Yreka? Why not!

Yreka (pronounced why-reek-uh), the quaint former Gold Rush town of 7.800 located half way between San Francisco and Portland on handy dandy (relatively straight!) all-weather Interstate 5, boasts a high concentration of well preserved Victorian and early twentieth century homes.

According to local writer/historian, Claudia East, during the 1850's boom Yreka was designated the "richest square mile on the planet". Consequently, the miners and entrepreneurs who made their fortunes in Yreka stayed to build homes in testament to their success.

Currently the town "where history lives on" has two areas listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Miner Street (Yreka's main street) and the residential area along Third Street. In all, an impressive 70 homes have special significance and scores of others are just plain pretty to look at.

I recently visited Yreka following a snow storm which gave the gingerbread architecture an ethereal caught-in-a-snow-globe effect. Wandering the streets with its charming main street and architecture ranging from Victorian painted ladies to carpenter gothic cottages, neat bungalows and simple miner's shacks - with an art deco masterpiece or two thrown in for good measure - was an extremely nice way to to spend a winter (or summer, spring or fall!) afternoon. Easily walkable, entirely enjoyable. Plan your own visit soon...until then, I'll be happy to share my photos with you of wonderful Yreka.