Gold Discoveries: the Two Reading Bar's In Northern California.

March 18, 1848 - Major Pierson B. Reading and his Native Americans discover gold on Clear Creek at Reading's Bar, making the second gold discovery in the state, Shasta County’s third major industry begins. Courtesy of Shasta Historical Society.

Major Pierson B. Reading (his surname is pronounced like the color red) was the first European-American settler in Shasta County and he made the second gold discovery in California on Clear Creek in Shasta County, California; after James W. Marshall made his initial gold strike which sparked the California Gold Rush. On March 18, 1848, history was made, and the first of two Reading Bar's were established, the first being on Clear Creek in Shasta County, and the second being established on Reading's Creek in Trinity County, California. In this video the viewer gets to see both locations and learn about the history behind them.

Video filmed on location.

Above: Major Pierson Barton Reading (1816-1868). This Carta de Vista was taken in 1862. Photographer unknown. From the collection of Jeremy Tuggle.