History
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Stories
A Piece of NorCal History: Redding’s Diestelhorst Bridge
Considering its place adjacent to the recently added Lake Redding Bridge, you might overlook Redding’s storied Diestelhorst Bridge. Without scanning…
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History
This NorCal Park is One of the Longest Continually Occupied Areas in North America. Its History is Beautiful and Bloody.
We visited the desolate and beautiful Lava Beds National Monument to try to escape the heat by seeking refuge in…
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History
Historic Humboldt Ghost Town Added to National Register of Historic Places
Photo: Cal Poly Humboldt Falk, a once-thriving logging community in Humboldt County that became a ghost town nearly a century…
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Stories
Lake Tahoe a National Park? How Years of Decisions Shaped California’s Most Famous Lake.
Photo by Gordon Mak In 1861, Mark Twain camped on the shores of Lake Tahoe, captivated by its beauty. Unfortunately, he…
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History
This Waterfall Was Once the Hideout of NorCal’s Most Notorious Stagecoach Robber
Every bandit needs a hideout, and it just so happens that one of the most prominent waterfalls in Northern California…
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History
Grizzly Bears Once Ruled California. Here’s Why They No Longer Roam the State.
Photo by Zdenk Macháek Why does the California State Flag feature an extinct animal, the California grizzly bear, a beast so…
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History
The Yosemite Camping Trip that Changed America
I call it a successful camping trip if I don’t forget the mosquito repellant and a roll of TP. But…
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Cannabis
Remembering the Time it Rained 6,000 Pounds of Marijuana on Yosemite
Photo: Rick Schloss In 1977, Yosemite National Park was a much different place. Rock climbers traveled the world over to…
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Stories
This Northern California Town is Responsible for America’s First Bike Lane
The ever-popular bike lanes you see all around the country are a pretty new phenomenon. San Francisco received its first…
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Stories
Two Bridges with the Same Name Tell a Fascinating Story of Northern California’s History
In July 1848, John Bidwell discovered gold in a canyon of the Feather River, leading to the establishment of Bidwell’s…
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Stories
This Northern California Town is the Closest to ‘Shangri-La’ According to the Author Who Coined the Term
Photo: California Outdoor Propoerties Shangri-la is a fictional place featured in the 1933 novel Lost Horizon written by British author…
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Stories
How Skiing Down Volcanoes Became a Time-Honored Tradition in Northern California
Volcanoes are the kind of geological formations that tend to inspire awe. Towering above everything else, they seem like a…
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History
This 1952 News Reel Shows Passenger Train Buried in Tahoe’s Worst Blizzard in 50 Years
In January of 1952, the worst blizzard seen in 50 years slammed the Tahoe area, closing the pass over Donner…
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History
Shame and Redemption: The History of Captain Jack’s Skull
Captain Jack The 1870s were turbulent, bloody times in Northern California. Tensions between Indigenous Peoples and the U.S. Army who…
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Stories
The Mystery Behind Rattlesnake Dick’s Lost Treasure in the Trinity Mountains
Richard Barter AKA “Rattlesnake Dick” Richard Barter lived a life of crime in the Gold Rush era of the 1800s…
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History
This Man is the Namesake of Lassen Volcanic National Park. His Murder Remains a Mystery.
You’ve surely seen the name Lassen plastered throughout Northern California, but behind the name sits a wild west murder mystery.…
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Stories
We Went Searching for the Best Olives in Northern California. Here’s What We Found.
Rarely does Northern California come into the conversation of great olive producing regions, but maybe it should!
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Stories
NorCal Nerds: What Did Northern California Look Like Millions of Years Ago?
One of Active NorCal’s priorities is inspiring people to get out there and get active, to get off the couch…
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History
The Legend of Snowshoe Thompson: The Founder of California Skiing
In the 1800’s, traveling across the Sierra Nevada in the middle of winter was rarely accomplished. Native Americans were usually…
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History
These Brothers Were Hanged in Redding in 1892. Their Hidden Treasure was Never Found.
On July 24th, 1892, a group of masked men stormed the Redding, California jail and dragged out two men accused…
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History
Take a Walk Through History in this Ghost Town just Outside Redding, California
Shasta State Historic Park. Photo: Visit Redding In the mid-1800’s, the town of Shasta sitting just 6 miles west of…
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History
Watch the Incredible Video of the Lassen Peak Eruption in 1914
My interest with our surrounding volcanic activity has turned from curiosity to obsession. The last eruption of Mount Shasta occurred…
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History
On this Day in History: President JFK Dedicates the Whiskeytown Dam
We know that our area holds significant landmarks for the state as well as the country, and no event signifies…
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History
Remembering President JFK’s Trip to Northern California Just Weeks Before His Assassination
On November 22, 1963, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated as his motorcade drove through Dallas, Texas. Less than two…
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History
Mark Twain’s Hilarious Account of the Naming of Yreka, California
The small town of Yreka, California, sitting just to the north of the mighty Mount Shasta, has a prominent history…
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Stories
Meet the Mount Shasta Lizard: The Largest Known Marine Reptile to Ever Live on Earth
Illustration of what the Shastasaurus could look like In 1893, Stanford University’s James Perrin Smith went of a fossil-collecting expedition…
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History
The History Behind Northern California’s National Parks
Northern California is a treasure trove of natural wonders, boasting an array of national parks that stand as testament to…
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Stories
How the Grizzly Bear Became the Symbol of California
The California Bear Flag (the official state flag of California) hardly gets any love despite flying over virtually every government…
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History
A History Behind Shasta Dam’s Essential Role in California Water
In 1938, thousands of hardworking people arrived in rural Shasta County to build a dam and a dream. Shasta Dam…
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Stories
Did the Real-Life Tarzan Dive Off Burney Falls?
The story was well known to me, but we at Active NorCal always check our sources. If you Google “Tarzan,…
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Lassen
Lassen Volcanic National Park Celebrates its Beautiful 107-Year History
Lassen Peak reflecting over Manzanita Lake Of all the destinations and parks in Northern California, Lassen Volcanic National Park might…
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History
Remembering Babe Ruth’s 1924 Exhibition Game in Dunsmuir, California
Photo by Paul J. Standar The Babe. The Sultan of Swat. The Great Bambino. The legend of Babe Ruth has…
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History
The History of the McCloud River and its World-Famous Fish
Photo: California Trout It’s the strangest feeling. I can be standing for hours in a rushing trout stream totally absorbed…
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History
Remembering the Deadly 1996 Rockfall that Sent 90,000 Tons of Rock into Yosemite Valley
July 19, 2021 marked the 25th anniversary of the 1996 Happy Isles rockfall in Yosemite National Park. The deadly incident…
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History
Capturing History: 10 Mind-Blowing Photos from the Lassen Peak Eruption
When Lassen Peak Erupted in 1914, there were no advanced photographical instruments. There were no DSLR’s or drones or GoPro’s,…
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Hikes
Beauty Meets History – Hiking Tahoe’s Rubicon Trail
Tahoe’s Rubicon Trail might sound familiar to you as it’s become a very popular destination for hikers throughout Northern California,…
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History
Unveiled FBI Documents Reveal Plot to Kill Queen Elizabeth on Her Trip to Northern California
In 1983, Queen Elizabeth II undertook a tour of California, marking her only visit to the state during her lifetime.…
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History
Ancient ‘Donut-Shaped’ Rock Found in Rural Northern California. What the Heck is it?
An interesting rock was discovered in the rural town of Termo, California, bringing many questions about how it was created…
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Destinations
This Jaw-Dropping Eastern Sierra Lake was Named After a Group of Escaped Convicts
In the Eastern Sierra, a natural wonder known as Convict Lake captures the awe of photographers and anglers alike. This…
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Bay Area
Remembering the Serial Killer Who Terrorized Northern California Hikers in the 1980’s
A trail in Point Reyes National Seashore. Photo by Alexis Marts. In the wake of the arrest of the notorious Trailside…
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History
The Snowiest Winters in Tahoe History: The Endless Winter of 1938 Remains the Snowiest on Record
With a historical winter currently blanketing the Lake Tahoe region, we decided to dive deep into the history of epic…
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History
Historic Video Footage Shows Scenes Around Tahoe in the Early 1900’s
Northern California was much different 100 years ago. The developed roads and landmarks we know so well today are just…
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History
The Story of Lassen’s Ishi – The Last ‘Wild’ Native American
It was August 19, 1911, when an unknown, “wild’ man emerged from the wilderness near Lassen Peak and into the…
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History
A History of Lassen Park in Photos
Lassen Volcanic National Park’s history is fascinating, from the eruption of Lassen Peak to the naming of Hat Creek to…
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Outdoors
The Snowiest Winters in Tahoe History: 812 Inches of Snow Buries the Railroad in 1952
The winter of 1952 in Tahoe is remembered for its record-breaking snowstorms, which caused avalanches, trapped trains, closed roads, and…
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History
The Snowiest Winters in Tahoe History: The Great April Storm of 1880 Pushed Donner to the Brink
In 1879, a severe storm originating from the Gulf of Alaska hit the Northern Sierra just before Christmas Day. The…
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Stories
Remembering the Massive Avalanche at Alpine Meadows that Killed 7 and Changed the Tahoe Community Forever
In the 70’s and 80’s, ski resorts were rated for their avalanche danger with a scale of A through F…
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Tahoe
The Snowiest Winters in Tahoe History: The Great Snow Blockade of 1890
With a historical winter currently blanketing the Lake Tahoe region, we decided to dive deep into the history of epic…
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Stories
This Popular Northern California Lake Was Once a National Park
Northern California is home to some of the most popular National Parks in America, with Yosemite National Park ranking high…
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History
The Snowiest Winters in Tahoe History: The Two-Month Blizzard of 1895
With a historical winter currently blanketing the Lake Tahoe region, we decided to dive deep into the history of epic…
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History
Remembering the Great Flood that Put Northern California Under 30 Feet of Water
If you take a look at Northern California on a map, it will show a large valley right down the…
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Stories
The Legend of Captain Dick – The Hermit of Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay
Emerald Bay’s Fannette Island was once the home of Captain Dick. Photo by Patrick Minero. In the mid-1800’s, there weren’t many…
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Destinations
Stay Overnight at a Historic Northern California Lighthouse
There are so many great adventures to be had in Northern California, but there may be none as relaxing and…
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Shasta Cascade
Take this Hike to See Ancient Petroglyphs in Northern California
In the Lava Beds National Monument sits a wall of stone with petroglyphs that are dated as far back as…
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History
72 Bars on One Road? The Legend of Mount Shasta’s Whiskey Row
The stories of Siskiyou County during the Gold Rush are like something out of a Wild West movie. The town…
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History
The Story of the Donner Party: Deadly Mistakes Over the Snowy Sierra
Photo of James F. and Margaret Reed, who were members of the Donner Party I could have died so many…
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History
Remembering the Deadly Flood of 1955 that Put a NorCal Town Under 20 Feet of Water
It was just minutes past midnight of Christmas Eve 1955 when the Gum Tree Levee on the Feather River in…
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Yosemite-Mammoth
Sculpting an Icon: The 100 Million Year History of Yosemite’s Half Dome
Half Dome is a iconic granite rock formation located in Yosemite National Park in California. It is known for its…
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Tahoe
How Did Lake Tahoe Get Its Name?
Lake Tahoe is a stunning alpine lake located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California and Nevada. It is…
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History
The NorCal Town Named ‘Rough and Ready’ Once Seceded from the United States
The only way you’ve probably heard of Rough and Ready, California is if you’ve driven on Highway 20 between Yuba…
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History
The Legend of Old Shavehead – The Lassen Native American Known for Murdering Samuel Burney
As written in the book California’s Best Fly Fishing Old Shavehead. Photo: California State University, Chico While geologists estimate that…
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History
The Bizarre Story of the Horse that Summited Mount Shasta in 1903
Photo by Sebastien Goldberg Who isn’t fascinated with standing on top of NorCal’s premier active volcano, the formidable Mt. Shasta?…
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Stories
The Legends and Mysteries of Siskiyou County
Photo by Marco Bicca It’s well documented that the areas surrounding Mount Shasta are full of legends and mysteries. From paranormal…
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History
Remembering the Deadly 75-Foot Tidal Wave that Leveled Crescent City in 1964
Beginning in Northern California and running all the way up to Alaska in the Pacific Ocean sits multiple fault lines…
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Stories
The Literary Titans of Northern California – Part 2
Northern California has always attracted creative superstars, and the list of famous writers who either come from NorCal or spent…
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History
Five Northern California Destinations Being Considered for Federal Historical Designation
Fort Ross Landing Historical and Archaeological District The California State Historical Resources Commission will hold a virtual meeting next Friday,…
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History
The Fascinating History of Redding Rancheria
The Wintu Tribe of Northern California When I am outdoors visiting our beautiful NorCal landmarks, curiosity always slips into my head…
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History
The Mystery Behind the Sunken World War II ‘Ghost Boat’ on Shasta Lake
Photo: U.S. Forest Service There have been plenty of historic structures revealed on Shasta Lake during severe drought. With multiple…
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History
This Popular Northern California Destination was Once the Scene of a Bloody Battle in 1855
Photo by Brandon DesJarlais We know Castle Crags as the beautiful Northern California wilderness area settled just between Shasta Lake and…
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Outdoors
An Oral History of the Cantara Chemical Spill on the Sacramento River
Northern California is no stranger to disasters. Over time we’ve lived through earthquakes, volcanos, firenados, floods, mudslides and avalanches. Would…
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History
How John Muir Almost Died on the Slopes of Mount Shasta
Many people take the slopes of Mount Shasta for granted. You may see images of people from all over the…
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Uncategorized
The Adventures of Mark Twain in Northern California
People dream of coming to California to become the next Meryl Streep or Tom Hanks, but hardly the “father of…
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History
The History Behind the Extravagant Castle Along the McCloud River
You’ve probably heard of the Hearst Castle, the magnificent residence of newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst. But have you heard…
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History
The Real Life Zorro: The Life and Legend of Joaquin Murieta
Some say he was a good man turned renegade when all he held dear was taken from him. Others claim…
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History
The History of NorCal Names – How Redding Was Once Named ‘Reading’
Photo courtesy of the Shasta Historical Foundation Redding, California sits center stage in Northern California, nestled comfortably smack dab in…
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History
This Northern California Ghost Town is Cursed, According to its Visitors
Flickr/Robert Shea The workers at the Bodie State Historic Park are used to receiving letters in the mail talking about…
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History
1906 Film of San Francisco Upgraded to 4K is Absolutely Stunning
It was on April 14, 1906 when Harry Miles, a motion-picture pioneer in California, took to a cable car and…
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History
The Good Guys and Bad Guys of Historic Northern California – Part 1
Hollywood is obsessed with “good guys and bad guys,” and why not? There’s something very satisfying when good triumphs over…
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Events
Gold Rush Days Returning to Historic Downtown Yreka this Week!
Brought to you by Discover Siskiyou The town of Yreka, sitting in the beautiful Siskiyou County, is one of the…
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Stories
Why Are There Old Train Tracks Going Into Lake Tahoe?
If you’ve ever explored the breathtaking beaches of Lake Tahoe, you may have noticed a rare sight of railroad tracks…
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Destinations
This Historic Northern California Boomtown Maintains its Gold Rush Charm
Brought to you by Discover Siskiyou It’s sometimes hard to fathom that Northern California once sat as the center of…
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Lassen
On This Day in History: The Lassen Peak Eruption of 1915
It was the late-afternoon of May 22, 1915 when Lassen Peak exploded in a powerful eruption that blasted rock fragments…
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History
Courageous Explorer or Bloodthirsty Killer? The Sobering Truth About Kit Carson in Northern California
Who hasn’t heard of Kit Carson, the steely mountain man, courageous explorer, military hero, character in numerous dime novels and…
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History
Historic Photos Show Lumberjacks Chopping Down the Giant Northern California Redwoods
Northern California is known for being the home of some of the oldest and largest trees in the world. The…
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Shasta Cascade
And Just Like That, Shasta Lake’s Historic Train Tunnel is Underwater Once Again
The summer and fall on Shasta Lake was a somewhat depressing time. The lake’s water dropped to extremely low levels…
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History
These Stagecoach Drivers Were the Rock Stars of California in the 1800’s
Mark Twain tried, but no matter how good a storyteller you are, you just can’t make this stuff up. Historic…
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Stories
Famed Pioneer Stephen Meek Arrived in Northern California in the 1800’s. He Was Probably Just Lost.
When Christopher Columbus discovered the “New World,” (Cuba and the Bahamas, really) he was convinced he had landed on the…
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History
Who Was Jim Beckwourth? A Life as Big as America
How do you take the measure of a man? It usually begins with facts documented and witnessed by credible sources.…
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News
Historic Covered Bridge Reopens Over the Yuba River for the First Time in 10 Years
Following a 10-year restoration project, the historic Bridgeport Covered Bridge at the South Yuba State Park has reopened to pedestrians,…
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History
Historic California Ghost Town Transforms into a Winter Wonderland
The popular Bodie State Historic Park is a fun destination in the Eastern Sierra to learn about the history of…
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History
Historic Train Tunnel Now Fully Exposed on Shasta Lake
The abysmal water levels throughout Northern California currently sit at their lowest for 2021, with incoming storms bringing the prospect…
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History
On This Day in History: President John F. Kennedy Dedicates the Whiskeytown Dam
On November 22, 1963, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated as his motorcade drove through Dallas, Texas. Less than two…
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History
Mysterious Sunken Boat Revealed on the Low Shore of Shasta Lake
There have been plenty of historic structures revealed on Northern California reservoirs as water continues to shrink down to historically…
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Stories
Are There Frozen Bodies at the Bottom of Lake Tahoe?
Sitting at 6,225 feet elevation as the largest alpine lake in North America, there is plenty to be fascinated with…
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History
Jedediah Smith’s Travels Through Northern California – Part 2: Strong Was His Middle Name
Every time he visited California he got arrested. When a grizzly bear chewed off his hair and ear, he had…
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History
Jedediah Smith’s Travels Through Northern California – Part 1: The First White Settlers of NorCal
There is little doubt the standards have changed for what it means to qualify as a “bad dude.” NorCal has…
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Tahoe
S**** Valley Alpine Meadows to Host Washoe Cultural Tours
SVAM is excited to announce a new on-mountain summer experience: the Washoe Cultural Tour, beginning Monday, July 12. Not only is…
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History
9 Fascinating Historical Gems to Visit in Siskiyou County
Brought to you by Discover Siskiyou Photo by Richard Lee When gold was discovered in the American River in the 1800’s,…
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History
Wildfire Unearths Hidden Bunker in the Big Basin Redwoods
Photo: Julie Horner/SLVPost When the devastating CZU Fire blazed through the Big Basin Redwoods, it destroyed much of the state…
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History
Ishi: The Last California ‘Wild Indian’ We Never Really Knew
Ishi making a wood harpoon in Deer Creek in 1914 Most California school kids have heard the story of Ishi,…
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