Yreka, California in Siskiyou County - History and Local Information

Yreka
Pronounced
(why-ree-ka)

yreka miner.jpg (6420 bytes)

Population
7,500

Elevation
2,625

Area code
530

Zip code
96097

Gold Display

Siskiyou Golden Fair

Siskiyou Daily News

Yreka Sesquicentennial 1857 - 2007

The quaint and friendly but growing town of Yreka is located along Interstate-5 at the top of the state of California, north of Mt. Shasta and just 16 miles south of the Oregon border.

There are many motels, restaurants and other services available in town to cater to travelers and visitors alike. A stay in town to explore the outlying areas might set you back a few days but the rewards are well worth it.

Yreka was founded in 1851 by members of a mule train party who were passing through the area on their way to the Scott Valley gold fields from southern Oregon. Gold was first discovered in Yreka Flats by Abraham Thompson and his party.

Visit historic Miner Street, lined with buildings dating to the mid-1800's.

Visit Third Street, lined with Victorian-era homes.

Yreka was the Interim State Capitol of the State of Jefferson during the secession of 1941.

See more at the:
Siskiyou County Museum
Tuesday through Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm.
530-842-3836
910 South Main Street

main street.jpg (6676 bytes)

blue goose at station.jpg (4881 bytes)
Blue Goose Excursion Train

Yreka Sunset

I-5 Yreka Area Traffic Cams
Hilt
Anderson Grade South
Weed Airport

Exits from Interstate-5
Exit 776 Yreka / Montague
Exit 775 Central Exit
Exit 773 Yreka / Fort Jones / CA 3

YREKA
A Pictorial History

Author(s): Claudia A. East, Karen Cleland, Donald Y. East, Yale East

$19.95 + shipping.
CA res. add 7.25% sales tax.

Book Description:
Complete with all the trappings of a Wild West gold-mining town, Yreka was incorporated in 1857. Within six weeks of the discovery of gold in 1851, over 2,000 miners had arrived, and a town of makeshift wooden and canvas shelters suddenly appeared, forming the beginnings of what was to become the city. Today Yreka is Siskiyou County’s government center. Its National Historic District encompasses both a lovely residential section and charming commercial district, offering a glimpse into the late 1800s. “The Golden City” boasts over 75 structures from the 1800s and early 1900s, wrought by the founders of Siskiyou County’s gold, agricultural, and timber industries and preserved by Yreka’s community today.

Author Bio: Claudia A. East and Karen Cleland, principal researchers, along with coauthors Donald Y. East and Yale East, have selected images that provide a fresh look into Yreka’s rich past. Avid genealogists and cultural historians, Claudia East and Karen Cleland weave a rich historical tapestry, while Donald and Yale East lend their professional artistic expertise to craft this stunning photographic chronicle. Images culled from the extensive photographic archives of the Siskiyou County Museum, as well as the University of California Davis Special Collections Library along with other libraries, organizations, and individuals, invite readers to take this photographic journey through the history of Yreka.

A Pictorial History of the
State of Jefferson

The State of Jefferson -
Then and Now

CA Residents add 7.25% sales tax.

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