Weaverville, California is a historic town that was founded during the California Gold Rush. It is located near the Trinity Alps Wilderness in Northern California. During the Gold Rush, 2,000 Chinese gold miners lived in Weaverville. Part of the city is now a state park that houses the Weaverville Joss House, a structure left from the Chinese miners.
In order to get to Weaverville, travel up Highway 299. You will wind through the scenic hills of the Trinity Alps, towering redwood trees, and bubbling mountain streams. You will arrive in Weaverville and take a step back in time to the days of the California Gold Rush. In Weaverville you can stroll historic Main Street and shop at the 150-year-old Weaverville Drug Store. This is the oldest pharmacy in California that is still in operation. It dates back to the Gold Rush Days. Also on Main Street is one of the oldest courthouses in operation in America. Behind the shops and restaurants of Main Street you can gaze on the beautiful mountain range.
If you are fortunate enough to visit Weaverville on Independence Day, you will be able to participate in a festival that has been voted one of the best small town 4th of July celebrations. If you visit in August be sure to catch the Car Show in the Park which boasts food vendors, family games, live music and dancing, and of course, cars! Also of interest in Weaverville is the Joss House State Park. This is a Taoist Temple that the Chinese miners built in 1873. It is open for tours part of the week. Surrounding the temple is a museum and historic park. You can explore exhibits that demonstrate how life was for the minors in early Trinity County. The Temple is still used as a place of worship, and you can gain an appreciation of the culture of the Chinese people. Many exhibits in the park attribute to the discrimination that the Chinese miners faced in the late 1800s.
There is a legend about a Chinese laundry man named John John. He was ridiculed by Weaverville's white miner population. He spent many years washing the miner's clothes and never charged for it. The white men thought he was insane, but gladly took advantage of his services. After a year, one prospector noticed John John in Sacramento wearing fine clothes. The legend states that he had washed so much cold dust out of the miners clothes that he was able to retire in style!
While in Weaverville, travel to the beautiful Shasta Trinity National Forest. Here you can enjoy picnics, fishing, hiking, and camping in the Trinity Alps. Be sure you pack a variety of clothing. As you climb the mountains, the temperature drops! Be prepared for a wide variety of climates!
If camping is not your think, you may wish to stay in the historic Weaverville Hotel. Built in 1861, the hotel burned to the ground and was rebuilt in 1880. In 1910 there was another fire that destroyed the second floor. It was again restored four years later, and today offers full hotel services. Ghost stories abound, and burn marks are still visible on the stairs, offering even more historic ambiance.
Weaverville is not a modern place. You will find rustic charm in this town. If you need a trip to get away from stress, Weaverville is your destination! Take a trip to historic Weaverville. Travel to a simpler time and see how life away from the hustle and bustle of modern living can be.