Historical Marker · No. 77
Old Town of Shasta
Shasta, Shasta County · California
Erected by California Centennials Commission; Shasta County Centennial Committee, 1950
The town took the name Shasta on June 8, 1850, and the people called Shasta did not live here. The county historical society lists five peoples within the county, the Wintu, Yana, Okwanuchu, Pit River and Hat Creek; the Shasta themselves lived to the north. This ground was Wintu. The bronze gives the rest: Reading's Springs in 1849, county seat from 1851 to 1888, the end of the wagon road and start of the Oregon pack trail until 1861, and a business district burned in 1853.
What the plaque says
Shasta Founded 1849 as Reading's Springs. Named Shasta June 8, 1850. Second county seat Shasta County 1851-1888. Metropolis northern California during 1850's. End road and beginning Oregon pack trail until 1861. Present home Western Star Lodge No. 2, F. & A. M., whose charter brought across plains Peter Lassen party 1848. Shurtleff House built 1851. Business section destroyed, fire 1853. Shasta Courier founded 1852. State Registered Landmark No. 77 Tablet furnished by California Centennials Commission. Base provided by Shasta County Centennial Committee Dedicated June 12, 1950
Where it stands
40.59906, -122.49223 · Directions
More markers nearby
- Father Rinaldi's Foundation of 1856 — 0.4 mi
- Pioneer Baby's Grave — 0.5 mi
- Whiskeytown — 4.5 mi
- Reading's Bar — 7.3 mi