Restoration Breathes New Life into Yreka Park’s Historic Arch and Rock Wall

In a testament to community spirit and historical preservation, the restoration of the iconic stone arch and rock wall at Yreka Park, commonly known as Miner Street Park, has been recently completed. This project, spearheaded by the Yreka Enrichment Fund, has not only revitalized a beloved local landmark but also rekindled interest in the rich history of the park and its surroundings.

A Glimpse into History

The stone arch entrance to Yreka Park, located at the intersection of Gold and Miner streets, was originally constructed in 1921 by James Buchanan Russell, affectionately known as J.B. Russell. Born in 1856 in Oregon, Russell moved to Yreka at the age of six and later learned the trade of masonry from his father and mother, the latter being an accomplished stonecutter in her own right.

The land where the park now stands has a fascinating history. Originally used as fairgrounds, it featured corrals around 1900 near the current park entrance. By the late 1920s, as the county established new fairgrounds elsewhere, this area transformed into Yreka’s Athletic Park.

What makes the arch truly special is its composition. J.B. Russell, at the age of 65, constructed it using stones from all over Siskiyou County. These weren’t just any stones – they were part of Russell’s award-winning exhibit at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, where he won a gold medal for the largest and best stone exhibit from any state or county.

Fast forward to the present day, and the Yreka Enrichment Fund recognized the need to restore this historical gem. At a recent event, several speakers highlighted the importance of the project:

• Connie and Brian Meek spoke about the Yreka Enrichment Fund
• Claudia East, a local historian, delved into the history of Miner Street Park
• Mike Grifantini presented a biography of J.B. Russell, the original builder of the arch and rock wall
• Joan Favero discussed the fund’s goals, including the restoration of the foundation and stone arch

The restoration work was entrusted to Giuseppe Fratus, an Italian mason recommended for his expertise. Fratus began the project last summer after returning from Italy. His work included:

• Reinforcing the back of the rock wall with concrete
• Adding to the header of the arch
• Repairing damage caused by vandals over the years
• Improving the left pillar, which had been previously damaged by a car and patched by the city
• The restoration used approximately 25 bags of concrete and 24 bags of sand

The project was a true community effort. The Yreka Enrichment Fund
extended thanks to numerous individuals for their contributions, including
Claudia East, Mike Hendryx, Bob Kaster, Jo Larson, Linda Richter, Andrew
Fitzpatrick, and Mike Whipple and from the city Jason Ledbetter, Matt Bray,
Ben Miller, Kevin Cobb and Emily Aldrich.

As part of the project, new signage has been installed opposite Collier Rock, providing visitors with information about the park’s rich history.

Yreka Enrichment Fund is a forever fund (endowed fund) administered through the Community Foundation of the North State and is established for projects of Yreka’s 501 c 3 organizations, schools and the city by a grant process. 

Contributions can be mailed to:
Community Foundation of the North State
C/O Yreka Enrichment Fund
1335 Arboretum Drive, Ste.B,
Redding, CA 96003. 

Yreka Enrichment Fund will also be participating in North State Giving Tuesday, December 3, 2024.

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