A small, formal memorial to President John F. Kennedy set on the side of Whiskeytown Dam, marking the spot where he dedicated the dam weeks before his assassination.
Details
- Type
- Historic Site
- Accessibility
- Limited accessibility
Overview
President John F. Kennedy dedicated Whiskeytown Dam on September 28, 1963, during a conservation tour of western states, speaking before thousands of Shasta and Trinity county residents. It was his last visit to California. He was assassinated in Dallas less than two months later.
The Memorial
Residents of Shasta and Trinity counties donated the funds to build the memorial, which was dedicated on October 11, 1964. James K. Carr, a Redding local who had served in the Kennedy administration, delivered the keynote address. The memorial sits on the side of Whiskeytown Dam, with the forested slopes of Shasta Bally rising nearby.