Whiskeytown, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Whiskeytown
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Ghost town
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Aerial view of the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Shasta County |
| Reference #: | 131 |
Whiskeytown was once a busy community in Shasta County, California, United States. It started as a gold mining town. But in 1962, the town was flooded to create Whiskeytown Lake. This lake is now part of the Whiskeytown–Shasta–Trinity National Recreation Area. Today, only a few old buildings and mines remain above the water. Whiskeytown is recognized as a special California Historical Landmark.
History of Whiskeytown
Whiskeytown was one of the first places in Shasta County to find gold. This happened during the California Gold Rush in 1849. Back then, it was called Whiskey Creek Diggings. There are two stories about how it got its name. One story says a barrel of whiskey fell into the creek. The other story says miners there drank a barrel of whiskey every day!
The area quickly became known for its gold. A local newspaper reported that miners found about $50 in gold daily. That would be over $2,000 today! In 1851, a huge 56-ounce gold nugget was discovered. The first woman arrived in town in 1852. By 1855, about 1,000 gold miners lived in Whiskeytown.
A post office opened in 1856. But the government did not want to use the name "Whiskeytown." They thought it was not proper. Finally, in 1952, the government agreed to name the post office after the town.
Building the Dam
Work on the Whiskeytown Dam began in 1960. The area started to fill with water in 1962. Some buildings from Whiskeytown were moved to higher ground. Other buildings stayed and are now underwater. President John F. Kennedy officially opened the dam in 1963.
Whiskeytown Today
Today, what was once a busy mining town is a popular lake. It is a great place for fun activities. Whiskeytown Lake is part of the Central Valley Project. Many people visit to swim, sail, kayak, or fish. On clear days, you can sometimes see the outlines of old buildings. They are still at the bottom of the lake!
Whiskeytown Cemetery
The Whiskeytown Cemetery was moved when the dam was built. All the graves were carefully moved to higher ground. Today, local people take care of the cemetery. It is a bit of a hidden spot for visitors. People decorate the graves with flowers and other items. You might see toys or even favorite snacks on the graves.
