Kennett
The Town Beneath the Lake
Kennett was a bustling copper smelter town with 10,000 residents, hotels, theaters, and a red-light district. In 1942, Shasta Dam was completed, and the rising waters of Shasta Lake swallowed the entire town. During severe droughts, foundations and artifacts emerge from the receding waters.
Copper Boom
The Mammoth Copper Company built Kennett in 1905. The smelter processed ore from nearby mines, and the town grew rapidly. At its peak, Kennett had electric lights, telephone service, and multiple hotels.
Rising Waters
When Shasta Dam was planned, residents knew their town was doomed. By 1942, the last residents had relocated. The town was demolished, but foundations and some structures remain underwater.
Timeline
- 1905 - Founded Mammoth Copper Company built the town
- 1920s - Peak Population reached 10,000
- 1942 - Dam Completed Shasta Lake began filling, submerging town
- 2014 - Drought Foundations visible for first time in decades
Quick Facts
- The town included a Chinatown district
- Foundations emerge during severe droughts
- Artifacts are sometimes found on the dry lakebed
Location
Address: Submerged beneath Shasta Lake, California
Coordinates: 40.7975, -122.4031