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Whiskeytown in Shasta County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
 

Toll Bridge

Whiskeytown National Recreational Area

— Tower House Historic District —

 
 
Toll Bridge Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, May 8, 2008
1. Toll Bridge Marker
Inscription.
To cross Clear Creek in 1865 it would have cost you 10 cents to walk across, 25 cents to ride over on horseback, and $1.25 to cross by wagon. Charles Camden, the bridge owner, spent $20,000 to improve the road between here and the town of Shasta. He widened the road, built a bridge over Whiskey Creek, and improved the and covered the bridge over this creek.

The investment paid off. With a franchise obtained from the state of California, Camden collected tolls for 50 years from travelers going between Shasta and Weaverville.
 
Erected by Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: AnimalsBridges & ViaductsIndustry & CommerceRoads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.
 
Location. 40° 39.833′ N, 122° 38.143′ W. Marker is in Whiskeytown, California, in Shasta County. Marker is located just east of the foot bridge on the site of the Toll Bridge at the Tower House Historic District. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Whiskeytown CA 96095, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Camden House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tower House Historic District (about 500 feet away); French Gulch
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(approx. 2˝ miles away); French Gulch Hotel (approx. 2˝ miles away); E. Franck & Co. (approx. 2˝ miles away); French Gulch Lodge (approx. 2.6 miles away); I.O.O.F. Lodge #75 (approx. 2.7 miles away); Central Valley Project (approx. 6.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Whiskeytown.
 
More about this marker. Also see: Tower House Historic District marker for additional information.
 
Additional commentary.
1. Charles Camden
Charles Camden was born in Aston Magna Worcestershire, England, on January 29, 1817. On October 1, 1834, at age 17, he arrived in New York.. In eventually landed in San Francisco on October 2, 1849 after spending time in Ohio, Texas, and Louisiana and 18 months in Chile. In California, Mr. Camden was engaged in mining as the owner of the “Iron Mountain Mine”. He also built stores in Shasta County along with being credited for building the "Camden Turnpike" from Shasta to the Tower House, water ditches, and a saw mill for lumber supply.
   
Toll Bridge Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, May 8, 2008
2. Toll Bridge Marker
— Submitted October 16, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
 
Close Up of Photo on Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, May 8, 2008
3. Close Up of Photo on Marker
Wagons -- sometimes two or three connected -- were pulled by teams of horses over the toll bridge and up the Trinity River valley to bring supplies to the mining camps or "diggins."
Close Up of Photo and Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, May 8, 2008
4. Close Up of Photo and Marker
Close Up of Photo and Text on Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, May 8, 2008
5. Close Up of Photo and Text on Marker
Today's footbridge rests on the same stone piers as Charles Camden's second bridge. The bridge that Camden improved and covered in 1864 crossed Clear Creek just upstream, but was later moved to this location.
Today's Footbridge and Original Stone Pier image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, May 8, 2008
6. Today's Footbridge and Original Stone Pier
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,775 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 16, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.

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Mar. 28, 2024