’s Expands Plant at Redding - The Oroville Mercury Register newspaper of Oroville, September 28, 1955

McColl’s Employees Attend Davis Course - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 25, 1956

McColl's Buys Crescent Milk Company Here - The Oroville Mercury Register newspaper of Oroville, February 15, 1956

McColl's Dairy Company Buys Out Crescent Milk Co. - The Gridley Herald newspaper of Gridley, February 17, 1956

Concentrated Milk Put On Market By McColl’s - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 21, 1957

Dairy Founder Traces Start of McColl’s - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 26, 1958

Legal Notice - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 23, 1959

McColl's Farm Enters National Holstein Group - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 20, 1959

McColl's Sues Five Big Dairies - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 8, 1960

Shasta County Farmers Sell, Clip, Plant, and Wean for Winter - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, November 9, 1960

The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 23, 1962 pics

The Corning Daily Observer newspaper of Corning, January 24, 1962

The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 27, 1964

The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 22, 1965 pics

The Enterprise Record newspaper of Chico, March 22, 1965 pics

McColl's Dairy Purchases Pepsi-Cola Bottling Plant - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 27, 1966

McColl's Charges Milk Law Unfair - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 22, 1969

Moo's Week - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 14, 1971

McColl’s Negotiates to Buy Wentz - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, December 15, 1971

Redding's 'local cow' is being nudged - Written by Gale Hayes, The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, November 10, 1972

History of McColl's 1933-1973 - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 8, 1973

The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, November 29, 1980

Fitzpatrick: Milking the most from life - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 10, 1981

The Enterprise-Record newspaper of Chico - March 15, 1983 pics and history

McColl's Plans Half-Century Celebration - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 27, 1983

The Milkman Still Cometh - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 2, 1985 pics

McColl's Dairy to Change Hands - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 31, 1985

Sale of McColl's Dairy Nearly Complete - The Enterprise Record newspaper of Chico, June 8, 1985

Fumes Hurt Five in Redding - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 9, 1986

McColl’s Orders Its Ice Cream Pulled Off Shelves - The Enterprise-Record newspaper of Chico, July 9, 1987

Crystal Plans Don’t Affect Redding Site - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 1, 1988

McColl’s Dairy Will Shut Down - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 4, 1993

McColl's Dairy in Redding Closing Its Doors - The Enterprise-Record newspaper of Chico, June 5, 1993

Officials React with Gloom to News of Impending McColl’s Closure - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 5, 1993

Fitzpatrick's 60-Year Success Story - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 26, 1993

Crystal Dairy Begins Layoffs in Capital - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 23, 1996

Businessman Fitzpatrick Dies At 87 - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 5, 1997

McColl’s Dairy to be leveled - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 4, 2007

Perhaps Demise Coming Too Soon for McColl's Dairy Building written by Marc Beauchamp - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 9, 2007

John Fitzpatrick - RIP and the Legacy of McColl's Dairy in Redding - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 11, 2016

Ever Ready to give back - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 12, 2016



Friday, October 3, 2025

CIRCUS ACTS: ARCHIE THE CLOWN (1830-1882) & ZENOBIA (1862-1883), Member’s of John Robinson's Circus.


Filmed on location at Redding Memorial Park.


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