PIECES OF HISTORY FROM THE EMPIRE HOTEL AT SHASTA.

Filmed on location.

Come see some unique pieces of history on display at the former Shasta County Courthouse and Museum in (Old) Shasta at what is now the Shasta State Historic Park. These items belonged to the luxurious, commodious, and comfortable, Empire hotel, a three-story brick hostelry, which stood towering above Main Street at Shasta, it offered lodging and meals to the weary travelers passing through the area. This hotel was erected in that town for $30,000 in 1857. It went through many changes of ownership during the years.

This hostelry operated well into the turn of the 20th century, and it was closed down in 1913, later on, it fell into decay and ruins like most of the former buildings of (Old) Shasta did. The Empire hotel was demolished in January of 1923. Its last owner was Sarah J. Hill, a resident of Redding, California. The Empire hotel boasted of the following famous guests lodging here during its prime which included California Governors Standford, Haight and Bigler. Along with Joaquin Miller, the famous Poet of the Sierra's. The lot in Shasta which the former hostelry stood upon has been turned into a park on the left side of the present-day, Shasta County Courthouse and Museum building.

On my maternal side my great-great-great grandparents, Valentine Doll, and his wife, Harriett (Schmidt) Doll stayed here. They were residents settling upon Huling Creek near Eagle Creek (now Ono, California). At one time Valentine Doll operated the local meat market in (Old) Shasta. He was also a local farmer and a miner in the area. On my paternal side my great-great-great-great grandparents George McFarlin, and his wife, Martha (Miller) McFarlin along with their kids, their kids at this time who were actually young adults their youngest being 17 years old, when they stayed here as well. George McFarlin was a local farmer, and this family also resided at Eagle Creek (now Ono). Please like, share, comment and subscribe to my YouTube channel if you haven't yet. Look out for the next episode, article, or blog on my website: Exploring Shasta County History as well.

RESOURCES:

Administrators Sale of Real Estate - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, March 12, 1853

Terrible Conflagration!! - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 18, 1853

Dissolution - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, August 13, 1853

The Empire Property for Sale - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, October 10, 1853

Empire Hotel - The Shasta Republican newspaper of Shasta, January 31, 1857

Empire Hotel - The Shasta Republican newspaper of Shasta, April 4, 1857

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, January 2, 1858

The Empire Bar - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, January 30, 1858

Travel - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, October 30, 1858

1867 - Pacific Coast Directory, available on Ancestry.com 

Oregon & California Stage Office - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, July 20, 1872

Anniversary Ball - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, December 20, 1873

Among Our Citizens - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, August 24, 1895.

John V. Scott - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 17, 1899

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 4, 1900

Shasta Hotel Man Now in Bankrupt - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding,

The Empire at Shasta - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 7, 1900

For Sale - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 21, 1901

The Daily Free Press newspaper of Redding, January 30, 1903

John V. Scott Has Gone to Long Rest - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, December 28, 1904

Old Landmarks to Go - The Sacramento Bee newspaper of Sacramento, January 16, 1923

Two Landmarks Are to Be Town Down - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 19, 1923

Mrs. John V. Scott Pioneer Shastain Is Called Beyond - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 3, 1924

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, March 13, 1952

Shasta: The Queen City by Mabel Moores Frisbie and Jean Moores Beauchamp, published by California Historical Society, ©1973.

Shasta State Historic Park Brief History and Tour Guide, published by Shasta State Historic Park, ©July 1985

John Varner Scott: The Shasta Hostelry Man written by Jeremy M. Tuggle, published on March 20, 2019.

Shasta, California's Historic 1860's Courthouse.

Filmed on location.

In this episode of Exploring Shasta County History, I explore the interior of Shasta, California's Historic 1860's Courthouse, and its history, which still stands in the present-day town of (Old) Shasta. This wasn't the first courthouse in Shasta County's history, due to Major Pierson B. Reading's Adobe housing county records, and it wasn’t the first courthouse in Shasta either. It was actually the second courthouse in this ghost town. Come learn more in this episode of Exploring Shasta County History.

Resources:

Pacific Coast Dispatches - The Sacramento Bee newspaper of Sacramento, August 27, 1874

The Gallows - The San Francisco Examiner newspaper of San Francisco, August 27, 1874

Execution of Baker and Crouch - The Appeal-Democrat newspaper of Marysville, California, August 27, 1874

Hanged By the Neck Until Dead - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 17, 1903

Here's More About Romantic History of Old Shasta - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 10, 1940

Museum Impress Fourth Graders - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 24, 1965

My Playhouse Was A Concord Coach, an anthology of newspaper clippings and documents relating to those who made California history during the years 1822-1888, by Mae Hélène Bacon Boggs. Published by Howell-North Press ©1942

Shasta County, California A History by Rosena Giles, published by Biobooks, ©1949.

Shasta: The Queen City by Mabel Moores Frisbie and Jean Moores Beauchamp, published by California Historical Society, ©1973. 

OVERCOMING SLAVERY: PHOEBE COLBURN.

"Overcoming Slavery.”, is the incredible true story of one of Shasta County, California's earliest pioneer women settlers who was born into slavery, in Alabama, and was illiterate during her lifetime. Later on, this pioneer woman obtained her own freedom from her master, and then she defied all odds during her lifetime while residing in the town of Shasta throughout the 1850s, 1860s and into the 1870s. This remarkable woman held title to various properties as well. Come learn about the life of Phoebe Colburn who was employed as a house cleaner and made money as a local seamstress and milliner who made and sold dresses as well as hats in the area. Find out more about this remarkable woman in my newest YouTube video from Exploring Shasta County History. Phoebe Colburn died in Shasta, Shasta County, California, on November 22, 1876, and left an impressive estate. Attached images is a collage of consisting of Phoebe Colburn and a sketch of the Foot of the Moutain Station, which she worked at, and later owned and operated. Filmed on location, June 24, 2024.

Resources:

1860 U.S. Census

Mechanic's Lien Notice - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, February 9, 1861

District Court - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, March 11, 1865

1870 U.S. Census

Black Lives in Depth written by Tim Holt - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 8, 2015

Phoebe Coulbourn (1822-1876) - Find a Grave Memorial

In Memory of an Indian boy | Lynette's NorCal History Blog (wordpress.com)

Phoebe Colburn | goldfields (goldfieldsbooks.com)

More About Phoebe Colburn 

https://butte.libguides.com/blogs/libraryrunner/Black-History-Stories-of-the-North-Valley

Col William Magee (1806-1892) - Find a Grave Memorial

Shasta Masonic Cemetery, Established: 1864

 

The first recorded burial here was William Benedict Hull, known as "Willie", he was born at Shasta on May 3, 1863, and died at Buckeye on August 23, 1863, at the age of three months and twenty days. He was the son of Shasta County Sheriff, Sylvester Hull, also known as "Vet", and his wife, Martha Fidelia (Whiting) Hull who are also buried here. This historic cemetery was established the following year in 1864 and is located at 11471 Mule Town Road at Shasta, in Shasta County, California, and just southwest of the town of Shasta and three miles from the City of Redding. Come discover the lives which these pioneer residents led and see their final resting place in this video. Among the early pioneers who are buried here is Lloyd Lee Carter, a son of a local pioneer newspaper man who captured the notorious outlaw and highwayman, Charles Lyman Ruggles, of the infamous Ruggles Brothers after the Ruggles' Brothers deadly heist of May 14, 1892, on Middle Creek Road near Shasta Carter caught some fame after capturing the notorious bandit with two of his friends. Filmed on location July 4, 2024.

Resources:

1850 U.S. Census

1852 California State Census

1860 U.S. Census

Fire At Shasta - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, February 28, 1860

A Dwelling Burned - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, March 3, 1860

Board of Supervisors - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, February 16, 1861

Died - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, September 26, 1863

Died - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, March 11, 1865

Died - The Trinity Journal newspaper of Weaverville, January 27, 1866

Administrators Sale of Real Estate - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, November 17, 1866

1870 U.S. Census

1880 U.S. Census

California U.S. Voter Registration 1885

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, September 10, 1892

Sylvester Hull Dead - The Red Bluff Daily News newspaper of Red Bluff, November 24, 1899

Death Of a Pioneer - The San Francisco Call newspaper of San Francisco, November 24, 1899

Mr. Hull's Funeral - The Red Bluff Daily News newspaper of Red Bluff, November 25, 1899

The Ruggles Brothers' Reward - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, September 7, 1895

1896, California Voters Registration

1899, City & Business Directory of Shasta County

1900 U.S. Census

Death Ends Pain of Editor Carter - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 3, 1901

W.L. Carter’s Obsequies - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 3, 1901

Daniel P. Bystle Answers the Call - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, June 8, 1903

A Shasta Pioneer Called by Death - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 9, 1903

1910 U.S. Census

1920 U.S. Census

1930 U.S. Census

1940 U.S. Census

Our Storied Landmarks – Shasta County, California, written by May H. Southern, published by Balakshin Printing Company, ©1942.

My Playhouse Was A Concord Coach, an anthology of newspaper clippings and documents relating to those who made California history during the years 1822-1888, by Mae Hélène Bacon Boggs. Published by Howell-North Press ©1942

Shasta County, California A History by Rosena Giles, published by Biobooks, ©1949.

Place Names of Shasta County by Gertrude A. Steger revision by Helen Hinckley Jones, ©1966 by La Siesta Press, Glendale, California

Shasta State Historic Park Brief History and Tour Guide, published by Shasta State Historic Park, ©July 1985

A Newspaper of Prosperity and Longevity: the Shasta Courier written by Jeremy Tuggle - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 3, 2016

Furnacville & Ingot: The Home of the Afterthought Mine written by Jeremy Tuggle, June 23, 2021

The Cold Storage Cellar of the City Market at Shasta, California.

This historic 10x14 foot cold storage room is situated in the ghost town of Shasta, in Shasta County, California, at Shasta State Historic Park, located near Redding. It was built in the 1850s and utilized by numerous owners and operators of the City Market, a thriving butcher business in town. Coming into a long chain of succession of ownership it became a permanent fixture for local Shastan’s. Find out who, what and more in this video from Exploring Shasta County History. 

Filmed on locations August 5, 2024.

RESOURCES:

Settle Up! - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, February 20, 1864

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, August 6, 1864

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, January 7, 1871

Notice - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, February 4, 1871

Business Directory - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, February 10, 1872

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 8, 1878

Destructive Fire in Shasta - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, August 17, 1878

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, September 14, 1878

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, September 28, 1878

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, April 10, 1880

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, January 7, 1882

Notice to Creditors - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, March 11, 1882

1885 Business Directory of Shasta County

Peter Hoff Goes to His Reward - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, December 2, 1902

Peter Hoff’s Funeral - The Free Press newspaper of Shasta, December 3, 1902

Pioneer Resident Called by Death - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, December 3, 1902

Lorrenz Garrecht Dies at Shasta Home - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, January 16, 1905

Shasta County, California A History by Rosena Giles, published by Biobooks, ©1949.

Shasta: The Queen City by Mabel Moores Frisbie and Jean Moores Beauchamp, published by California Historical Society, ©1973.

Shasta State Historic Park Brief History and Tour Guide, published by Shasta State Historic Park, ©July 1985

Valentine Doll written by Jeremy M. Tuggle, the 2011 Covered Wagon, published annually by Shasta Historical Society, pages 43-49. 

Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland, California, the Shasta County Connections, the Famous and the Historical Figures.

This documentary starts with local Shasta County, California, pioneers, which continues to cover some of the nationally renowned famous people, as well as some of the historical figures buried within this amazing 226-acre cemetery. Journey with me as we explore the Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland, Alameda County, California, which was established in 1863. From murder victim Elizabeth Short also known as the Black Dahlia, to legendary Oakland rapper Mac Dre, and then to Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, Ernie Lombardi, is just a small portion of the famous people buried here. Among the millionaires are Domenico Ghirardelli and Charles Crocker, who are both historical figures like James A. Folger, and Henry G. Blasdell. Come find out about the life these famous and historical people led.

Video filmed on location July 31, 2024.

JOHNSTON LECKY GRAVESITE AT SHASTA.

Note: this gravesite is located on private property in Shasta.

The headstone of Johnston Lecky (1809-1849) at Shurtleff Hill in Shasta. Courtesy of Shasta Historical Society.

The town of Shasta was established in 1848 as a sprawling tent community called Reading Springs which was surrounded by gold rush pandemonium as miners pitched up tents establishing the new settlement. A natural spring flowed near the community adding to its original name of Reading Springs. Reading Springs was named in honor of Major Pierson B. Reading (pronounced like the color red) the first European-American settler in Shasta County, California. The population at Reading Springs increased between 500 and 600 residents in September of 1849, near the end of Johnston Lecky's life on October 8, 1849. During the interim the name Reading Springs was changed to Shasta on June 8, 1850. It was named Shasta by Armstead C. Brown an early pioneer settler. Brown named the town Shasta because it was the nearest town to Mount Shasta. Siskiyou County wasn't formed yet in California until 1852. As Shasta grew, the early settlers made it a ramshackle community, but the town flourished.

On March 6, 1851, the town of Shasta became the county seat of Shasta County. Shasta was now a bustling city, and a future post office and a courthouse would be constructed soon. Locals would come to call it the Queen City of the Northern Mines or simply, the Queen City of the North, due to the many accommodations it boasted during its heyday. Johnston Lecky is well remembered by local historians in the area and what's known of him is that he caught the gold fever and came out during the California Gold Rush. Johnston Lecky became the first recorded death and burial in the history of Shasta County, California. He was a native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. His burial is located on Shurtleff Hill in the present-day town of Shasta. I was fortunate to create and Johnston Lecky to my Find A Grave.com, account today, and honor him with a proper memorial. This posting is an extension of that memorial found at: Johnston Lecky (1809-1849) - Find a Grave Memorial.

Resources:

The 1944 Covered Wagon, published by Shasta Historical Society, page 40.

The 1945 Yearbook, published by Shasta Historical Society, page 2.

Solitary Graves - The Oakland Tribune newspaper  of Oakland, December 8, 1946

Report On Cemeteries and Lone Graves written by Beth Shuford. The 1965 Covered Wagon. Published by Shasta Historical Society, pages 40-42.

The "Cemetery Book" and Some of its Stories written by Beth Shuford. The 1973 Covered Wagon Published by Shasta Historical Society, pages 60-70.

Shasta County, California A History by Rosena Giles, published by Biobooks, ©1949, page 188.

Shasta's Growth, Prosperity and Decline, Part One written by Jeremy Tuggle. Published July 5, 2018.

Shasta's Growth, Prosperity and Decline, Part Two written by Jeremy Tuggle. Published July 5, 2018

Johnston Lecky Gravesite Photo. Courtesy of Shasta Historical Society.

SHASTA COUNTY'S PIONEER GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORE: THE McCORMICK-SAELTZER COMPANY, AND IT'S BRANCHES.

Where would your ancestors have purchased a Studebaker horse drawn wagon during the late 19th century in Redding? What was Redding's biggest store, who were the entrepreneurs behind this annual million-dollar general merchandise business. Other than Redding, where were the other branches located? Find out more in my newest episode of Exploring Shasta County History.

RESOURCES:

1860 U.S. Census

California Voter Register, 1866

Dentistry (advertisement) - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 30, 1866

City Drug Store (advertisement) - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, January 11, 1868

1870 U.S. Census

Dissolution Of Partnership - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, May 5, 1877

McCormick-Saeltzer & Co. - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, September 29, 1877

Dr. Wellendorf - The Reading Independent newspaper of Redding, October 31, 1877

Our Merchants - The Reading Independent newspaper of Redding, October 31, 1877

McCormick Saeltzer & Co. - The Reading Independent newspaper of Redding, May 22, 1879

1880 U.S. Census

Misfortune - The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, October 20, 1883

Our Merchants - The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, November 10, 1883

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, September 6, 1884

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, March 14, 1885

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 4, 1885

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 16, 1885

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 11, 1885

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 1, 1885

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 29, 1885

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

Our Business - The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, June 12, 1886

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, October 2, 1886

New Incorporation - The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 21, 1888

Holt & Gregg - The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, June 2, 1888

Consolidated - The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, November 24, 1888

1900 U.S. Census

Two New Buildings to Be Erected - The Daily Free Press newspaper of Redding, March 22, 1900

Louie Autenreith (branch store at Carrville) - The Daily Free Press newspaper of Redding, March 25, 1901

Carrville Is Growing - The Daily Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 9, 1901

Big Store Clerks Have Falling Out - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, December 17, 1901

Big Store Firm May Soon Build Large Addition - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 20, 1902

W.L. Smith's Estate Goes to Probate Court - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, June 7, 1902

W.L. Smith's Will Goes to Probate - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 22, 1902

Mrs. Boggs Wants Her Money Back - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 18, 1902

Mrs. Boggs Temporarily Suspended as Administratix - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 9, 1902

Smith's Stock in Big Store Stands in Boggs' Name - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 10, 1902

They Acknowledge Smith's Widow of Smith - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 23, 1902

Smith Will Case is Set Down for Trial - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, October 4, 1902

Executrix Point is Passed Along - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 4, 1902

Fire In Big Store Building - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, December 19, 1902

The Smith Estate Comes Up in Court - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, December 21, 1902

Will Contests Are Dismissed - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 1, 1903

Big Store Company Sues Smith Estate - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 20, 1903

Two Suits Over Stock in the Big Store - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, October 23, 1903

Vast Changes in McCormick-Saeltzer Store - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 18, 1903

The Big Store to Be Made Bigger - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 19, 1903

Smith's Will Is Twice Attacked - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 21, 1903

The Big Store's New Building - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 11, 1903

Smith Estate to Be Settled Soon - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 9, 1903

James McCormick Is Number with the Dead - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, June 9, 1905

Says Her Father Was Unduly Influenced - The San Francisco Call newspaper of San Francisco, July 4, 1905

Several Wills Filed - The San Francisco Call newspaper of San Francisco, June 21, 1905

Chico Record newspaper of Chico, July 7, 1905

Makes Offer of Compromise - The San Francisco Call newspaper of San Francisco, December 1, 1905

The McCormick-Saeltzer Co. Offers Reward - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 26, 1906

Saeltzer Clerk Is Arrested - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 1, 1907

Jeffords Is Found Not Guilty - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 12, 1907

Delamar Eats Up Big Store Team - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 3, 1908 

Rudolph Saeltzer Wins Promotion - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 25, 1909

1910 U.S. Census

1920 U.S. Census

Old Timer Passes In San Francisco - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 22, 1923

Court Adjourns in Honor of Merchant - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, February 14, 1927

Final Tribute to Be Paid Monday to R.M. Saeltzer - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, February 14, 1927

Chamber Honors R.M. Saeltzer - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, February 16, 1927

R.M. Saeltzer Estate Estimated At $250,000 - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, February 16, 1927

1930 U.S. Census

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 12, 1933

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 14, 1933

Klement Buys Big Store - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 22, 1938

1940 U.S. Census  

Fire Levels Block; Still Burns - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 13, 1940

Big Store Will Be Rebuilt Immediately - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, January 14, 1940

To Start Big Store Salvaging - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, January 18, 1940

Big Store Claims Paid - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, January 1940

Pioneer Store May Purchase Big Store Lot - The Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 29, 29, 1940

Saeltzers to Rebuild Soon On Old Site - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 5, 1940

McCormick-Saeltzer to Rebuild; Labor Dispute on Job Settled - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 6, 1940

Pioneer Will Rebuild Big Store - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, March 31, 1940

Pioneer Store to Buy Big Store Property - The Redding Record Searchlight of Redding, April 1, 1940

To Build Big Store Soon - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 1, 1940

More Than $200,000 Will Be Spent in Construction of Big Store Building - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 2, 1940

Big Store Lot Sold For $55,000 - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 17, 1940

Issue Permit for Big Store - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 30, 1940

Revocation of Permit Halts Big Store Job - The Redding Record Searchlight of Redding, May 13, 1940

Wm. M. Klement Buys Hardware Depat., and Big Market Real Estate; to Retire As Pioneer Store President - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 15, 1940

City to Require Inspector On Pioneer Store - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 24, 1940

Beautiful New Pioneer Store Block to Open Tomorrow - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 18, 1940

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 19, 1940

First Stores of New Block Opened Today - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 19, 1940

My Playhouse Was a Concord Coach, an anthology of newspaper clippings and documents relating to those who made California history during the years 1822-1888, by Mae Hélène Bacon Boggs. Published by Howell-North Press ©1942

Three Years Ago Today: Million Dollar Fire Destroyed Big Store - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 13, 1943

R.M. Saeltzer's Itchy Feet Brought Him Here - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 10, 1950

The Redding Record-Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 29, 1961

MP-019 McCormick, James Pioneer Plaque file on file at Shasta Historical Society

SP-033 Smith, Williamson Lincoya Pioneer Plaque file on file at Shasta Historical Society

R.M. Saeltzer, Adventurer by Florence M. Saeltzer - The Covered Wagon 1951, published by Shasta Historical Society. Pages 19-24

A Redding Landmark for Sixty-Three Years McCormick-Saeltzer Company - The Covered Wagon 1972. Pages 32-38

TRINITY JOURNAL 1992 - The Carrville Inn by Kit Waller, pages 11-31. Published by the Trinity County Historical Society.

Shedding New Light on James McCormick by Karen Taylor - The Covered Wagon 2012, published by Shasta Historical Society. Pages 47-54.

UPDATE: FINDING A SECONDARY MINE SHAFT AT THE MOUNT SHASTA MINE.

Filmed on location.

My last visit to this mine was in 2020 and on October 21, 2023, I returned to the Mount Shasta Mine in the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and is part of the Shasta Mining District. This site dates to 1897. Upon my return to the site, I found some familiar things like the old tailing/waste rock piles, a prospect, an adit, foundations of its stamp mill and the known incline shaft that's fenced off by the park service. However, I was least expecting to find something new...

What surprised me was locating a secondary vertical shaft on top of the main haulage tunnel of the adit. Possibly, it could be a raise as well from inside the main haulage tunnel which are practically the same thing, however it was a shock to me to find this plugged shaft. The known incline shaft has a fence around it and is right next to the trail with water in the incline shaft. While the new shaft is plugged at this historic mining site. I'm hoping to explore more of the area soon.

RESOURCES:

Mining and Scientific Press, 75 no. 18 (October 1897)

The Free Press newspaper of Redding, October 14, 1899

The Free Press newspaper of Redding, January 22, 1900

Mount Shasta Mine Sold and Paid For - The Courier Free-Press newspaper of Redding, February 16, 1912

Mount Shasta Mine Sold to H.O. Cummins - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 22, 1913

Mines and Mineral Resources of Shasta County, Siskiyou County, and Trinity County, by G. Chester Brown, ©1915 published by California State Printing Office.

Historic Resource Study Whiskeytown National Recreation Area by Anna Coxe Toogood, May 1978, Denver Service Center, Historic Preservation Team, National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior

The Mount Shasta Mine: A Gold Mine on the Mt. Shasta Mine Loop Trail written by Jeremy M. Tuggle, September 16, 2020

THE MOUNT SHASTA MINE OF THE SHASTA MINING DISTRICT

The Remaining Historic Relics at Waugh's Ferry and the Townsite of Waugh at Middle Creek

Filmed on location. Copyright: 2022 and 2023.

Resources: 

Dissolution Copartnership - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, December 24, 1853

Court of Sessions - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, April 8, 1854

$50 Reward - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, May 6, 1854

Notice - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, October 28, 1854

Notice - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, November 18, 1854

District Court, November Term, 1854 - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, December 2, 1854

District Court, November Term, 1854 - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, December 9, 1854

Notice - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, October 27, 1855

District Court - May Term - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, May 22, 1858

Board Of Supervisors- The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, February 12, 1859

News of the Morning - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, June 10, 1859

Supreme Court Decision - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 11, 1859

Rains, Snows and Floods - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, January 15, 1859 

Board of Supervisors - May Term - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, May 11, 1861

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, January 25, 1862

Copper Lead - The Marysville Daily Appeal newspaper of Marysville, April 16, 1863

Ferry Notice - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, July 30, 1864

Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors August Term 1854 - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, August 13, 1864

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, February 10, 1866

High Water In Shasta County - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, February 15, 1866

New Boat - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, February 2, 1867

Stranded - The Shasta Courier newspaper Shasta, February 28, 1868

Accident - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, September 11, 1869

Elevations - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 18, 1870

Railroad Surveys - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, August 13, 1870

Died - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, September 9, 1871

Death of the Waugh Brothers - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, September 9, 1871

Inheritance - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, April 27, 1872

Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors for the May Term 1872 - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, May 18, 1872

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, March 15, 1881

Railroad Notes - The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 28, 1883

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, April 28, 1883 

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

Deed - May 5, 1883, Joseph Waugh to Central Pacific Railroad 

Transfers - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, May 12, 1883

Real Estate Transfers - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 12, 1883

The New Road - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, May 12, 1883

Deeds - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 12, 1883

Pacific Coast Items - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, May 19, 1883

Our Neighbors - The Humboldt Times newspaper of Eureka, May 20, 1883

Our Neighbors - The Humboldt Times newspaper of Eureka, June 5, 1883

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, July 7, 1883

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 7, 1883

The New Road - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, July 14, 1883

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, August 11, 1883

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, August 25, 1883

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, September 1, 1883

Real Estate Transfers - The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, October 6, 1883

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, February 23, 1884

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 5, 1884

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 23, 1884

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, November 1, 1884 (Redding to Middle Creek completed)

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, November 15, 1884

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, January 24, 1885

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, September 19, 1885

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, September 26, 1885

The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 31, 1886

Middle Creek News - The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, January 14, 1888

Middle Creek News - The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, March 17, 1888

Middle Creek Notes - The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, February 18, 1888

Middle Creek News - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 5, 1888

Middle Creek News - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, January 12, 1889

Middle Creek News - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, February 9, 1889

The Free Press newspaper of Redding, February 13, 1892

Crossed Over the River - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, March 12, 1892

Another Pioneer Gone - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, March 12, 1892

Notice For Publication - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, April 9, 1892

Notes From Middle Creek - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 1, 1893

Pioneer Mrs. Waugh Dies Peacefully - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, March 20, 1901

Middle Creek Middlings - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 11, 1901

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 7, 1901

The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, August 11, 1901

Mongolian Pheasants - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, July 20, 1901

Railroad Will Build Depot at Middle Creek - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, December 21, 1903

Middle Creek Is Supplying Gold - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 26, 1904

Post Office at Waugh No More - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 29, 1906

Waugh Office Closes June 30 - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 31, 1906

Post Office Has Been Discontinued - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, May 31, 1906

Waugh Office Abolished - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 1, 1906

Middle Creek Hotel for Sale - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 27, 1907

Middle Creek Depot - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, January 4, 1911

Depot At Middle Creek Moved Away - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, March 24, 1914

Warehouse At Middle Creek Is Torn Down - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, March 11, 1921

Do You Remember? - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, March 23, 1934

Group To View Historical Spots - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 17, 1947

U.S., Appointments of U.S. Postmasters, 1832-1971

My Playhouse Was A Concord Coach, an anthology of newspaper clippings and documents relating to those who made California history during the years 1822-1888, by Mae Hélène Bacon Boggs. Published by Howell-North Press ©1942

Shasta County, California A History by Rosena Giles, published by Biobooks, ©1949.

Place Names of Shasta County by Gertrude A. Steger revision by Helen Hinckley Jones, ©1966 by La Siesta Press, Glendale, California

Shasta: The Queen City by Mabel Moores Frisbie and Jean Moores Beauchamp, published by California Historical Society, ©1973.

A Hidden Highway Under Whiskeytown Lake?

Filmed on location March 19, 2022.

A low Whiskeytown Lake reveals one of its many hidden secrets as Jeremy M. Tuggle poses in front of it for a photograph on March 19, 2022.

Resources:

Shasta - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, April 13, 1852

Shasta - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, June 14, 1852

California Legislature - Fifth Session - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, April 15, 1854

Trinity River Correspondence - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, May 20, 1854

From Weaverville - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, January 6, 1855

Trinity River Correspondence - The Trinity Journal newspaper of Weaverville, February 17, 1855

Trip To Weaverville - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, October 13, 1855

Report of the Wagon Road Committee - The Trinity Journal newspaper of Weaverville, June 20, 1857

Organization Of The Wagon Road Co. - The Trinity Journal newspaper of Weaverville, June 27, 1857

Wagon Road Meeting And Report Of Survey - The Trinity Journal newspaper of Weaverville, July 25, 1857

Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors - Aug. Term - The Trinity Journal newspaper of Weaverville, August 8, 1857

Wagon Road Meeting - The Trinity Journal newspaper of Weaverville, August 15, 1857

The Wagon Road - The Trinity Journal newspaper of Weaverville, August 15, 1857

The Trinity Wagon Road - The Shasta Republican newspaper of Shasta, August 22, 1857

Weaverville Wagon Road - The Sacramento Union newspaper of Sacramento, September 1, 1857

Hurrah For The Wagon Road - The Trinity Journal newspaper of Weaverville, October 3, 1857

Wagon Roads - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, October 16, 1857

The Sacramento Valley And Weaverville Wagon Company - The Shasta Republican newspaper of Shasta, October 16, 1857

Shasta And Our Neighbors - The Trinity Journal  newspaper of Weaverville, November 7, 1857

The Wagon Road - The Trinity Journal newspaper of Weaverville, November 28, 1857

Progress Of the Wagon Road - The Trinity Journal newspaper of Weaverville, December 26, 1857

Trinity Wagon  Road - The Trinity Journal newspaper of Weaverville, February 6, 1858

Wagon Road To Weaverville - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, March 27, 1858

Improvements As We Go - The Trinity Journal newspaper of Weaverville, March 27, 1858

The Trinity Wagon Road - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, January 2, 1858

The Road - The Shasta Republican newspaper of Shasta, January 16, 1858

The Louden Road - The Shasta Republican newspaper of Shasta, March 13, 1858 

Increased Travel To The North - The Trinity Journal newspaper of Weaverville, September 11, 1858

Staging To Weaverville - The Shasta Republican newspaper of Shasta, April 24, 1858

Trail To Weaverville - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, April 24, 1858

To Weaverville - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, May 1, 1858

Teams To Weaverville - The Shasta Republican newspaper of Shasta, May 15, 1858

A Bad Road - The Shasta Republican newspaper of Shasta, November 20, 1858

Bill Lowden declares... - The Trinity Journal newspaper of Weaverville, December 18, 1858

The Redding And Weaverville Stage - by May H. Southern, January 22, 1933, sketch by Mabel Lowden Moores, 388 - P. 1086; VF 388.0 Roads/Trails Misc., Roads/Trails 1086, available at Shasta Historical Society in Redding.

My Playhouse Was A Concord Coach, an anthology of newspaper clippings and documents relating to those who made California history during the years 1822-1888, by Mae Hélène Bacon Boggs. Published by Howell-North Press ©1942

Shasta County, California A History by Rosena Giles, published by Biobooks, ©1949

Historic Resource Study Whiskeytown National Recreation Area by Anna Coxe Toogood, May 1978, Denver Service Center, Historic Preservation Team, National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, by Al M. Rocca, Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (May 3, 2010) ISBN10: 1451568533,ISBN-13: 978-1451568530

THE BURIAL SITE OF SUSAN LORENZ (1844-1925)

This video focuses on the family history and  burial site of Susan Lorenz, who established the iconic Lorenz Hotel in Redding, Shasta County, California. This video focuses on what I didn’t relate in my earlier article which I wrote and published here: 

The Lorenz Hotel

The Sky Blue mine

Above: an advertisement for the Sky Blue mine by the Original Sky Blue Ledge Mining Company, from the Shasta Courier newspaper edition of July 23, 1864

In 1863 Colonel William Magee, a noted surveyor, miner, prospector, and resident of Shasta, California, located the quartz vein of the Original Sky Blue mine of the Middle Creek mining district.

After an examination of this vein, gold was extracted from it which yielded some lucrative high-grade gold that assayed well. After that Magee called it the Sky Blue and he began transitioning it into a quartz mine with a main haulage tunnel, winzes, raises, and drifts. This mine was situated on the east bank of the Sacramento River, just below Waugh’s Ferry. One of the best featured uncovered was an imposing ledge of gold & copper ore.

On April 8, 1863, Magee established the Sky Blue Ledge Company, of which he was the sole owner. Two years later, articles of incorporation were filed at Shasta for the Original Sky Blue Ledge Company by Colonel William Magee.

This company held its business meetings at Shasta. J. Van Schaik, another Shasta resident, was hired by Magee as superintendent at this mining property, and soon additional miners were employed to assist with the work. The first orders given by Magee were the existing haulage tunnel he had previously created. Later, additional extractions of gold and copper were made within the mine once they ran a drift back sixty feet and struck the main quartz vein.

The nearest stamp mill to the Sky Blue mine was the Pioneer Mill which was located on Spring Creek. The original Sky Blue Ledge Company negotiated a contract with the Pioneer Mill for the purpose of crushing their rock. Over 200 tons of rock at the Sky Blue mine was ready to be crushed by the powerful stamps. This rock contained excellent deposits of gold. The original Sky Blue Ledge Company and the Pioneer Mill finalized the contract that month for future shipments which were hauled to their mill by teams.

Other equipment that the Pioneer Mill owned was a small, crude quartz crusher and a ball mill from which it obtained particles from crushed quartz.

During the 1870’s ownership of the Sky Blue mine passed into the hands of Joseph Waugh, a resident of Middle Creek, who was the owner of Waugh’s Ferry.

In May of 1875 there is a record of this claim in the Index To Mining Claims Book I, It appears there were two additional Sky Blue mines in Shasta County at that time as well which were recorded as being near the town of Buckeye, in the Old Diggings mining district.

During October of 1878, assessments claimed that the rock from Waugh’s mine would pay him $300 per ton. Waugh became rich off this lucrative mining property. Years later, E.P. Connor, a local miner and prospector, acquired the Sky Blue mine, and on June 21, 1890, the Free Press newspaper of Redding reported the following:

“The Sky Blue mine above Middle Creek, owned by E.P. Connor promises to be one of the choice mining properties of the county. He has a shaft down 25 feet on a rich pay chute of rotten quartz, and rusty gold very rich. He proposes to run the old Sky Blue tunnel some 400 feet and tap this chute at a depth of 260 feet. The nature of the country is such that the mine can be opened up at a comparatively small expense.“

In 1902, the Sky Blue mine was purchased by the Redding Gold & Copper Mining Company for $20,000. The owner and president of this mining company was Thomas Gilbert. Other mines in Shasta County were included in this transaction and they were La Plant and Bedford Group near Keswick; Stabler group near Centerville, White Group near Igo.

Gilbert and his mining company began making plans to build a reduction-works on the Sky Blue mining property. The group still had ownership of the mine in 1906 and they held onto it until 1910 when the Redding Gold & Copper Mining Company sold it to W. Oberlin and R.F. Lind – natives of Ohio. The total amount of the purchase price was not released. After this time the Sky Blue mine became idle.

RESOURCES:

Sky Blue Ledge Company - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, April 11, 1863

Organized - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, April 11, 1863

Leg Broken - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, May 21, 1864

Delinquent Notice - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 18, 1864 

Spring Creek Mill - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 18, 1864

Spring Creek Mill - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 25, 1864

Original Sky Blue Quartz Mining Company (advertisement) - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, July 23, 1864

Original Sky Blue Quartz Mining Company (advertisement) - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, February 18, 1865

Incorporated - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, February 25, 1865

Index to Mining Claims Book 1 - page 238, Sky Blue mine, dated May 7, 1875

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, October 26, 1878

Joe Waugh - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, November 9, 1878

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, November 23, 1878.

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, December 7, 1878 

Joseph Waugh’s Quartz ledge - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, December 21, 1878

The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, January 18, 1879 

Mining Notes - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, June 21, 1890

Crossed Over the River (Joseph Waugh obituary) - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, March 12, 1892

Mining and Scientific Press Volume 85, 1902, page 226 

Mines Register: Successor to the Mines Handbook and the Copper, 1906, Volumes 6-7 by Horace J. Stevens, page 851

The Engineering and Minining Journal Vol. LXXXIX, January to June 1910. Published by Hill Publishing, New York

Short Talks With Busy And Women - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 23, 1912

THE HISTORIC LIME KILNS

Above: the historic lime kiln fully intact, date unknown. Courtesy of Shasta Historical Society.

There are two wood burning lime kilns which were made from natural stone in the Clear Creek area of western Shasta County in between the pioneer towns of Briggsville and Horsetown at Bulgin Gulch (name also found as Buljon Gulch & Bulgin’ Gulch). Since the early 1850s the production of quicklime remained active at this location. The limestone was extracted and fired to quicklime then hydrated into lime to be utilized as the main source for making plaster and mortar for building purposes. Today, both kilns are located on private property.

Among the earliest known owners and operators of this lime kiln operation was Samuel R. Clough, a native of England, who ventured west from Luzerne County, Pennsylvania with his wife Debora (Turner) Clough, and their daughter Mary K. Clough to Shasta County. The family settled at Briggsville about 1855 when Samuel R. Clough partnered with Isaac Parks in the lime kiln industry. Then on, June 20, 1855, a dissolution of partnership was dissolved by mutual consent for their lime kiln business of which Clough took sole possession of.

Above: an advertisement for lime by Samuel Clough, from the September 15, 1855 edition of the Shasta Courier newspaper.

Two years later, Debora (Turner) Clough had the Shasta Republican newspaper of Shasta publish a notarized announcement to the public stating the following facts:

“SOLE TRADER

KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENT, that I, Debora Clough, and wife of Samuel Clough, a resident of Briggsville, in Shasta County, and State of California, do hereby declare my intention to avail myself of an “Act to authorize married women to transact business in their own name as sole traders,” passed April 12, 1852 in conducting the Lime Kiln, and business connected there with about a half mile from Briggsville in said County of Shasta. And I do further declare that the whole sum invested in said business aforesaid does not exceed the sum of five thousand dollars. Witness, my hand in seal at Shasta this 16th day of February, 1858.” (SIC) This announcement was notarized by Homer A. Curtiss, a notary public and resident of Shasta.

It was rather unusual for women to conduct business in the lime kiln industry; and she was a pioneer woman. Eventually, more women exercised their rights as sole traders in Shasta County. Then on, April 12, 1858, a sheriff’s sale took place against Samuel Clough at Briggsville for his personal property. This personal property consisted of “one town lot, thirty feet front and running back one hundred feet, situated in the town of Briggsville, together with a two-story frame dwelling house situated thereon."

By December 4, 1858, Debora (Turner) Clough owed the County of Shasta $8.40 in delinquent taxes which included one house, a lot of lime, and debts in Briggsville. Apparently, she paid them off because the amount didn’t roll over into the following year’s delinquent tax list.

According to the 1860 U.S. Census, the Clough family was living at Shasta, when their district was enumerated on June 5, 1860. It was probably due to the sheriff’s sale of their property two years before at Briggsville which forced them to move to the county seat. Samuel was the head of the family at the age of thirty-four and his occupation was listed as a brick mason. His wife was listed at the age of thirty, with no occupation given which is rather interesting because of her interest in the Sole Traders Act. Their daughter Mary K. Clough was listed at the age of nine years old; it was more than likely that she attended school at Shasta.

Six years later, Debora (Turner) Clough relocated to Idaho, where she married a second time to Stephen J. Pierce. It’s not known what happened to Samuel R. Clough, he seems to have disappeared from historical records. The historic lime kilns on Clear Creek appeared to have been abandoned after the Clough’s operated it.

According to the “Mines and Mineral Resources of Shasta County, California – County Report 6” written by Philip A. Lydon and J.C. O’ Brien, they reported that this lime kiln operation produced small amounts of quicklime prior to 1893. Then in 1926, brief periods of activity occurred at this site, “when a few hundred tons slaked lime were produced and sold for agricultural use. Idled since.”

Retraction: In my book, A Journey Through Time: Ono and the Bald Hills, page 17, published by Preserving Memories in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2008. I documented Debora (Turner) Clough’s name as Dana Clough which is incorrect. The correct name is: Debora (Turner) Clough. Sometimes recorded as Deborah. She was born in 1831 in Pennsylvania and Debora (Turner) Clough Pierce died at Emmett, Gem County, Idaho on June 28, 1908 at the age of seventy-seven.

Above: a zoomed in shot of the lime kiln from Clear Creek Road. This photograph was taken by Jeremy Tuggle on January 10, 2021.

Resources:

Dissolution - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 23, 1855

Sole Trader - The Shasta Republican newspaper of Shasta, February 20, 1858

1860 U.S. Census

1870 U.S. Census

1880 U.S. Census

1900 U.S. Census

Place Names of Shasta County by Gertrude A. Steger revision by Helen Hinckley Jones, ©1966 by La Siesta Press, Glendale, California

Mines and Mineral Resources of Shasta County, California – County Report 6 – by Philip A. Lydon and J.C. O’ Brien ©1974 by California Division of Mines and Geology, pages 1-178.

A Journey Through Time: Ono and the Bald Hills by Jeremy M. Tuggle, published by Preserving Memories, Charlotte, North Carolina. 2008 Pages 95. ISBN: 978-0-9742576-8-6

Christmas Day At Shasta In 1854

After a night of celebration at the community Christmas Tree inside the Methodist Church at Shasta on Christmas Evening (Christmas Eve), local Shastan's both young and old retired to their homes that night expecting the arrival of Santa Claus, and remembering Jesus Christ, which is the real reason why we celebrate Christmas. The next day many residents anticipated the glorious tradition of gift exchange. Christmas Day, on December 25, 1854, began unusually quiet in the Queen City of North. Everyone was inside their homes enjoying this festive holiday with family and close friends. Shasta was lacking it’s usual populated streets, and business transactions, as well as the playful shouting of the youth in town, that day. The Shasta Courier newspaper edition of December 30, 1854, contained the following account:

"Christmas Day - This day passed off rather tamely in this place. No excitement - no fun - no frolicking - no snow balling - ('twas a regular Atlantic May day,) no sweet-heart visiting - (cause, the absence of material out of which sweet-hearts are composed,) no ginger-cakes - no taffy pulling's - no nothing! The day previous, however, was all life - half-a-dozen horse races having occurred in the streets. As near as we can recollect, we observed, while standing on the St. Charles porch for an hour, no less than six dogs pass with remarkable speed, and yelling lustily, the tail of each dog having appended thereto an old tin cup. This cruel, but intellectual amusement, seemed to be relished hugely by everybody, ourselves among the number, the passage of each dog have been received with vociferous cheering." (SIC)

Above: this article is taken from the Shasta Courier newspaper edition of December 30, 1854.

Merry Christmas to all...

Christmas Eve At Shasta In 1854

Above: this article is taken from the Shasta Courier newspaper of Saturday, December 30, 1854.

Just how was Christmas Evening (Christmas Eve) spent in Shasta in 1854? Thanks to the Shasta Courier newspaper from Shasta we have have this article which was printed by them on Saturday, December 30, 1854:

“Christmas Tree - The Christmas Tree on Christmas Evening, in the Methodist Church, was a most beautiful sight, and gave the little folks a vast amount of pleasure. Their little eye’s sparkled, and their little mouths made merry noise, as beautiful little Santa Claus distributed the various little presents. There little eyes were not only made to dance with the sight of beautiful toys, but their little mouths were feasted with all manner of cakes, candies, nuts and other “goodies”- after which, with arms filled with the fruit of the Christmas Tree, they repaired to their homes, where in the arms of good Morpheus, they doubtless spent the remainder of the night in beautiful dreams. We also, about the same time, retired to a pair of lonely blankets, with the words upon our lips, “Would I were a boy again!” (SIC)

The next day the town celebrated Christmas in their homes. Merry Christmas to all. To be continued...