Welcome to
Nevada County, California
Over 150 years ago, in 1848, gold was discovered on the American River in the foothills of Northern California's Sierra Nevada mountains. The word "GOLD" echoed to the east coast. The rush was on and towns were developing all over Nevada County with names such a Bloomfield, Sweetland, Columbia, French Corral, Graniteville, Sailor Flat, Red Dog, Rough and Ready, Truckee, Washington and You Bet.
Gold was being sought in the rivers and streams, known as placer mining; water blasting the hill sides was called hydraulic mining and underground mining was referred to as hard rock mining. History was made in Grass Valley when George Roberts discovered gold in a quartz outcropping in 1850. Known as the oldest and richest hard rock mine in California, the Empire Mine produced 5.8 million ounces of gold from 1850 to the time it closed in 1956. Under-ground passages totaled 367 miles and depth of 11,000 feet on the incline (approximately 1 vertical mile). After 20 years silence, the Empire Mine was purchased by the State of California and is now known as the Empire Mine State Historic Park.
While gold was being mined downhill, timber and transportation was the focus in Truckee. To most, Truckee is best known for the Donner Party. It was just outside, what we know now as the town of Truckee, where the Donner Party camped. A museum dedicated to the historic journey reminds visitors of the hardships of the pioneers.
You will find Links, below, to various web sites for Nevada County. I do hope you enjoy your virtual visit to this beautiful county.
Looking towards Red Dog and You Bet
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