Cottonwood, CA Real Estate and Living

Cottonwood,a charming historic town, is in Shasta County on the north bank of Cottonwood Creek. It was a stagecoach town with a settlement that was established in 1849.

Population

The 2010 United States Census showed a population of 3,316 and 4,178 in 2014, having had a population growth of 139.15 percent since 2000.

Real Estate

Zillow states that, per data through June 30, 2017, the median home value is $218,900, having gone up 10.2 percent over the last year.

Education

Cottonwood has three elementary and two middle public schools. Two of the highest rated are Grant Elementary with a rating of 9 and Evergreen Middle School with a rating of 7. Anderson Union High enrolls 22 percent of the city's population. Recently added is Cottonwood Creek Elementary, a charter school.

Burnsini Vineyards and Winery

This ten-acre vineyard is on a hill at a 700 foot elevation, and the grapes that make delicious red wines thrive. The business name is formed from a combination of the owners, Tom Burnham and Jim Tomasini. The wine-making stages are all on the premises. That includes planting, picking, and bottling with the help of family and friends. The wine is aged in American and French oak barrels for two years. Come by for a tour and a complimentary tasting.

Mouth of Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area

This approximate 1,100 acres of primary habitat has cottonwood, willow, Oregon ash, California rose, blackberry, box elder, and native grasses. It provides an excellent habitat and a place to watch various wildlife and birds such as the bald eagle, Swainson's hawk, and many songbirds. Hunters can hope to find rabbit, deer, tree squirrel, water fowl, quail, dove, turkey, and pheasant.

Shasta, a preserved semi-ghost town

This is an interesting historical site named the Shasta State Historic Park on Highway 299 six miles west of Redding. There are beautiful views of Mt. Shasta and many old brick buildings, some of which have been restored and some that are still in ruins. Residents remain as well as a store, a hay barn, early cottages and cemeteries, and some other commercial buildings that still function. One building that was restored to its 1861 appearance became the Shasta County Courthouse, which is today filled with exhibits and a wonderful collection of historic California artwork.

After 1872 when the California and Oregon Railroad laid track to Redding, Shasta became the entrance to the rich back country gold mines, a stage stop, a supply depot, a commercial hub, and the county seat. However, around 1888, the railroad caused the demise of Shasta.