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.
Come experience a bittersweet moment in this episode of Exploring Shasta County history which is set in 1915 at Bella Vista, California, when Nancy (Shaw) McKnight unexpectedly, extraordinarily, and historically gave birth to the first set of quadruplet babies in Shasta County history. That's right! A set of four! Two boys, and two girls! What a sensation it was for the mother of these newborns who was aged thirty-seven-years-old, at the time, and a mother of ten previous children, as well as a two-time grandmother who achieved national fame for birthing her quadruplets. Her husband, sixty-year-old Charles O. McKnight was employed as a lumberman at the Terry Lumber Company in Bella Vista. Press play, on the video and or in the link provided to find out more. Please like, share, comment and if you haven't yet, please, subscribe to my YouTube channel.
Resources:
Quadruplets At Bella Vista - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, March 11, 1915
Bella Vista Mother Gives Birth Four Babies In Short Space of Four Hours - The Searchlight newspaper office Redding, March 12, 1915
Mrs. McKnights 4 Babies Coming Along Famously - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 13, 1915
“Dottie” Is the Name of Youngest and Tiniest of the Quadruplets - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 14, 1915
Death Claims One McKnight Baby - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, March 15, 1915
Life’s Short Span - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 16, 1915
Death of Quadruplet Spoils Show Chances - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 16, 1915
Joseph Terry Is the Only Cry Baby of the Three Surviving Quadruplets - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 18, 1915
Death Calls Another Quadruplet - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 21, 1915
Last of the Quadruplets Are Called by Death - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 23, 1915
Four Babes in 2 Hours to 105 Pound Mother, Aged 40 - The Galena Daily Gazette of Galena, Illinois - March 12, 1915
Couple to Whom Stork Brought Four at Once - The Tacoma Times newspaper of Tacoma, Washington, March 19, 1915
Days News Condensed - The Chicago-Livestock World newspaper of Chicago, Illinois, April 6, 1915
The Potsdam Herald-Recorder of Potsdam, New York, April 30, 1915
On this episode of Exploring Shasta County history, we examine the history of the Kutras Tract, a piece of property which dates to 1935 and was purchased by Christ Kutras a Greek native, Redding resident and a local restaurant owner who owned this exclusive land east of Redding beside Turtle Bay. Eventually Kutras leased parts of this property to Redding local Robert "Bob" C. Spaid, who along with his wife Shirlee Spaid, played a major role in developing this land upon the Sacramento River along Thames Drive, (now present-day Park Marina Drive).
Who remembers live music and dancing at Kutras Park? Who remembers playing miniature golf here at Kutras Park Incorporated later Park Marina Golf Course? Who remembers swimming at the beach at Kutras Lake? Perhaps you remember the carousel and pony rides? Who remembers the quarter midget racers and racetrack or perhaps you might remember Bounceville? Take a trip down memory lane with me as we dive into this modern-day history.
All of that plus additional fond memories are shared in this video. Joining with me in this episode in an exclusive interview I conducted is Shirlee Spaid the former wife of the late Bob C. Spaid, the Park Marina developer, their daughter Sandy (Spaid) Williams and Sandy's husband, John Williams. Shirlee Spaid was the last owner of Park Marina Golf Course before she sold it to the McConnell Foundation who turned it into a present-day park. It's an episode you don't want to miss.
RESOURCES:
Council Acts to Get Water for Redding - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 25, 1936
Option Taken on Kutras Tract - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 22, 1937
Balance Paid on Kutras Tract - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 8, 1938
Redding May Get New Plant - -The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 29, 1939
Use of Kutras Tract Urged by Bourbons - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 7, 1939
Shasta Gravel Job One of the World's Largest - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of June 8, 1939
$4,413,320 Low Bid for Shasta Dam Sand Gravel Plant - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 10, 1939
$4,413,000 Kutras Contract Let –The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 2, 1939
Crew Surveys Kutras Tract – The Courier- Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 4, 1939
Dick Recommends That P.G. & E. Serves the Kutras Area - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 14, 1939
The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 15, 1939
Work Starts on Buildings for Kutras Tract Plant - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 18, 1939
To Decide on Method of Transporting Aggregate to Dam Site by Wednesday – The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, October 13, 1939
World’s Longest Conveyor Belt, 9.6 Miles, Will Carry Redding Gravel to Shasta Dam – The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, October 27, 1939
Excavate For Piers and Abutments Near Redding, Shasta Dam – The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, November 10, 1939
Start Building Mill on Kutras Tract This Week – The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, September 22, 1939
World’s Longest Conveyor Belt System Now Being Built – The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, March 10, 1940
First Gravel Arrives at The Dam Site – The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 6, 1940
That Election Platform - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 19, 1944
Letter's to the Editor - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 18, 1944
33 Ask for Kutras Tract Swimming Pool - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 26, 1945
Temporary Swimming Pool - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 23, 1946
Swarts Sees Pool Cost at Near $3,000 - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 26, 1946
Swimming Pool - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 26, 1946
Council Defers Action on Kutras Swimming Pool Plan - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 16, 1946
Two Feted on Birthday at Swim Party - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 16, 1946
Kutras Tract Report Wanted - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 18, 1946
City Takes Years Lease on Kutras Pool - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 19, 1946
Public Urged to Delay Swimming at Kutras Tract - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 23, 1946
City Leases Kutras Tract Pool Until 1947 - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 6, 1946
Kutras Tract Lease Signed - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, August 15, 1946
Kutras Tract Up Before Trustees - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 1, 1947
Kutras Deal Off, Land May Be Subdivision - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, December 18, 1947
Engineer Gives Council Report - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, April 8, 1948
Kutras Tract Delay Okayed - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, August 5, 1948
Water for Kutras Tract Asked - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 21, 1950
Water for Kutras Tract Asked - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, March 23, 1950
Council Blocks Kutras Tract Water Line - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 4, 1950
Council Compromises on Kutras Water - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 18, 1950
Ram Jet Will Be Shown Here - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 17, 1950 (first mention of Kutras Park.)
The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 19, 1950
Deed - 1950-0007738 Book 340 Page 409 Grantor (2) Christ Kutras and Frances W. Kutras. Grantee (2) Shirley K. Spaid, and Robert C. Spaid. Recording date: December 12, 1950
Cooperation In Keeping Kutras Lake Clean Asked - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 28, 1951
Kutras Tract Wont Flood State Finds - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 16, 1953
Legal Notice - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 17, 1953
Kutras Park Lounge and Ballroom advertisements - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 12, 1955
The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 6, 1956
Young Old Grab Clubs for 18 Hole of Miniature Golf written by Al Kildow - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 3, 1956
The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 6, 1956
The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, November 30, 1956
Quarter-Midget Racers Get Temporarily Laid Off - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 18, 1957
Kutras Park Recreation Development May Include Golf Range, Ferry Boat - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, December 3, 1958
City Closes Kutras Park Dance Hall as Fire Hazard - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 21, 1959
Swim, Golf, by the River - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 18, 1960
BPW Luncheon Told of Plans for Kutras Park - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, November 27, 1962
Kutras Park Features Nearby Recreation for the Family - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 5, 1964
Councilmen Hinge Park Deal to Vote - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 7, 1965
Developer Withdraws Plea - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, December 15, 1965
Planners Get Little Zoning Opposition - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 27, 1966
Lease - 1966-0002907 Book 870 Page 489 Grantor (1): Frances W. Kutras. Grantee (2): Robert C. Spaid and Shirley Spaid. Recording date: February 23, 1966.
Golf Course Largest of Its Type written by Doug Detling - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 5, 1967
City Planners Urge Multiple-Family Zoning at Kutras - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 24, 1968
Kutras Park Takeover on Agenda - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 1, 1968
Notice of non-Responsibility - 1969-0003872 Book 984 Page 654 Grantor (4) Frances W. Kutras, Robert C. Spaid, Shirley Spaid, Royal Inns of America Inc, Recorded date: March 25, 1969
Sublease - 0006023 Book 989 Page 250 Grantor (3) Frances Kutras, Robert C. Spaid, Shirley Spaid. Grantee: Royal Inns of America Inc. Recorded date: May 7, 1969.
Ground Broken for $750,000 Motel-Restaurant Complex Here written by Clifford Shelby - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 27, 1969
Council Gives Tentative Ok to Spaid's Request written by Gregg Lyon - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 21, 1972
Letter to the Editor - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 25, 1972
The City of Redding Directory, 1974 - Kutras Recreation Incorporated (amusement place)
The City of Redding Directory, 1977 - Kutras Recreation Incorporated (amusement place)
Builder Is Encircle by Variety - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 25, 1980
The City of Redding Directory, 1982 written by Earl W. Wright Jr. - Kutras Recreation Incorporated (amusement place) - 243-4752
The Mosers: Their business is food, fun written by Art Gatts - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 24, 1982
The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 17, 1983
On this episode of Exploring Shasta County history, we examine the origins and history of a ramshackle 1849 gold mining community in northern California called French Gulch. We explore the area and townsite and get an exclusive look inside an 1800s residential building which is still standing in town, featuring Eric Hall.
RESOURCES:
1852 California State Census
French Gulch - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, March 12, 1853
From French Gulch - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, March 26, 1853
French Gulch - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, April 16, 1853
From French Gulch - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, April 23, 1853
From French Gulch - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, May 14, 1853
A Rich Lead - Shasta Quartz - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, July 23, 1853
Mining On French Gulch - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, July 30, 1853
Salmon On Clear Creek - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, July 30, 1853
The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, September 3, 1853
The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, October 30, 1853
Big Licks - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, November 19, 1853
Dissolution - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, November 26, 1853
District Court for the 9th Judicial District - Shasta County, December 3, 1853
Tricks Of A Grizzly - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, December 17, 1853
Mining News - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, May 6, 1854
Election of Board of Directors for the Washington Quartz Company - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, February 17, 1855
Another Horrible Murder - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, April 7, 1855
Bishop Alamanni - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 9, 1855
Sheriff's Sale - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 9, 1855
Congregation of French Gulch Church - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 30, 1855
Attempted Assassination - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 30, 1855
District Court - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 30, 1855
The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, August 28, 1858
Notice - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, September 4, 1858
Board Of Supervisors - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, September 11, 1858
Dissolution - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, July 27, 1861
Brill's Saloon (advertisement) - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, August 29, 1863
Officers
of the Western Star Division, No. 88, S., of T., French Gulch (notice) – The
Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, December 10, 1864
French Gulch Mining District - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, July 15, 1865
Letter From French Gulch - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, July 29, 1865
Honeycomb - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, November 4, 1865
French Gulch - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, December 5, 1869
A Letter From French Gulch - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, February 12, 1870
I.O.G.T. - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, August 27, 1870
French Gulch Mining District - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, December 20, 1884
Gone To His Rest - The Republican Free Press newspaper of Shasta, January 8, 1887
French Gulch - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, June 22, 1895
A Shasta County Bullion Producer Re-Opened - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, July 1, 1899
Mines Booming In French Gulch District - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 10, 1906
John Syme Dies In French Gulch written - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 19, 1907
Invitation For Bids - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 21, 1907
French Gulch Has A New Teacher - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 31, 1908
One Italian Murdered and Another Fatally Wounded - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 2, 1909
Ed King of French Gulch Dies at Bay - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 21, 1909
Rich Ore in Milkmaid - The Morning Union newspaper of Grass Valley, May 8, 1912
Odd Fellows To Dedicate New Hall - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, November 21, 1913
William Franck Sells Interest to Volney Fox - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, November 21, 1913
Second Oldest Mining Town In Shasta County Has Lure written by Hamilton L. Hintz - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, December 28, 1929
French Gulch - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 12, 1937
French Gulch Road Planned - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 22, 1949
French Gulch Opens Library - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 2, 1950
Early Miners Gave French Gulch Name - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 10, 1950
$9,000 Fire Menaces French Gulch - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 13, 1955
French Gulch IOOF Lodge Marks 100th Anniversary - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 18, 1958
You’ll Find 3-Foot Walls, Old Mines, Roses and Memories in French Gulch - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 20, 1960 (Van Ness Home pic)
Flames Destroy Historic House in French Gulch - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 17, 1961
Town Has Pioneer Store written by William Asbury - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 4, 1965
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