Old Shasta Virtual Cache

In 1848 Pierson Reading found gold at nearby Clear Creek, and the word of gold spread. By 1849 the area was named Reading Springs. And a year later named Shasta. In its heyday it was the commercial center of Northern California with houses, hotels, stores, saloons, wagon trains on their way to Oregon, and the county seat. Some 2.5 million in gold passed though. In 1852 fire destroyed much of Shasta. Merchants rebuilt with brick walls and steel shutters. Shasta had the longest row of brick buildings north of San Francisco. The gold depleted by the 1860's. The railroad came to the area, placing its terminal in nearby Redding. Merchants left their businesses in Shasta to relocate in Redding. In 1888 the county seat moved to Redding. The remaining area quickly fell into disrepair. The California Parks Commision acquired much of the area in 1937.

Now stop and take in a tour of the Courthouse museum, and see all the great exibits. Be sure to visit the jail and say hello to the current resident(REALY, he's there). Visit the Pioneer Barn, the Brick Ruins, Union Cemetery (at the north end of Trinity Alley, just west of the Courthouse), and The Litsch Store. a little west of town is the Pioneers Baby Grave (historical marker).

Courthouse hours: Wed-Sun, 10a.m. to 5p.m. Admission: $2.00
The Litsch Store: Wed-Sun, 10a.m. to 2p.m. Free
Be sure to use crosswalks to cross Highway.

There are 4 questions to this cache.

• Question 1: What year was the Coyle-Foster Barn orianal Built? (must be exact)
• Question 2: What year was the Masonic's Hall erected?
• Question 3: What year was the Bull Baker Co. Hardware store erected?
• Question 4: Is the Litsch Store one building, two, three, more?

  Please log your visit, But e-mail your answers to me. Don't post them here even if encrypted.

  I-5 travelers: Just 20 minutes to get to Shasta from the I-5 and Hwy 299W. turnoff in Redding.

  Enjoy your visit, and Happy Trails.