Redding in Shasta County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Diestelhorst Auto Camp / Reid’s Ferry
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, October 25, 2013
1. Diestelhorst Auto Camp Marker
Inscription.
Diestelhorst Auto Camp, also, Reid’s Ferry. . Two separate markers have been mounted on the same rock., Marker on the Right:
Diestelhorst Auto Camp. Gotlieb Justus Diestelhorst came to Shasta in 1852, to grow produce and vegetables to sell. He found the soil impossible. This 84 acre parcel became available, in 1859. With his wife Caroline, he settled in to raise a family and farm. Upriver from his home, Gotlieb planted an extensive orchard. Downriver from his home was a huge vegetable garden. On the high ground towards downtown, he planted hay. After his death in 1903 his sons, John and Charles, continued the store and ranch. Charles started the first dredge in Shasta County. With the advent of the automobile the family developed an auto camp with 30 cabins, gas station and store. Water was supplied by a huge water wheel, then a very large pump. The auto camp became a summer resort and with the bridge in place for jumping and diving competition, the resort was a popular summer swimming hole for local residents. The “Riverside Dance Pavilion” was built next to the south approach to the bridge. Big bands from Los Angeles to Seattle came to play. The 1940 flood wiped out most of the resort. The descendants of Gotlieb sold the property to the city for a park in 1977. , Marker on the Left:
Reid’s Ferry. This ferry crossing was established in 1851 under license of the Court of Sessions. Also known and operated as Shaw’s, Green’s and Hunt’s Ferries, it was purchased by Edward Reid in 1860. This site was the main crossing of the Sacramento River on the road from Shasta, and after Redding was founded in 1872, from Redding to northern and eastern Shasta County, until the free bridge was built in 1884. It was operated by E.A. Reid until sold to John and Charles Diestelhorst, the sons of Gotleib Diestelhorst, in 1907. Since the ferry was launched from Diestelhorst property, the acquisition of the ferry fit well into the vast array of businesses developed by the family. Gotlieb Diestelhorst purchased 84 acres along the river in 1859, for the sum of $2,500, part of Major Pierson B. Reading’s Rancho Buena Ventura. For a short time after the Diestelhorst Bridge was completed across the river at this location in 1915, the bridge was known as Reid’s Ferry Bridge. The Diestelhorst family sold the land for the railroad trestle and bridge approach to the city. The bridge was in constant use until 1997, with the completion of the North Court Street Bridge.
Two separate markers have been mounted on the same rock.
Marker on the Right:
Diestelhorst Auto Camp
Gotlieb Justus Diestelhorst came to Shasta in 1852, to grow produce and vegetables to sell. He found the soil impossible. This 84 acre parcel became available, in 1859. With his wife Caroline, he settled in to raise a family and farm. Upriver from his home, Gotlieb planted an extensive orchard. Downriver from his home was a huge vegetable garden. On the high ground towards downtown, he planted hay. After his death in 1903 his sons, John and Charles, continued the store and ranch. Charles started the first dredge in Shasta County. With the advent of the automobile the family developed an auto camp with 30 cabins, gas station and store. Water was supplied by a huge water wheel, then a very large pump. The auto camp became a summer resort and with the bridge in place for jumping and diving competition, the resort was a popular summer swimming hole for local residents. The “Riverside Dance Pavilion” was built next to the south approach to the bridge. Big bands from Los Angeles to Seattle came to play. The 1940 flood wiped out most of the resort. The descendants of Gotlieb sold the property to the city for a park in 1977.
Marker on the Left:
Reid’s
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Ferry
This ferry crossing was established in 1851 under license of the Court of Sessions. Also known and operated as Shaw’s, Green’s and Hunt’s Ferries, it was purchased by Edward Reid in 1860. This site was the main crossing of the Sacramento River on the road from Shasta, and after Redding was founded in 1872, from Redding to northern and eastern Shasta County, until the free bridge was built in 1884. It was operated by E.A. Reid until sold to John and Charles Diestelhorst, the sons of Gotleib Diestelhorst, in 1907. Since the ferry was launched from Diestelhorst property, the acquisition of the ferry fit well into the vast array of businesses developed by the family. Gotlieb Diestelhorst purchased 84 acres along the river in 1859, for the sum of $2,500, part of Major Pierson B. Reading’s Rancho Buena Ventura. For a short time after the Diestelhorst Bridge was completed across the river at this location in 1915, the bridge was known as Reid’s Ferry Bridge. The Diestelhorst family sold the land for the railroad trestle and bridge approach to the city. The bridge was in constant use until 1997, with the completion of the North Court Street Bridge.
Erected 2011 by Rotory Club of Redding, Shasta Historical Society and E Clampus Vitus, Trinitarianus Chapter 62,.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, October 25, 2013
Location. 40° 35.484′ N, 122° 24.101′ W. Marker is in Redding, California, in Shasta County. Marker is at the intersection of Middle Creek Road and Benton Drive, on the right when traveling west on Middle Creek Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Redding CA 96001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. These markers are found at the entrance to Diestelhorst Bridge Park located on the west side of Benton Drive and on the south side of the Sacramento River.
The
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, October 25, 2013
3. Diestelhorst Auto Camp / Reid’s Ferry Markers
Reid's Ferry marker replaces an earlier E Clampus Vitus marker erected in 1969.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, October 25, 2013
4. Diestelhorst Bridge
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, October 25, 2013
5. Diestelhorst Bridge
6. Diestelhorst Auto Camp, c. 1930s
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 904 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 21, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
