Queen City Shasta Letterbox

Placed by: dvn2r ckr, rnrB & trkr
On: 18 Feb 2003

Shasta (3 miles West of Redding's city limits)
Shasta County
California

Directions: Take I-5 to Redding, head West on CA 299 approximately
10 miles to Shasta SH Park. Park near the Courthouse Museum.

Note: This is a micro-letterbox (35 mm film canister), please bring
stamp & a pen. Also bring red, green & black markers for added
stamping effect. You might be able to get a map from the Courthouse.

History: "Queen City of the Northern Mines" once considered was
she. "Boom to Bust" best describes her interesting history.
Prospects of gold brought miners from all around, for here in 1848
Pierson B. Reading found gold in the ground. Soon Main St was
teeming with building and sound, tragically twice, 1852 & 1853, they
mostly burned to the ground. Soon buildings of brick replaced those
that were lost, the settlers stoically, quickly bearing
insurmountable cost. Unfortunate though, not much treasure was
found, for the only bloke who made a fortune seems to be the
hotelier/supplier in town.

CLUES: The bear on the Courthouse is where your trek begins, head E
to the Pioneer Plaque honoring those who "held the ribbons". Past 3
trees and a snag NW you now go, then N through the fence, to the
kiosk for info. Next NE toward the barn, the baler, press & core
drill view. Shasta # m.? No, I'm already here, very much thank you!
Tallow pots, freight wagons, an iron penguin, how odd? Next head
around to the left, past arrasta stones, rock sled & feed wagon you
now trod. From its SW corner, toward 240 you bear, past an
interesting tree, a fountain of sorts and cross following two white
parallel lines with much care. Sam Isaac's blacksmith shop is the
first you will see, if in the right place is where you are
currently. Next to Madam Gavand's Hotel Francaise for a rest, then
head E to Reading Springs if you know what is best. Need some
hardware? Or Meat? Or other items too? No, instead, 150 degrees from
Callaghan's follow the trail o' ruins to see something new. When
choices you see, first straight, left, left and down, as you wind
your way further through this wild old ghost town. Head through the
doorway of Spatz' circa 1854 bakery, and what in its midst could you
possibly see? For within the iron cart on its side, under its SE
corner hanging, is where I reside.

This letterbox is an orphan. Please email me at blee@pobox.com when
you find it.