Beegum, also known as Bee Gum,[1] is a defunct town which was located in an unincorporated area of Tehama and Shasta counties, in the U.S. state of California.

[6][7] In 1933, the segment between Beegum and Peanut became part of the state highway connecting Eureka, California, to Reno, Nevada via Red Bluff.

[8] By 1972, California State Route 36 was moved, bypassing Beegum and leading to the eventual abandonment of the hamlet, as well as the hunting and fishing resort which operated there.

[7] The Redding chamber of commerce opposed the measure, arguing that the route would be a disadvantage to the people of Shasta County.

[28] By closing the gap between Peanut and Beegum, it was argued, motorists would have a nearly straight highway across the state connecting Eureka, California, to Reno, Nevada, via Red Bluff.

If the people of Beegum and Peanut have not enough imagination to find new names for their hamlets, at least for legislative purposes, they are not entitled to new roads.

[31] A 1931 report by the Eureka district office of the National Automobile Club was more critical, stating: "Between Peanut and Beegum, the road is in very poor condition.

[8] By August, the state highway department kicked off-road repairs, with one crew to be headquartered in Beegum, housed in five cabins constructed by George Selvester for their use.

[35] In 1972, the Oakland Tribune noted that California State Route 36 had bypassed the hamlets of Beegum and Peanut over the course of making highway improvements.