SHASTA HISTORIC PARK RENOVATIONS NEARING COMPLETION
REDDING LIFESTYLES, REDDING RECREATION, SHASTA COUNTY
January 19th, 2009
The recent winter dry spell, including balmy mid-January temperatures, provides a great opportunity to take advantage of local outdoor attractions. The ruins at Shasta State Historic Park have been closed to park visitors for several months for renovations until just recently. The temporary 
construction fences are gone, new elevated walkways constructed, iron shutters freshly painted green and black and new steel reinforcements for the freestanding brick walls installed.
Missing are the yet-to-be-installed exhibits describing the ruins and history of this town that prospered for several decades in the mid-1800’s.
Much of the original town was destroyed by fire in December 1852, rebuilt, then six months later all 70 businesses on Main Street were destroyed again by fire. After most of the gold claims were exhausted in the late 1860’s, freight service, supplies and stagecoach business dropped off over time. The ultimate demise of Shasta as a commercial center was sealed when Redding was selected for the new Central Pacific Railroad Terminal. Businesses moved away from Shasta and Redding took over as county seat in 1888.
Don’t miss the Ruins Trail that traverses the hill above the ruins. The view
over the top of the ruins to the Courthouse and the Masonic Hall are spectacular. Take a quick tour of the Courthouse Museum including the basement jail and gallows. Just west of the park are the Union and Catholic Cemeteries connected by a hiking trail.
Today, Old Shasta, as locals refer to this town a couple miles west of Redding, is a delightful community of country homes at the doorstep of Whiskeytown Lake. Take a closer look if you get the chance!
View a slide show of Old Shasta http://www.visualtour.com/show.asp?T=1775800&prt=10003
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS GMAC
QUARTER CENTURY LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
