Barbara Crooker, GRI - E Pro
Barbara Crooker, GRI - E Pro
Redding Area Guide
History
The first non-native settler to Redding, Pierson B. Reading was an early pioneer of the area. In 1844, Reading received a land grant for the area that was once known at Poverty Flats and the Southern Pacific Railroad built its rail line through there instead of Shasta, a nearby town. Re-named after railroad man Benjamin B. Redding, the town later had been re-christened Reading to honor Pierson B. Reading, but the railroad wouldn’t acknowledge the name change and eventually, Redding was restored in 1880.
Incorporated in 1887, by 1910, Redding had a population of over 3,000 supported by the mining industry. With the mining came damage to the area and population dropped briefly, only to rebound in the 1930’s with the construction of nearby Shasta Dam. Thanks to the dam, population nearly doubled by 1940 and by the 1950’s, the city had continued to grow with the lumber industry, including the building of Whiskeytown and Keswick Dams and the completion of Interstate 5 in the late 60’s.
With another boom in the late 80’s, the city grew to over 66,000 people and today, the estimated population is over 90,000. Now, people from the big city are discovering the wonders of Redding, moving to escape from the big city because they know there’s a great place for them to come home to.
With a natural beauty, an abundance of recreation, and excellent quality of life, Redding has successfully blended the ambiance of a small town with all the perks of a big city. Love of the outdoor lifestyle, along with affordable housing attracts people to Redding, creating a diverse culture and a growing center of commerce.
Redding Area Attractions
Turtle Bay Exploration Park – Join staff and other visitors of every age to enjoy the exhibitions and programs that teach about people and their environments while having a great time! http://www.turtlebay.org/
Water Works Park
Rides for all ages and thrills for everyone wait at Water Works Park. Tropical themes enhance the summer fun and a great place to get away from the summer heat.
http://www.waterworkspark.com/
Cascade Theatre
In 1935, the year the Cascade opened, and there was always standing room only. Today, it’s still a place to experience the wonders of the latest cinematic technology and a great place for the community to come together, whether it’s for first dates or birthdays, or just to see a movie. A symbol of Redding and its progress, the Cascade provides a venue for multiple artistic endeavors that celebrate the residents and the human spirit. http://www.cascadetheatre.org/
Win-River Casino
Try your luck in the casino, or place a sure bet in the restaurant. Either way, you’ll enjoy yourself. http://www.winrivercasino.com/
Redding’s Sun Dial Bridge
Beautiful because of the its aqua green, opaque glass deck, strips of granite and smooth white imported Spanish tile, the bridge is a unique design. It actually acts as a real sundial, telling time on the north side of the bridge. http://www.visitredding.com/visitors/attractions/sundial-bridge/
Riverfront Playhouse
For twenty eight years, Riverfront Playhouse has provided quality live entertainment for audiences in Redding and the area. Just check the website to see what’s on the stage right now.
http://www.riverfrontplayhouse.net/
Lake Shasta Caverns
Prepare to be fascinated as your guide explains the history of the caverns, its discovery and how they were formed. When you enter, you’ll be surrounded by crystal beauty 250 million years in the making!
http://lakeshastacaverns.com/
The Shasta Dam
The second largest dam in mass, the Shasta Dam is one of the great engineering feats in the world. Finished in 1945, the damn is 602 feet high, 3,460 feet long and 543 feet at the base. Fed by four rivers, including Mt. Shasta, you can check out the great view of “The Three Shastas” and spend some time in the visitor’s center, which features a movie about the construction of the dam. Afterwards, hope you brought your picnic basket, because The Shasta Dam has a lovely lawn and some nice shady picnic areas.
Area Water Adventures
Rafting and other water sports are waiting for you and Area Water Adventures offers the only free kayak tours in California. If you love to fish and consider it an adventure, The Fly Shop in Redding is the largest commercial fly distributor in the world! If you’d rather not kayak, try a slow romantic river cruise across Shasta Lake to view the caverns. http://www.visitredding.com/visitors/water-adventures/
Whiskey Town Sailboat Regatta
Whiskeytown takes their boating seriously. Their goal is to foster and perpetuate the sport of sailing, encourage growth and development of one design fleets and to conduct social activities among members of the club and to hold the principals of good leadership and highest standards of the sport of sailing. And then there’s the annual memorial regatta, a long standing tradition of fun and sun for the day. http://www.whiskeytownsailing.org/?page_id=55
Annual Downtown Redding MarketFest
Sponsored in part by the Downtown Redding Business Association, fun times wait! Free live music concerts and booths with delicious food, artisans works, and lots of fun things for the kids to do are just the ticket. Over the course of the time, you can enjoy meeting all your neighbors and sampling many different types of entertainment, all while sampling great food and having a great time! http://www.vivadowntownredding.org/about.html
With so much to see and do in Redding, you might want to make plans to come back again, just to finish doing all the things you didn’t have time for the first trip out!
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