Gold was discovered here in March, 1851 by Abraham Thompson, member of a party which was enroute (sic) from Oregon to Scott Bar. Following a heavy rain storm, particles of gold in the roots of grass pulled up by pack animals caused Thompson to wash three pans of gravel. The result convinced the party that the area was rich enough to work. In the party were Dr. F.G. Hearn, Judge Silas J. Day and Mr. Bell, Thompson's partner. All staked claims on these flats, thirty feet square, and it was named "Thompson's Dry Diggings". Within six weeks 2,00 prospectors rushed here to mine, but need of water caused the settlement to move to the creek, and it became known as Shasta Butte City. This name being confused with Shasta in Shasta County, was changed to "I-E-KA", the Indian word for Mt. Shasta, "now Yreka" in 1852.

Erected by
Siskiyou County Historical Society
1948

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Yreka, CA  |  Siskiyou County  |  96097  |  California  |  United States of America

Yreka Trail - A Mighty Town
First Log House
Carnegie Library Building
Chamberlain-Stimmel Building
Witherill Building
Peters & DeWitt Building
Peters & DeWitt Building
Witherill/Winckler Building
Charles Bibend Building
Charles Peters Building

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.