I walked to the post office this morning and dropped off my recyling along the way at the gas station that flies the state flag (Jefferson, not California like you would expect) along the way. I bet many of you did not know that I live in the 51st state of the United States of America, Jefferson. For more info on the beautiful state of Jefferson, click here.
After dropping my mail in the drop box, I peeked into the windows of what used to be the Montague Hotel and Bar. Every time I drive past it I see neat antiques in the window but no "Open" sign to go in and look. There's a certification of inspection posted in one window that certifies there was no violation which leads me to believe that it'll be opening soon. In another window there's a mannequin in a blue dress with a red vintage hat. On the window is taped a poem that speculates who she is and for whom she awaits. Behind her, amidst construction debris and dust is an antique bar with pendant lights and a deep mahogany finish. I'm intrigued about what will become of this historic site.
Montague was built as a stop along the California-Oregon railroad; perhaps a place to stretch your legs on a long journey and enjoy the views of Mt. Shasta. The railroad doesn't run through here anymore as far as I know so you can imagine the railroad stopping place has now become, well, a town formerly know as a stop on a railroad. The old train depot that used to load ticketed passengers onto the trains was donated to the town years ago with the only stipulation being that they remove it from railroad property. So it now sits along the main drag and serves as a museum. It's only open in the summer so I wasn't able to go in and see what they had to offer.
Walking back to my house from the old bar and hotel, I stop to absorb the history of the town and breathe it in. An old train sits next to the tracks and I spot an old hitching post for horses as well as the ramp up to board the train where the depot used to be. I stand on the tracks and look north and then south and think that back in 1887 it was probably very similar to what it looks like now.
Martin's Store, which appears to have had a major fire, is closed up and stands next to the Montague Fire Department with its offensive air raid siren that I'm becoming quite fond of. 
Other things of interest seen around Montague:
Cute little Methodist church in town.
Old Skool Ink- one of Siskiyou county's highest rated tatoo parlors. Do they really call them parlors anymore? 
The city pool. It's not kept up in the winter and only runs a few months out of the summer. It's snows up here, need I say more?
City Hall is located adjacent to the pool. There's also a little park with a kid play-thing in it. Swings, basketball court, etc. 
A historic building...
Chickens. How can chickens not be interesting when you're from San Diego? Cows will probably be in the next installment. The photos of the paintings are taken from the walls on the Community Hall. For more information on the town of Montague California, see it's official website.
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