McCloud, CA

McCloud is a Siskiyou County community in the shadow of Mount Shasta, built by lumber and railroad companies along the McCloud River. The McCloud River Railroad Company established the town in 1895, making it possible to ship timber out of the mountains; the McCloud River Lumber Company then ran the company town. Mill housing, steam heat, electricity, and the railroad shaped the original layout. The big mill closed in 2002, yet the streets still carry that company-town plan. Seventeen downtown buildings are listed as historic landmarks, and the McCloud Heritage Junction Museum occupies a 1904 building that served as an employee recreation hall, union headquarters, and clothing store. When the company town was sold, the McCloud Community Services District took over water, sewer, street lighting, fire, police, library, and some road duties. The historic district, museum, river, and forest roads keep McCloud’s timber history tied to places residents still use.