Shasta
Shasta was the 'Queen City' of Northern California's Gold Rush, handling over $100,000 in gold dust
State: California
County: Shasta County
Founded: 1849
Shasta was the 'Queen City' of Northern California's Gold Rush, handling over $100,000 in gold dust weekly during its peak. Lost its role when bypassed by the railroad in 1873, then lost the county seat to Redding in 1888. Now a State Historic Park with restored courthouse museum.
Timeline
- Spring 1849 - Gold Discovery Gold found near Reading's Springs triggered rush from across California and Oregon.
- 1850-1851 - County Seat Renamed Shasta; became county seat and major supply hub for Trinity Diggins.
- 1852-1857 - Peak Years Over $100,000 in gold dust passed through weekly. Seven hotels, only post office in county.
- 1852-1853 - Fires Major fires led to brick construction that still stands today.
- 1873 - Railroad Bypass Central Pacific Railroad chose Redding instead. Shasta began declining.
- 1888 - Lost County Seat County seat moved to Redding. Many dismantled buildings to rebuild in Redding.
- 1932 - Preservation Designated California Historical Landmark. Added to National Register 1971.
Plan Your Visit
Best Time: Spring or fall
Difficulty: Easy - state park
Time Needed: 2-3 hours
Tips
- Restored Courthouse Museum open Thu-Sun 10AM-4PM
- Original jail and gallows visible
- Litsch General Store recreates 1880s shopping
- Pioneer Barn has mining equipment and stagecoach
Quick Facts
- So busy that crossing the street was considered dangerous
- Over $100,000 in gold dust passed through weekly at peak
- People dismantled buildings and rebuilt them in Redding after the railroad bypassed Shasta
- California Historical Landmark since 1932
Location
Address: 6 miles west of Redding, California
Coordinates: 40.5994, -122.4903