Wandering Lizard
Central California

Tehama County was formed in 1856 from parts of three surrounding counties of Butte, Colusa, and Shasta. The origin of the name is debatable but was probably derived from a local Native American word meaning high water. The Sacramento River runs through the center of the county and has long been the economy's life blood. In the nineteenth century, following the discovery of gold in Calfornia, barges and steamships plying the Sacramento River provided the main means for transporting goods to and from the inland areas of Northern Calfornia. By the end of that century steamships had been replaced by the railroad. Early in the twentieth century first Highway 99 and then Interstate Highway 5 were built through the center of the county. Tehama lays claim to the home of the first president of the state (Ide Adobe State Historic Park).