Silverthorn Pizza & Pub, Formerly Owned By Country Icon Merle Haggard, Suffers Devastating Fire

A local pizza restaurant in Redding, CA that was briefly owned by late country music legend Merle Haggard in the 1980s was reportedly…

By

Madeleine O’Connell

| Posted on

July 12, 2024

at

4:25 pm

Share on:

Merle Haggard; Promo Photo

A local pizza restaurant in Redding, CA that was briefly owned by late country music legend Merle Haggard in the 1980s was reportedly destroyed in a fire on Sunday night, July 7.

Silverthorn Pizza & Pub was a popular spot at the historic Silverthorn Resort that opened in 1853 near the Shasta Lake, which was formerly known as the Pit River before the federal government started construction of the Shasta Dam in the late 1930s. Many who frequent the area often choose to take in all the beauty of the thousands of acres of clear water while residing on a houseboat. Haggard too once lived on these waters and spent so much of his time performing at the Silverthorn Pizza & Pub that it eventually became known as his local stage. 

According to KRCR News Channel 7, the Cal Fire’s Shasta-Trinity Unit responded to a call at the resort around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday and they remained onsite throughout the night, fighting to put out the intense blaze. 

Photo Courtesy Silverthorn
Photo Courtesy Silverthorn

The unit told the news outlet that the fire began at the structure and eventually spread to nearby vegetation. Several members of the Cal Fire crew also returned to the resort on Monday to extinguish any hot spots that remained on the structure. In addition to the restaurant being destroyed, the fire also damaged several cabins.

Following the tragic events, the establishment took to social media to reconnect with its community and all those who have stepped up to show their support in this difficult time.

The post read, “In the wake of the devastating fire that claimed our beloved Pizza Pub, we have been profoundly moved by the outpouring of support, love, and cherished memories shared by our community. The beautiful pictures you have posted as a farewell to our historical building, along with the hundreds of heartfelt messages, have provided immense comfort during this difficult time. Your words and images remind us of the countless joyful moments that have made the Pizza Pub a cherished landmark.”

“We extend our deepest thanks to the messages from other marinas, local government institutions, guests, and the public in general. Your collective support has been a beacon of hope for us, and we are deeply grateful for every message, every picture, and every gesture of solidarity.”

The official cause of the fire is still under investigation, Silverthorn’s owners have reportedly said that they plan to rebuild. Until then, five of the eight cabins at Silverthorn Resort are now open and ready to be booked.

“We look forward to welcoming you back and creating new memories together,” the message concluded.

Merle Haggard’s Legacy

Much like this beloved restaurant, Merle Haggard left behind an incredible legacy after he passed away on his 79th birthday on April 6, 2016. In his last few years of life, he often found himself in the hospital battling respiratory issues, but that didn’t stop him from continuing to tour until his very last day. Throughout his life, the singer/songwriter was in and out of juvenile detention halls and eventually found himself in prison. Despite all the trials and tribulations he faced, Haggard still held a strong passion for music and following his release from prison, his talent finally began to pay off in a big way. 

He went on to earn 40 No.1’s on the Billboard Country charts, two Grammy awards and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, multiple Country Music Association Awards and many from the Association of Country Music. Additionally, he earned the Kennedy Center Honor in 2010 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994.

In his personal life, Haggard married five times and had a total of six children, many of whom have followed in their father’s musical footsteps.

YouTube video
Share on:

Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.