Shasta Lake Historical Society

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Books are sold out as of 4/2026 with more to come.

You are looking at a picture of Annie Ingle, a Native American Wintu bronc-busting woman in the 20th century. Annie is just one of the many interesting and inspiring stories in our new book. Thanks to a grant funded by the Women's Fund in Shasta County, we have published the new book, "Empowered Women of Shasta County".

While Shasta Lake Heritage & Historical Society took the lead on publishing the book, it was a collaborative effort by and for all the local societies and museums in Shasta County to raise awareness of their existence and foster volunteerism.

"Empowered Women of Shasta County" Book

$21.99 USD

Annie Alexander, Ella Barbera, the Bass Sisters, Jean Beauchamp, Genevieve Behrens, Rosaline Bell, Mae Helene Boggs, Hazel Boothroyd, Josephine Bosworth, Marie Carr, Martha Charles, Phoebe Colburn, Donna Coleman, Barbara Cross, Lala Curl, Marian Dimmick, Irene Dozier, Edna Eaton, Ruth Fish, Margaret Flanagan, Opal Foxx, Mabel Frisbie, Rosena Giles, Martha Gregory, Stella Gregory, Evelyn Hoppes, Ruth Huey, Annie Ingle, Florence Jones, Verna Kank, Charlotte Kingsbury, Amanda Klukkert, Julia Litsch, Estella Loomis, Isaac Lowe, Esther Mardon, Leah McConnell, Bertha Merrill, Rubenia Mitchell, Eleanor Parkin, Margaret Polf, Mary Rader, Alice Reading, Gladys Rumboltz, Veronica Satorius, Alma Sears, Zola Shuman, Winona Simmons, Cleora Smith, May Southern, Molly Wilson and acknowledgments to Marlys Barbosa, RuthAnn Kobe and Marian Trapp and mentionable of Catherine Kobe and Hazel McKim. 
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AS OF 2/8/2026 WE ARE SOLD OUT.
Please check back as we will be receiving more copies to sell.

It is a great read while supporting the endeavors of local societies that preserve history for future generations, as without them, valuable research will be lost. Here is a list of the WOMEN:

The book was made possible by a grant award to us by the Women's Fund, Redding CA 2024. Complimentary copies were sent to various schools and organizations and given to each of the historical societies that contributed stories.

"Those Dam Kids" Book
  • $21.45 inc. tax plus shipping = $25.00  one book 
  • $42.90 inc.  tax plus  shipping = $47.00 two books
  • $64.35 inc. tax and shipping = $69.00 three books
February 2026We are OUT OF BOOKS.
Our book is being updated with worker's names. We will update this site as soon as we receive more copies. Thank you for your interest. 
284 pages of stories and personal photos, including additions to the list of names of Dam workers, bringing the total to over 3000. All proceeds from the book are used towards archival preservation and a museum building fund.
Not only a collectible about local history, it makes a perfect gift for Birthdays and "Just Because"...a quick and enjoyable read written by the families who lived those times! 

One Copy

$25.00

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Two Copies

$47.00

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Three Copies

$69.00

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INTRODUCTION

This is a collection of stories written by children of the dam workers and other families who came to the Boomtown areas seeking work and a new place to live and thrive. What comes to mind is the proverbial I remember when, as you may find yourself recalling similar times or stories related to you of a different nature.  Fifty five different families recall life during the construction of Shasta Dam.  Short stories, some are humorous, some are poignant and some simply share memories.  Many are a reflection of the hard times of the Depression Era. Several have common themes, such as the importance of children getting new shoes, or the friendships and freedom they enjoyed as children. Other stories depict the changes of living in the area as dam construction continued to provide a boost to the area's economy.  Each story showcases personal family photographs.  Like painting a canvas one stroke at a time, we have created for you a look at life during those years through the eyes of a Dam Kid.

This is the heritage and history of our City today.

 THE COVER: The Hedstrom family coming to California. 

Estelle was born on a wheat farm in Salinas, Kansas. She met and in 1937 married Clarence Hedstrom, who worked for a Livestock Sales Pavilion earning $15 to $25 a week. Their house rent was $17.50 a month. As times grew harder, Clarence was looking for work and they came to Central Valley in 1940. Clarence found work on Shasta Dam.  A personal family photograph, we chose it for our cover because it captures perfectly the Depression Era families. Notice the mattress on the roof, the washing tub and family trunk tied on the back...all their worldly possessions. In the faint background, is seen Mt.Shasta as the family heads south towards a new life seeking work on a federal project - the Central Valley Project and the keystone of the project in Northern California - the construction of Shasta Dam. 

Shasta Theatre aka Pancake Theatre - "the place" to go for the Dam kids. Owned and operated by the Pancake family. The Eastman Collection. 

A local eating place during the Boomtown era, located on Shasta Dam Blvd. before it was paved. The Elverud family collection. 

Join Us in Celebrating History

Visit the Shasta Lake Historical Society today! Explore our exhibits, attend events, and become a member to help us preserve our local heritage for future generations.
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