Behind the Story: Forest House Near Yreka, California

One of the things I love about writing historical fiction is discovering the real places that make a story come alive--like Forest House.

When I lived in Scott Valley for over 15 years, I passed by this stage stop inn every time I traveled to and from Yreka. And, although I have not been inside this lovely historic building, I have personally toured the grounds. which was a treat. (Thank you to the owners!)

While doing research for my current novel, Kita’s Courage, I made sure to include Forest House, because a friend of mine asked me to. Some of her ancestors used to own Forest House, so including it in my story is not only special in that way, but it's a beautiful place with stories of its own. (Thank you, Tiffany!)

In my story, my tomboy heroine, Kita, and her love interest visit Forest House while investigating a gang of stagecoach robbers. Yes, Forest House really was there during the time period of my story.

Established around 1852, Forest House began as a way station along the road between Yreka and Scott Valley. During the early years of Siskiyou County, travelers, miners, teamsters, and others moving through the region could stop there for food, lodging, and rest. The property eventually grew into much more than a simple stopping place. It included agricultural operations, orchards, and other enterprises, and became a popular gathering place for the local community.

One of the men associated with Forest House was Marshall Short. In fact, the 1876 Siskiyou County Great Register lists Marshall Short as a farmer whose residence was Forest House. That little historical detail was especially exciting to me because it gave me a real person and a real place to weave into Kita's fictional adventure.

Today, the Forest House still stands. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011, recognized for its importance to the early settlement and development of Siskiyou County. The building is remarkably well preserved and remains on the original property.

When I a scene at Forest House, I'm not simply imagining a generic stage stop in the Old West. I'm imagining a real place that stood along a real road, where actual stagecoach robbers really did stop. Gives me chills.

That's one of my favorite parts of writing historical fiction: sometimes the most interesting characters and settings are the ones history has already given us.

And sometimes, all an author has to do is look closely enough to find them.

Your comments are more than welcome!

Author's Note: Although I have not been inside this historic building, I have personally toured the grounds of Forest House.

Bibliographical Notes

• Stapp, Cheryll Anne. The Stagecoach in Northern California: Rough Rides, Gold Camps & Daring Drivers. The History Press, 2021.

• R. Michael Wilson, Stagecoach Robberies in California: A Complete Record, 1856–1913.

• James B. Hume and John N. Thacker, Wells, Fargo & Co. Stagecoach and Train Robberies, 1870–1884, edited and expanded by R. Michael Wilson.

• California State Office of Historic Preservation, State Historical Resources Commission 2011 Annual Report, which includes the historical documentation for Forest House.

• Southern Oregon Historical Society, “Stages and Staging,” a collection of historical newspaper accounts concerning stagecoach travel and robberies in the region.

• Siskiyou County Historical Society, historical index and materials relating to stagecoach robberies and Robber’s Rock.