Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, McCloud is a picturesque community with a rich agricultural history. The town thrived on the timber industry. For many years the McCloud River Lumber Company was the lifeblood of the community. However, the original sawmill was designed to handle large logs. When large timber began to disappear and was replaced by smaller second-growth logs, the mill could no longer cut it. In 1979 this mill closed for good. Since that time the community has learned to diversify and reinvent itself. Now McCloud is striking to maintain a balance between timber and tourism. A good example is the McCloud Railway Company. At one time it depended exclusively on hauling lumber. Nowadays it hauls lumber and other agricultural products, but the owners have also refurbished some vintage railcars and operate a scenic dinner train. Tourists also visit McCloud for outdoor activities such as golfing and fishing. McCloud is a town that might have dried up and blown away. Instead, a group of dedicated people realized that the key to a brighter future is in preserving the past. As a result, in 1997, the town, named for fur trapper Alexander McCloud, celebrated it's centennial. If you'd like to visit McCloud, contact the McCloud Chamber of Commerce at (530) 964-3113. If you have comments or questions about this story, please contact Executive Producer Corita Gravitt at corita.gravitt@mailexcite.com.