9. Horse Creek: Mile marker 76.2

Horse Creek Footbridge Photo courtesy Gary Rainey

Sargent Sambo Lived to be well over 100 years old. Believed to be the last known full-blooded Shasta Indian Photo courtesy Siskiyou County Museum

The origin of Horse Creek comes from a story told by Sergeant Sambo, a legendary Shasta Indian, whose uncle had a horse attacked by a mountain lion, hence the name. Sergeant Sambo was a versatile character. He accomplished tasks that the local farmers were unable or unwilling to do. From doing laundry to training horses, to tracking and herding stray cattle in the rough terrain, this unique individual was also famous for his corn squeezins'. A little gulch across the river produced cinnabar for an old Chinese elder in the 1850s. Every two years he took it to China where it was prized for medicinal purposes. Robert Rainey homesteaded Horse Creek to raise cattle in 1890. At the same time, a large sawmill was in full operation, supplying the whole area with lumber. Rainey allowed the fertile fields across the river to be extensively dredged in 1938 under the condition that they be restored to farmland. Chester Barton established Horse Creek Camp, where he built a small store and cabins for sportsmen east of the footbridge. In 1901, a new wooden bridge replaced the cable bridge. After it fell into the river, it was replaced by the suspension bridge still in use today. In 1946, a remodeled cafe (at this turnout) became the new store, cafe, gas station and post office. The store was destroyed by an arson fire in 1994.

The Scott River was originally known by trappers as Beaver River. It drains from the Scott Valley, transporting gold from Quartz Hill into the Klamath. Scott River Road was originally a pack trail over which supplies were brought to miners working the gold fields that were discovered by John Scott in 1850. The low water flows of summer allowed miners to divert both rivers with wooden dams. They used massive water wheel pumps to drain the area, giving access to the river bottom. The raging waters of winter over consecutive years destroyed all their efforts causing them to rebuild the following season. The Scott is a challenge for experienced kayakers and a major Fall spawning tributary for salmon.

Waterwheel on the Klamath River Photo courtesy Siskiyou County Museum

Caldwell Store early 1900s Photo courtesy Siskiyou County Museum

Hamburg Store & Post Office early 1900s Photo courtesy Siskiyou County Museum

Services: Store, bed & breakfast, campground.

• Hamburg was named in 1851 by Sigmond Simon, a German miner who prospered in the mercantile business at Scott Bar. Hamburg boasted a population of 5000 around 1880. With 1,500 voters, it was the largest precinct in the county. This precinct included Johnson's Bar, French Bar and Scott Bar.
• Postmaster Dan Caldwell built the old store west of the campground along the highway in 1859. Caldwell's sister-in-law, Sarah Totten, of Shasta Indian descent, operated the store/hotel until she died and it closed in 1930. The deteriorating gray structure still stands to this day.
• Sarah owned property where the campground is located. She donated the land to the Forest Service on the condition they use it as a recreation area.
• Crumpled structures and rock foundations are all that remain of the Johnstons Store, Bailey Post Office, and Bucket Of Blood Saloon. In Hamburg's prime, these establishments catered to wealthy fly fishermen and sportsmen, including Zane Grey.