Shasta, town in Shasta County, California, United States
Shasta is a census-designated place in Shasta County that functions today as a ghost town with preserved buildings from the mid-1800s. The settlement contains roughly a dozen remaining structures, most built from brick after fires destroyed earlier wooden buildings, along with cemeteries and a state historic park that protects and interprets the remaining ruins.
The settlement began in 1849 as Reading's Springs during the gold rush and became the largest commercial center in northern California. Decline began in the 1880s when the railroad chose Redding instead, and the town lost its county seat status in 1888, causing most residents to depart.
The site is easily accessible from the highway near Redding and allows for either a brief stop or extended exploration. A marked trail behind the brick buildings offers different views of the ruins and helps visitors understand the layout of the former settlement.
The location once housed California's oldest Masonic lodge and holds a collection of historic graves including a notable Pioneer baby grave with a story visitors can read. A large mid-1800s barn stands beside antique stagecoaches and farm tools, creating a snapshot of life and work from that era.
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