Exploring Shasta County history by Jeremy M. Tuggle: McARTHUR-BURNEY FALLS MEMORIAL STATE PARK

Above: Burney Falls. This photograph was taken by Jeremy Tuggle on October 21, 2020.

If you’re ever in Northern California one of the premier destinations in Shasta County to visit is a natural wonder called Burney Falls. This magnificent water fall was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1984 by the National Park Service. Yet, long before it was developed into a state park in 1930 it was President Theodore Roosevelt who supposedly labeled this natural landmark as the "eighth wonder of the world" during his presidency. Thousands of tourists come from all over the world to visit Burney Falls which is situated in the McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park along Highway 89.

This state park was established by Frank McArthur on one hundred sixty acres of land. He donated its land to the National Park Service and dedicated its donation in memory of his parents John McArthur and Catherine McArthur for the purpose of preservation. McArthur didn't want the site of the falls to be destroyed or to be utilized for hydroelectric power, and three years later the State of California added an additional one hundred seventy-five acres of land to the property. Since then the park has grown in size and is currently at 910 acres of land according to their website.

Above: is Burney Falls. The falls height is approximately 129 feet from Burney Creek, a tributary of the Pit River, while the depth of its pool is 22 feet, it’s water temperature reaches a chilling forty-two degrees to forty-eight degrees and it’s daily flow is 100 million gallons of water. This video was filmed by Jeremy Tuggle on October 21, 2020.

Above: this cabin is original to the park and it was constructed in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The cabin was restored by the Friends of the Falls between 1984 and 1986. This photograph was taken by Jeremy Tuggle on October 21, 2020.

Above: a general store remains on site as well and is often open for business within the McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. Yes, that is a payphone in front of this building. This photograph was taken by Jeremy Tuggle on October 21, 2020.

The town of Burney, Burney Falls, Burney Mountain, Burney Valley and the McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, are all named for Samuel Burney, a Scotsman, who arrived and settled in the area during November of 1858. His occupation was that of a caretaker, guide and trapper. However, Native Americans broke into his cabin and murdered Burney striking him to the back of his head with a hatchet in March of 1859. During the time of his death he was living at the Brook Farm which was homesteaded by James Preadmore.

It's been documented that Samuel Burney had a love for the land he lived on and that it was possible another neighbor named William Cayton may have conspired with the Native Americans to have him killed for his land. Either way, Cayton eventually acquired the land which belonged to Samuel Burney. A Native American boy who had helped caretake for Burney was also murdered during the attack. Samuel Burney's body was found a short distance from his cabin covered with rocks. Burney is buried in the Burney Cemetery at Burney.

Above: the headstone of Shasta County pioneer, Samuel Burney at the Burney Cemetery in Burney. An error on his headstone at the cemetery states, "Killed by Indians 1857", and that is incorrect. He was killed in 1859. This photograph was taken by Jeremy Tuggle on July 7, 2018.

The pioneer Burney Falls Cemetery was also laid out on spacious ground and established in 1890. It is included in the boundaries of the McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. My maternal great-great-great aunt, Laura May Felch, is buried in this cemetery, she was the daughter of John Richard Felch and Lettetia Jane (Joiner) Felch, who were married at Pittville, in Shasta County, on July 24, 1889 by the Clergyman, M.H. Vineyard. Their daughter, Laura, died in August of 1891 during the diphtheria epidemic which swept through the Burney area. Laura's father, John, was a farmer who also leased a local sawmill from Isaac Ray and Felch began operating it as well. Laura's parents are buried in the Burney Cemetery at Burney.

Above: this park also features cabins which you can rent and spacious camp grounds, hiking trails, and access to Lake Britton. This photograph was taken by Jeremy Tuggle on October 21, 2020.

Above: Jeremy M. Tuggle appears kneeling at the monument erected for the Burney Falls Cemetery. The first name on the marker is his maternal great-great-great aunt, Laura May Felch. Laura never had a headstone yet her plot was purchased for by her family. A selfie. This photograph was taken by Jeremy M. Tuggle on October 21, 2020.