Whiskeytown

Whiskeytown is a ghost town in Shasta County, California, with a history rooted in mining. What was once a lively community now lies largely beneath the surface of Whiskeytown Lake, which was created in 1962 when the area was deliberately flooded. The lake today sits within Whiskeytown–Shasta–Trinity National Recreation Area.

Visitors won't find a traditional townsite to walk through. Above the waterline, a relocated store, a handful of residences, and remnants of old mines are all that survive. The site carries official recognition as a California Historical Landmark, giving it historical weight even if the physical remains are modest. For those drawn to submerged history and layered landscapes, the juxtaposition of the lake and the scattered remnants above it makes for a thought-provoking stop.