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Who Were the First Americans to Live at Upper Soda Springs?

Although California was technically under the authority of Spain (and then Mexico) during the 1700s and early 1800s, in fact neither country exercised  practical control much beyond the famous missions of the southern and central coast of California, from San Diego through Monterey to Sonoma.

Hudsons Bay Company and American trappers came along the Siskiyou Trail beginning in the 1820s, but neither established settlements in the mountains of northern California.

The first Americans to settle at Upper Soda Springs came with the Gold Rush Forty-Niners.  By the mid-1850s, a small inn was being operated by Ross and Mary McCloud (pictured at left). 

Taking advantage of Upper Soda Springs' strategic position on the Siskiyou Trail, Ross McCloud built a toll bridge across the Sacramento River next to his inn.  Gold miners and mule packers traveling to and from the rich gold fields of Siskiyou County crossed the toll bridge and spent the night at Upper Soda Springs.

Click below to see images of Upper Soda Springs, along the Siskiyou Trail

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