Wandering Lizard
Northeastern California

The town of Shasta has had a very colorful history. It was established in 1848 shortly after Pierson B. Reading found gold in Clear Creek. The town grew rapidly as miners flocked to the area from all of the corners of the world and was first named after its founder - Reading Springs. It prospered as a hub of transportation and commerce for the region and was renamed Shasta in 1850. It was also named county seat of newly formed Shasta County In 1852 and 1853 two disastrous fires destroyed much of the town. When the merchants rebuilt after the second fire they built of fireproof brick and heavy iron shutters. Shasta was at its zenith of prosperity.