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Rare separately published map of Redding, California, shortly after its incorporation in 1887 and becoming the County Seat of Shasta County in 1888.

This detailed wall map of the City of Redding and its additions, created in 1890, provides a historical snapshot of the town's early development, especially after its incorporation in 1887. Approved by the Board of Trustees of Redding on April 7, 1890, the map was compiled by Carl R. Briggs & Co. and E.A. Zoellin, C.E. It documents the city's early boundaries, land divisions, and key features like the courthouse prominently displayed in an inset. 

The 1890 wall map illustrates Redding during a period of significant growth. It shows the town's grid system, with clear delineations of property boundaries, streets, and notable landmarks. The Sacramento River, which was integral to the city’s development, is depicted prominently, as are key additions to the city, such as cemeteries and farms. The inclusion of the courthouse highlights the town's role as the county seat.

Several large subdivisions are shown with different colors, with larger landowners noted on the periphery, most notably the Deakin Riverside Farm and adjacent Mining Grounds. Conant's Ferry is noted across the Sacramento River on the north side of town, along with J.W. Conant's Star Ranch, with a bridge at the south of town across the river.

This map provides a valuable visual reference for understanding Redding's transformation from a sparsely settled area, initially known as Poverty Flats, into a bustling railroad town that would become a key player in the development of Northern California. The detailed rendering of the town's infrastructure, including its early roads, rail connections, and civic buildings, speaks to its ambitions as a growing urban center at the close of the 19th century. 

Redding History

Redding's history dates back to 1844 when Pierson B. Reading, a notable pioneer, received the Rancho Buena Ventura land grant from the Mexican government. The grant, covering more than 26,000 acres, marked the first European settlement in what is now Redding. This vast tract of land, extending from the present-day cities of Redding to Cottonwood, represented the northernmost settlement by non-natives in California.

The area was home to the Wintu tribe long before European settlement. These indigenous peoples lived along the Sacramento River and surrounding areas, thriving on the abundant resources of the land.   During the California Gold Rush (1848-1855), nearby areas such as Shasta, just to the west of present-day Redding, boomed with mining activity. However, the area that would become Redding was considered poor placer gold ground and gained the derisive name "Poverty Flats." While gold was found in surrounding creeks and rivers, the land where Redding now stands did not yield much. Instead, it became a hub for travelers and miners passing through. 

In 1868, Benjamin B. Redding, a former Sacramento politician and the first land agent for the Central Pacific Railroad, purchased land in Poverty Flats on behalf of the railroad. The area was chosen as the northern terminus for the Central Pacific Railroad, and by 1872, the tracks reached the location. With the establishment of the railroad came the official founding of the town of Redding, named in honor of Benjamin B. Redding. The railroad spurred the town’s growth, turning it into a transportation and economic hub for the region. 

Redding was officially incorporated on October 4, 1887, with a population of around 600 settlers. Just a year later, in 1888, it won the county seat from the older town of Shasta, further securing its position as the primary city in the region. The rivalry between Shasta and Redding was intense, with both towns vying for economic dominance. The establishment of Redding as the county seat marked a turning point in the decline of Shasta and the rise of Redding.

The impressive courthouse, depicted in the map’s inset, symbolized Redding's newfound status and growing prosperity. The city began to expand along its main streets, with businesses and homes spreading outward from the railroad and governmental buildings. 

The town's name went through a brief period of controversy. In 1874, the California legislature attempted to rename the town "Reading" to honor Pierson B. Reading, the original settler. However, the railroad company, which had named the town after their agent, refused to acknowledge the name change. By 1880, the confusion had subsided, and the name "Redding" was officially restored. 

By the turn of the 20th century, Redding had become a well-established town supported by mineral extraction industries, particularly copper and iron. The town's population had grown to over 3,500 by 1910. The Sacramento River played a significant role in the town's economy, as did the railway connections that allowed for shipping agricultural products and minerals to larger markets.  

Rarity

The map is unrecorded.

We were unable to locate any examples in OCLC or elsewhere.  The Shasta County Public Library holds a copy of the map and we suspect an example exists in the Shasta County records.

With the exception of a 2 sheet Sanborn fire map, this is the earliest map of Redding which we could locate, although we have seen reproductions of an 1872 Plan of the Town of Redding, which covers the original town plan only.