A Christmas Ball at the Whiskeytown Hotel in 1861

Above: an advertisement for the main event on Christmas Day, at Whiskeytown in the Whiskeytown hotel. From the Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, December 21, 1861.

On Christmas Day, in 1861, a grand Christmas celebration was opened to the public to celebrate Christmas at Whiskeytown inside the Whiskeytown hotel, on December 25th, hosted by the hotel's proprietor George P. McGuire, a local hostelry man. It was a public affair which was managed by various local residents of Shasta and Trinity Counties, yes, even Weaverville and Minersville assisted in organizing this grand ball with our county residents at the time. This grand ball featured an elegant dinner, a live band rendering music, dancing, Christmas presents which were donated by the managers for the children, Santa Claus, and a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. This Christmas, I’m wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas, and I hope you enjoy all of the numerous festivities of this holiday season with your family and friends. 

Resources: 

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, December 7, 1861

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, December 14, 1861

Christmas Ball At Whiskeytown - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, December 21, 1861