History in the Valley

Fall River Valley steeped in cultural history

Nestled in the Fall River Valley, Fall River Mills is located between both the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges thus providing a vantage point ripe with natural beauty. Well known for its legendary fishing grounds, Fall River Mills holds a special place in the landscape of the region with its historical significance going back several hundred years.

First occupied by Native Americans of the Achomawi Tribe, Fall River Mills quickly became a vital link in the first wagon road between Yreka and Red Bluff with a ferry crossing being placed within a short distance of downtown. With the growing traffic coming through the area there grew an increased need for security in the region, thus leading to the installation of Fort Crook. While this installation provided for a growing community, the meaning behind the name of Fall River Mills did not take come to fruition until the travels of Capt. William Henry Winters led to the creation of several mills in the area including a sawmill, flour mill, and planning mill.

While Fort Crook closed in 1869 shortly after the end of the Civil War, Fall River Mills continued on as a vital powerhouse of timber production, agriculture and hydroelectric energy production, which is still active today. With the progression of time the Fall River Valley has grown into a treasured scenic and tourism driven locale that is ripe with conservation necessity. Together with local leaders and stakeholders ingrained in the environment that is Fall River Mills, the Shasta Land Trust is progressing forward with several projects that are aimed at not only maintaining and preserving the historical, cultural and natural values of the area, but also in sharing with the public the very beauty that is the Fall River Valley.

Stay tuned as we continue to work on these projects in the Fall River Valley.