Bell's Bridge (California)

Bell's Bridge is a historical site in Redding, California in Shasta County. Battle Rock site is a California Historical Landmark No. 519 listed onMay 28, 1954.[1]

Bell's Bridge
California-Oregon Stagecoach Company crossed Bell's Bridge till 1887
Location	Corner old Hwy 99 and Clear Creek Road Redding, California
Coordinates	40.516°N 122.381°W / 40.516; -122.381
Built	1851
Built for	J. J. Bell
California Historical Landmark
Designated	May 28, 1954
Reference no.	519
Location of Bell's Bridge in California Show map of California Bell's Bridge (California) (the United States) Show map of the United States

Bell's Bridge was built on the on the 100 mile long toll road from Shasta City to Tehama in 1851 by J. J. Bell. In Redding Bell built a large house and inn, on Clear Creek, the Bell's Mansion in 1859. Many a California Gold Rush miners stopped and rested and eat at Bell's Mansion on their way to the gold fields of Shasta, Trinity, and Siskiyou counties.[2]

Bell's Mansion was a three-story house that was built on the site of removed old log cabin. Bell's Mansion it was made of massive hand-hewn timbers held together with wooden pegs. The first floor of Bell's Mansion had Bells's office, a dining room restaurant, a parlor and two large bedrooms. The back second floor of Bell's Mansion had six bedrooms for female guest. The fornt second floor and all of the third floor of Bell's Mansion had a large room for all male guest. Bell's Mansion was known for good food and high prices. After Bell's death and the rush was over Mansion became a barn. Mansion was sold to William McCoy in 1879. Due to age and lack of care the barn collapsed in March 1998. The Mansion was at Clear Creek, now the California State Route 273 bridge, and across the street from the Win River Casino at 2100 Redding Rancheria Road, Redding, 40.506°N 122.382°W / 40.506; -122.382.[3]

In the past there was a historical marker at the SouthWest corner of old Hwy 99 and Clear Creek Road in Redding.[4]