Reading's Bar

Reading's Bar is a California Historical Landmark (No. 32) located in Redding, Shasta County, recognized for its outsized role in the California Gold Rush. The site takes its name from Major Pierson Barton Reading, who discovered gold on the Clear Creek bar in May 1848. That find set off a gold rush in the surrounding area, and Reading subsequently located gold on a sandbar along the Trinity River, sparking yet another rush in that region. His discoveries made him one of the more consequential figures in California's gold era.

Visitors come primarily for the historical significance rather than dramatic physical remains. As a designated California landmark, it offers a tangible connection to the earliest days of the Gold Rush, though those expecting extensive ruins or preserved structures should temper expectations. The site suits history-minded travelers and photography enthusiasts passing through Redding.