Yosemite > Library > Mother Lode Country > Significant Towns of the Mother Lode Country >

Next: References • Contents • Previous: Famous Names

A Guide to the Mother Lode Country (1948) by C. Frank Brockman

[click to enlarge]

SIGNIFICANT TOWNS OF THE MOTHER LODE COUNTRY

Mariposa, located at the southern extremity of the Mother Lode, is also the southern terminus of Highway 49; the Mother Lode Highway. Its rich historical associations with the “days of ’49” are enhanced by its connection with Colonel John C. Fremont and his famous Mariposa Grant; the fact that the first gold quartz was mined in the State here; and with events linked with the Mariposa Indian War (1850-51) which was responsible for the formation of the Mariposa Battalion and the first entrance into, and effective discovery of, Yosemite Valley by white men.

The town had its origin in the spring of 1849 when prospectors, seeking gold along the streams and in the gulches of the Mariposa Hills, settled along the flat bordering Mariposa Creek—about one half mile below the present townsite. This embryo community was largely destroyed by floods early in the following year but it was quickly re-built on higher ground, at which time it was given the undistinguished name of “Logtown.” The name “Mariposa” (Spanish for butterfly) was applied a short time later when, about 1852, the community assumed the dignity of the county seat.

Gold was plentiful in the vicinity and the growth of Mariposa, like other boom towns in the area at that time, was phenomenal. In addition to the placer deposits in the area the region was characterized by the rich gold bearing quartz veins of the Mother Lode. The possibility of the removal of the gold from this material was not recognized until Fremont demonstrated its practicability.

Col. Fremont, who arrived at Mariposa in the spring of ’49 with a group of Mexican miners, was one of the earliest citizens of this community.

[click to enlarge] Mariposa —R. Radanovich Photo

[click to enlarge] Lloyd Photo Historic Mariposa County Court House

Today, although Mariposa is but a shadow of its former vigor, it is far from a “ghost town.” Here one finds an active mountain community. Modern improvements, however, have not obliterated evidence of Mariposa’s historic past. Many of the buildings with their characteristic thick masonry walls and heavy iron shutters date from the ’50s. Just off the main street stands the picturesque courthouse, built in 1854 and still in use. This building is notable in that the timbers of its framework are fitted together with mortise and tenon, and held together with wooden pegs. Logs from nearby forests were whip-sawed in order that material could be obtained for its construction. The lumber used in finishing the building was planed by hand and is held in place by square-cut nails. Its archives contain many important and interesting records of the early days. The courtroom on the second floor remains unchanged from the days when it witnessed many famous cases, most noteworthy of which was the long series of litigations concerned with the Mariposa Grant. Nearby is the office of the Mariposa Gazette (originally the Mariposa Chronicle), a weekly established in 1854 and the oldest newspaper in continuous publication in the State.

About Mariposa are a number of once prosperous mining camps which were in their heyday in the ’50s. To the south on a branch road one finds two of these—villages with such picturesque names as Mormon Bar and Bootjack.

About six miles west of Mariposa, just north of the point where the Merced-Yosemite highway crosses Aqua Fria Creek, the location of the once-prosperous mining camp of Aqua Fria may be found. During the early days of the gold rush it was a thickly populated community. For a time, following the establishment of Mariposa County under the Territorial Government, it was the first county seat—although it was soon replaced by Mariposa in that capacity. Today, however, there is no indication of its former presence. It exists only in the memory of the oldest inhabitants or upon the fading pages of history. The answer to this lies in the fact that the placer deposits of the area, although rich, were soon worked out. Thereafter the town quickly declined to eventual oblivion. Its history is typical of many of the old camps that are now no longer in existence.

Mount Bullion, located about five miles north of Mariposa on Highway 49, was first known as La Mineta and then, until about the turn of the century, as Princeton. There is little about this town today to indicate that it was once one of the more important mining communities in Mariposa County. Originally a placer mining center, its importance was enhanced by the fact that rich quartz veins were discovered in the vicinity. The Princeton Mine, developed from a discovery in 1852, was one of the largest producers in the region and the original locators reaped handsome profits until forced to relinquish possession of the property when Colonel Fremont established his title to the Mariposa Grant in 1856.

Mount Ophir. The historic mint, established in 1851 by J. L. Moffat, was located a few miles north of Mount Bullion on Highway 49. This mint, and the rich mine nearby, was responsible for the development of a thriving town here in the ’50s which has since passed into memory. Fifty dollar hexagonal slugs, officially sanctioned by Congress as legal United States coins, were manufactured here. Although a number of other private concerns in California issued gold coins at about this same time such activities, although permitted, were not officially recognized by the Federal Government. Thus the Mount Ophir mint was the first authorized establishment of its kind in California. Until a few years ago the crumbling walls of the structure marked the site. Since then even those have secumbed to the ravages of time and today a metal marker near the highway is the sole indicator of this structure.

The issuance of coins by private concerns grew out of the need for a more convenient means of exchange than the traditional gold dust, since no U. S. Mint existed in the State at that time.

Bear Valley, about eleven miles north of Mariposa, presents an appearance today that is a far cry from its opulence in the ’50s when it was the headquarters of Colonel Fremont and his Mariposa Grant, the virtual metropolis of the region and the hub of many exciting and important events. At one time it had a population of more than 3,000. Many miners were employed to work the nearby claims and the industry of numerous others in and about the community supplemented those activities. Col. Fremont had envisioned a self-sufficient community. The town was once characterized by the presence of the Oso House, a well known hotel, as well as a large company store, numerous other business establishments, and his own charming residence attractively furnished and staffed with servants from France. Storekeepers were encouraged to establish themselves here and a large garden provided fresh vegetables, an extreme rarity in these parts at that time. In short the Grant resembled an old time feudal domain and Bear Valley was its busy, active capital. Today all this has vanished. The crumbling walls of the original Trabucco store, built by Louis Trabucco (pioneer merchant of Mariposa County), who first settled here in 1850, is the most tangible link between the present and Bear Valley’s historic past.

Hornitos. Narrow streets and crumbling masonry walls with their characteristic heavy iron shutters speak eloquently of this town’s hectic past. The name, which in Spanish means “little ovens,” refers to the oven-like tombs of stone in which the original Mexican inhabitants placed their dead.

The town was established in 1850 by a group of lawless miners, largely Mexicans, who had been “requested” to leave Quartzburg by a law and order committee of that earlier but now defunct community. The offenders merely transferred their activities to a point on Burns Creek two miles farther west.

For a time—until law abiding citizens settled here in sufficient numbers to gain control of the town government—Hornitos was considered to be one of the wildest spots in the region. Its early history is spiced with bloody and almost unbelievable tales. Included among these are a number of escapades of Joaquin Murietta, the bandit, who had many friends among his countrymen here; the gory knife duel fought in the plaza by two daughters of the town; and of the unfortunate Chinaman who was lynched in jail by a group of townsmen who, unable to break into the stout stone structure, tossed a noose through the small window and over the prisoner’s head, then literally bashed his brains out by jerking him repeatedly against the inside wall.

But Hornitos’ fame is based upon more prosaic happenings as well. It is the only incorporated town in Mariposa County. At one time it had a population of nearly 15,000 and $40,000 in gold was shipped daily from the old Wells Fargo Express Office, the first Wells Fargo office in the county. For many years Hornitos

[click to enlarge] Ruins of Ghiradelli store — Hornitos

Quartzburg. Today, like Aqua Fria, this town exists only in memory. Although the date of its establishment preceeded that of Hornitos by one year it passed gradually into oblivion when the placer deposits in the vicinity were worked out. Most of the populace moved to nearby Hornitos. The site of Quartzburg may be seen along the Hornitos-Bear Valley road.

Bagby (originally Ridley’s Ferry) lies at the bottom of a long, sinuous grade through “Hell’s Hollow,” where Highway 49 crosses the Merced River. Although there is but little of interest here today it was once the site of the power dam (first in California) and stamp mill erected by Col. Fremont. For many years it was known as Benton Mills, after Senator Thomas H. Benton of Missouri, Fremont’s father-in-law and counselor. The name Bagby was applied when the now defunct Yosemite Valley R.R. was built (1907), after the owner and operator of the hotel there at that time.

Coulterville. Nestling placidly in a beautiful valley along Maxwell’s Creek one finds the remnants of what once was a prosperous town of several thousand people and the center of a rich and extensive mining district. The town bears the name of George B. Coulter, first storekeeper in the region.

[click to enlarge] Hornitos Jail

In 1849 Coulter was operating a store farther west along the Merced River. Hearing that a large number of miners were at work in a rich and recently discovered placer area farther back in the hills along Maxwell’s Creek and that no store existed in the area, he quickly recognized his opportunity. Early in 1850, after procuring a round, blue canvas tent and a supply of merchandise, he arrived at the Maxwell’s Creek “diggings.” He set up business by merely swinging his tent from the limb of a convenient tree. From the apex of the tent he flew a small American flag and because of this the Mexican miners, who were in the majority here at that time, dubbed the location Banderita (little flag). The settlement was known by that name until it became more pretentious, when it was re-christened Coulterville.

Although the original impetus for the development of Coulterville stemmed from the discovery of the rich placer diggings, the town itself is directly on the Mother Lode. Consequently it was in the immediate vicinity of some of the largest ledges of gold bearing quartz in the region. When the placer deposits had been largely worked over the town assumed importance as a “hard rock” mining center.

Coulterville suffered several disastrous fires (1857, 1879, and 1899) which destroyed much of its original character. The original Jeffrey Hotel, a unique two story structure of adobe, has been replaced by a later and larger building. Most of the other original buildings, gutted by fire, have either been razed or have gradually succumbed to the vagaries of time. A number of roofless walls remain, however, to give indication of this community’s former importance.

Worthy of note is an amusing incident concerned with the removal of one of these fire-gutted ruins which occurred about the turn of the century. The original owner, probably for safe keeping and unknown to the rest of the populace had sealed a quantity of gold coins in the wall. Following the fire of 1899 the walls with their unknown treasure were pulled down and the refuse was used to fill several large chuck holes in the street. A few days later, following a heavy rain, a few of these old coins were exposed to view. Further explorations turned up additional gold pieces and soon the entire populace dropped their ordinary tasks and turned out in full force to “prospect” the former chuck holes with implements of every conceivable type—including butcher knives. In

[click to enlarge] Old Locomotive — Coulterville

On Highway 49, at the center of the town (incidently a rather grandiose statement for Coulterville) one finds the walls of several ruined buildings and an interesting old narrow gauge engine with a few of its cars. This engine was used about the turn of the century to haul ore from the Mary Harrison mine. Although the track was but four miles long it was widely known as the “crookedest railroad in the world.” Shading this relic of Coulterville’s past is a large oak tree which old timers say was used on the occasion of several impromptu “necktie parties.”

Today Coulterville dozes complacently in the past. The “good old days” are kept alive in the yarns that are swapped endlessly by the village patriarchs who congregate daily under the shade of the trees at the main corner of the town.

Priests. Near the Moccasin Creek Power House one comes to the junction of Highways No. 49 and No. 120. That section of the latter road which winds its tortuous way eastward from this point is known as the Big Oak Flat Road. It passes through several interesting old mining centers enroute to Yosemite National Park.

From the junction the Big Oak Flat Road makes a long, steady, sinuous climb for several miles up the famous Priest Grade. Priest’s Hotel, originally operated by W. C. Priest, formerly stood at the top of the hill. In the ’80s and ’90s it was a famous stopping place for horse-drawn stages carrying early day visitors to Yosemite.

Big Oak Flat. In the early ’50s what is now a sleepy village along the Big Oak Flat Road, 49 miles west of Yosemite Valley, was a vigorous, roistering community. Its story begins about 1848 when James D. Savage, best remembered as the leader of the Mariposa Battalion which was the first group of white men to enter Yosemite Valley (1851), and James Woods discovered the rich gravels which here overlaid the bed rock granite.

The town’s name is derived from the fact that in the early days an oak tree, over eleven feet in diameter, was the distinguishing feature of the area. So intent were the miners in their search for gold that they eventually worked over the gravels of the flat and reduced its level by at least five feet. As the earth about the tree was removed its support was eventually des[t]royed and it finally toppled over. Later its prostrate trunk was almost completely destroyed during a disastrous fire that swept the town. Today only a few sections of wood from this tree remain, preserved in a stone monument along the highway at the west end of the town.

Disastrous fires were a common and almost accepted part of life in the old mining towns of the Mother Lode Country during the early days. Buildings were hastily built, flimsily constructed for the most part, and crowded together. Streets were narrow and crooked and in many instances no means of fighting fire was at hand except the old fashioned, hastily organized bucket brigade. The dilapidated appearance of many of these towns, and Big Oak Flat is no exception, is largely the result of having been burned out on numerous occasions.

Groveland. One mile east of Big Oak Flat is this small but energetic mountain community. The closely crowded buildings which hug the edges of the road serving as the main street, are reminiscent of this town’s past history as an important mining center. It was originally called Garrote, derived from the fact that a horse thief met death here by hanging.

Hangman’s Tree or Second Garrote. This location on the Big Oak Flat Road was first termed San Ignacio. It is characterized by a huge old oaken snag which is reputed to have served in sixty hangings. However, that seems a prodigious number even for the days when such occurrences were not uncommon. Nearby is a small frame dwelling designated as the “Bret Harte Cabin” but the title is erroneous, although it is said that the famous writer did frequent this area on occasion. The characters of the unforgettable story, “Tennessee’s Pardner,” were supposedly taken from two inseparable friends (Jason P. Chamberlain and James A. Chaffee) who, after settling here in 1852, built this house. Here they lived for many years and their loyalty to each other, as well as their kindness to travelers using the Big Oak Flat Road, became legendary. Neither of the men married. About 1912 Chaffee, when 80 years of age, took sick and died. Chamberlain, lonely and unable to adjust himself

[click to enlarge] Big Oak Flat — I. O. O. F. Hall

Jacksonville. Although gold was found here in important quantities, and although by 1850 this town rivaled Sonora and Columbia in importance, Jacksonville was more widely known for the agricultural rather than mineral productivity of its soil. Here Julian Smart, first settler in the area, developed a garden and orchard that became the talk of the Southern Mines. In 1852 his vegetable plate dinners, at $2.50 each, were eagerly sought after by miners of the region. His orchard, started in that year, soon became famous for its great variety of luscious fruits— peaches, pears, apples, cherries, grapes, and many others—which had been carefully selected so that a continuous crop would be forthcoming from April until November. In later years, however, the diligent search for gold by Chinese miners, who carefully worked over the entire area, destroyed its productivity.

Jacksonville was named for Col. A. M. Jackson, Mexican War Veteran, who established a trading post here in the spring of 1849.

South of Jacksonville, along the Tuolumne River, stands Red Mountain which is said to be the locale of Smith’s Pocket which figures in one of Bret Harte’s most famous famous stories, “M’liss”.

Chinese Camp. Once prosperous and important, the appearance of this community today is a picture of desolation. One finds little to indicate how rich in history and tradition it is. Table Moun[t]ain, on the skyline to the north, is mentioned on numerous occasions in the tales of Bret Harte and

[click to enlarge] Hangman’s Tree on Big Oak Flat Road

The rich gravels about Chinese Camp were being worked early in 1849. While most towns of the Mother Lode had a considerable number of Chinese residents during the mining days, this was even more the case here. Many Chinese were employed by a group of Englishmen to work the claims in this region and at one time they made up the bulk of the population here. Differences between two tongs of these people were responsible for the notorious “Chinese War” which consisted of one engagement fought near the base of Table Mountain (September 26, 1856). Several thousand Chinese fought with a variety of weapons, from pikes to firearms. Although there was considerable excitement and noisy-skirmishing the casualties were considerably lower than one would expect, considering the number of participants. Four Chinese were killed and four wounded.

The location of this town made it a logical center in the region and for many years it was the hub of several stage and pony express routes. In its heyday it had a population of 5,000. It was not without its moments of lawlessness. Robberies, murders and lynchings were not uncommon. “Chinese” as it was nicknamed, continued to be rather broadminded in matters of this kind long after other towns had worked out a satisfactory system of law and order. But today this sleepy village, drowsing peacefully in the foothill sunshine, gives little indication of its boistrous past.

Jamestown. This town, founded about 1848 by Col. George James, a San Francisco lawyer, was familiarily known as “Jimtown” in the old days. It was strategically located in the center of a rich mining district which also provided considerable background for a number of Bret Harte’s stories. Quartz and Stent which lie along a picturesque “cutoff” road between Jacksonville and Jamestown, about two miles south of the latter town, are said to have been the mining camps described by Bret Harte as Quartz Mountain and Poverty Hill.

During the mid-fifties Jamestown boasted of a population of 6,000, at which time it made a determined but unsuccessful attempt to wrest the county seat from nearby Sonora. Today the traveler will find that the modern trend has all but erased obvious evidence of its character during the “days of ’49”.

[click to enlarge] Bret Harte Cabin at “Second Garrote”

Sonora. Here, in spite of the fact that progress has bestowed many favors—for Sonora is the county seat of Tuolumne County, the commercial center of a wide area, and a bustling, energetic town—the evidences of its robust past are not entirely submerged. Interspersed with modern public buildings, beautiful homes, and wide awake business establishments one finds many reminders of Sonora’s beginnings. Pictureesque, narrow streets thread their way along the hillsides. A few buildings still carry the flavor of the old days. One of the most interesting of these early structures is St. James’ Episcopal Church which stands at the intersection on top of the hill at the north end of the business district. Built in 1857, it is the oldest Episcopal Church in California. It was built after the town had achieved some degree of permanence for originally it consisted merely of an accumulation of brush huts and canvas shelters. These crude affairs were later replaced by adobe structures that were themselves supplanted by buildings fashioned from more modern materials.

Sonora’s beginnings occurred during the summer of 1848. Here a rich placer “diggings” was discovered by a group of Mexican miners. The original discoverers were soon joined by many of their countrymen and, since they were largely from the State of Sonora in Old Mexico, the locality became known as Sonoran Camp. As the rich strike became known it quickly developed into one of the most important and populous camps of the California gold region. Before another year had passed it was the largest town and the metropolis of the area, boasting of a population of between 15,000 and 20,000.

Since no roads were available to this point at that time, travel to

[click to enlarge] Sonora Pitts Studio

Under the impact of the tremenduous influx of people the original Mexican population was submerged. In 1849 a town government was established. Sonora’s beginnings as an organized metropolis, however, were not auspicious. The crowded town was soon beset by numerous troubles. The rugged, unbalanced diet upon which the people subsisted brought on a serious epidemic of scurvy which claimed the lives of many inhabitants. So severe was this plaque that a hospital, Sonora’s first civic enterprise, was opened late in ’49. In addition the first of several disastrous fires (’49, ’52, and ’53) all but obliterated the town. However, the event that probably affected the character of the community most was the law, passed in 1850 by the State Legislature, which imposed a tax of $20.00 per month on foreign miners. This touched off a series of violent acts. A “war” between the Mexican and American miners was averted only at the last moment by the hasty departure of the former from the town. These men scattered about the countryside and as a result Sonora and its immediate vicinity was the

[click to enlarge] Pitts Studio St. James’ Episcopal Church — Sonora

But in spite of scurvy, fire, feuds, and the eventual decline of mining activity Sonora’s destiny could not be denied. Law abiding citizens worked continuously for improvement and the town boasts of a number of “firsts.” The Sonora Herald, the first newspaper to be published in the California mining region, was initiated in July 1850. The first issues were printed on wrapping paper and were but nine by thirteen inches in size. Churches and schools were established in 1852 and the Sonora Theatre, in which many artists of the time played, was opened in that year.

A short distance from Sonora one finds what is left of Shaw’s Flat. Still

[click to enlarge]

Squabbletown, Sawmill Flat, and Yankee Hill—all meaningful names to the fortyniners during the days when these places were characterized by sufficient population to deserve names—exist today largely in memory. They are found on a minor road to the east of the main highway between Sonora and Columbia.

Columbia. Although but a shadow of its former self the latent charm and basic characteristics of this town most adequately express the spirit of the “fabulous fifties.” It is the best preserved of the entire galaxy of the old mining camps along the Mother Lode and, largely due to that fact, was designated a State Park in 1945.

Many of its early buildings are gone, having succumbed to the ravages of time. However, those along the main street as well as many on the side avenues have withstood the years and by this means one can, with a bit of imagination, reconstruct the warp and woof of the pattern of the original tapestry. Walking along the main street one immediately steps back into the early ’50s. Arching trees shade this thoroughfare. Picturesque old brick buildings excite the imagination so that one can readily fabricate adventures which may likely have occurred behind their solid iron shutters. Stone steps descending below the street level to mysterious basement fandango halls speak eloquently of the past so that, standing in the quiet of the present day, one can almost hear the thump of miner’s boots, their boisterous laughter, and the shrill music of violins as pioneer musicians “sawed out” their tunes.

[click to enlarge] Columbia — Main Street

Columbia was one of the last of the old mining towns to be founded. The discovery of the rich placers here was, as is often the case, the result of chance. Although some Mexican miners had turned up some “color” in the area a few days previously the almost unlimited richness of the area did not really become known until March 26, 1850 when Thaddeus Hildreth and four companions spent a rainy night here. The next day, while waiting for their blankets to dry, the party tried their luck in panning the earth. Their casual efforts were richly rewarded.

News of the strike soon spread about the country and a vertiable stampede to Hildreth’s Diggins, as the place was originally known, resulted. Within a month the camp boasted of a population of 6,000. A short time later 15,000 people had gathered here and the name of Columbia was adopted.

However, in spite of the rich nature of the surrounding area Columbia was essentially a “dry diggings.” Reclaiming the riches from the earth was an extremely laborious process due to the lack of sufficient water with which to work the gravel. Thus, for several years Columbia’s population was seasonal. Miners would flock in during the period of spring freshets and as quickly leave when the long dry summer season set in. In 1852 water companies were organized, flumes and ditches were constructed, and water from permanent streams in the vicinity was diverted to this section. Henceforth Columbia took on stability and some degree of permanence. The town, laid out in 1852, was incorporated in 1854. Meanwhile schools, newspapers, express offices, banks and stage lines had been established. It also had its

[click to enlarge] Express Office — Columbia

Like all of the original towns the first buildings were flimsily constructed so it is not su[r]prising that in 1854 Columbia was almost totally destroyed by fire. Thus made aware of the need for more satisfactory buildings a new Columbia, characterized by brick and masonry structures, rose immediately—almost from the still smoldering ashes of the old town. Most of the structures found today date from that period and except for its weatherbeaten appearance the main street of Columbia remains essentially unchanged. Further, although people have continued to live and work here, this has not fostered the development of a “modern trend” that has obliterated the evidences of its picturesque past— so often the case in so many of the more prosperous towns of the Mother Lode Country.

On a prominence at the west side of town one sees St. Anne’s Catholic Church, built in 1856 and still in use. In the churchyard is a little cemetery that had a narrow escape from destruction at the hands of greedy gold seekers. As one enters the town the old Fallon Hotel is seen and at the corner, on the main street, stands the most picturesque of Columbia’s buildings—the Wells Fargo Express office—from which it is reputed over $50,000,000 in gold was shipped. A grand total of approximately $90,000,000 in gold was recovered from the earth in the immediate Columbia area, the soil being washed. from between the limestone deposits which now appear as wierd, fantastic, gray knobs in the surrounding landscape.

On the main street of the town one also finds the Stage Driver’s Retreat in which the original bar and piano, which was shipped around “the horn,” are found. There is also the Knapp Grocery Store which was saved in one of Columbia’s numerous fires by the timely use of two barrels of vinegar in the absence of sufficient water to quench the flames, and the old fire house with its two historic, hand-operated fire engines (“Papete” and “Monumental”) together with the unique fire hose fashioned of riveted buffalo hide. On a prominence on the northeast side of town stands the red brick school, built in 1862. This was in use until comparatively recent years. Adjoining the school is Columbia’s pioneer cemetery where many of the town’s early citizens are buried.

Truly, in spite of the faded nature of its present appearance, one can prime most certainly deserved the title of “Gem of the Southern Mines.”

[click to enlarge] St. Anne’s Catholic Church — Columbia. Note limestone knobs in foreground.

[click to enlarge] Swerer’s Store — Tuttletown

Tuttletown. Originally known as Mormon Gulch, the present name was applied shortly after gold was discovered here, in honor of Judge A. H. Tuttle who constructed the first log cabin on this site in 1848. Like other towns, or former towns, in this area it lies in the heart of the Bret Harte-Mark Twain country, and owes its fame principally to that fact. Physically it is but a shadow of its former self when, during the gold rush, it could boast of several thousand inhabitants. Only a few buildings, with thick masonry walls and heavy iron shutters, remain. Swerer’s Store, where Mark Twain is supposed to have traded during the period when he lived on nearby Jackass Hill, may be found along the highway. This building was built in 1852. The main highway between Melones and Sonora, which passes through Tuttletown, is considered as the “Slumgullion Road” described by Bret Horde in his “Idyll of Red Gulch.”

Jackass Hill owes its interest today to the existence of the Mark Twain Cabin, reached via a side road which branches from the highway about a mile north of Tuttletown. The cabin that one sees today is a faithfully reconstructed version of the original which was destroyed by fire. Bill

[click to enlarge] Mark Twain’s Cabin — Jackass Hill

Sam Clemens’ prowess as a miner left much to be desired but he struck “pay dirt” in the material that he picked up in the region, and which was destined to launch him on his career as one of the most famous of American writers and humorists. It is reputed that he obtained the basis for his famous “Jumping Frog of Calavaras County” from a loquacious bartender at Angel’s Camp, and that the original draft of that manuscript was prepared in the original cabin on Jackass Hill. Others of his California stories were undoubtedly born here.

Except for this shrine of American literature Jackass Hill today would be known merely as a natural stopping place, during the old days, along the Robinson’s Ferry-Tuttletown trail. Numerous jacks, tethered here by miners traveling to and from various points in the region, would make their presence known by their raucous “music.” Often there were as many as 200 animals in the vicinity at one time, thus accounting for the name.

Melones (Spanish for “melons”), lies near the point where Highway 49 crosses the Stanislaus River. It derives its name from the fact that Mexican miners, the first arrivals here, found free gold about the size of melon seeds in the stream. It was later re-named “Slumgullion” and then, upon the establishment of a ferry here, as Robinson’s Ferry. It is said that during the height of the gold rush $10,000 in tolls were collected during a period of about six weeks from the swarms of miners who used the ferry in crossing the river. Now a modern bridge spans the stream and the original name has again been applied. Two picturesque old structures characterize the area.

Carson Hill, immediately north of the Stanislaus River, was named for James H. Carson who in 1848 first prospected in this region. He did not remain long enough, however, to discover its rich values. These came to light in 1850 when rich ore was uncovered, but the discoverers—Hance and Morgan were beset with difficulties over its operation and troubles with other miners in the area. In due time it passed into the hands of James Fair who, it seems, was quite often ready at hand with the ability and the nerve to take over some lanquishing operation and turn it to his profit. The Morgan mine was one of the stepping stones to Fair’s success.

As the road winds over the hill toward Angel’s the motorist sees much evidence of recent mining activity in the numerous buildings and the scarred hillsides. The entire area was fabu[l]ously rich. There is an amusing story credited to Carson Hill during the early days which, if true, emphasizes that fact. A miner was being buried. As services were being held one of those who had come to pay their last respects noticed “pay dirt” in the newly opened grave. The ceremonies were rudely and quickly terminated while everyone, including the minister, hastily located claims. It is persumed that the deceased was interred in another location.

Angel’s Camp. Here, in 1848, James H. Carson and Henry Angel, for whom the town is named, made the discovery of startlingly rich placer deposits in a ravine which was later to become the nucleus of the town. So rich were these diggings that claims which produced less than two ounces of gold per day (gold was then valued at $16.00 per ounce) were ignored. It is also said that one claim but ten feet square yielded $9,003 from its surface workings and when these were removed a quartz vein valued at $200 per ton was exposed.

Under the impact of such values Angel’s Camp soon became one of the largest and most important towns of the Southern Mines. Some of the most famous literary efforts of Bret Harte and Mark Twain refer to this area, notably Twain’s “Jumping Frog of Calavaras County.” Here too the rough, uninhibited humor of the miners prompted the famous hoax known as the “Pliocene Skull” which for a time confounded many of the eminent geologists of the day. This fraud is kept alive in the poem of the same name by Bret Harte.

But although the golden era of Angel’s Camp became tarnished when the rich deposits in the region were diminished, and although the years have slightly dimmed its association with those two famous writers, its destiny was not to be denied. Progress has smiled upon it. Today, straddling the Mother Lode Highway, its face has been lifted by modem improvements. Yet its past has been kept alive by a few of the older buildings and the picturesque names of some of the streets, not to mention the annual jumping frog contest which, although commercialized, retains some of the flavor of the event depicted by Mark Twain.

[click to enlarge] Vallecito — Bell and Monument

Vallecito. The name of this locality (Spanish for little valley) is an adequate description of its charming location. But it was not always known by that phonetic title, nor was the placid, peaceful character which it presents today always typical. The rich placer diggings here were originally discovered in 1849 by the Murphy brothers and, as was typical of the time, the town was known for many years by the uneuphonious title of “Murphy’s Old Diggings.”

Entering the village from the south one sees only a few old buildings. The Dinkelspeil Store, built in 1852, is the most typical. At the intersection here one can turn off the main highway and after a drive of but one block a historic monument, surmounted by an old bell, will be found. Originally this bell was hung from the branches of an oak tree which grew nearby. It served as a means of calling the miners’ to meetings of all sorts. A number of years ago the oak was felled by a high wind. The bell was then mounted in its modern setting to serve as a memento of Vallecito’s golden era which is receding ever more rapidly into the past.

Douglas Flat, between Vallecito and Murphy’s, exhibits little of its original character, except for the old Gilleado building which is a picturesque landmark with thick walls and iron shuttered windows and doors. During the town’s heyday the safe within this building was used as a vault for large quantities of gold. But in order that the treasure might be more adequately protected a guard was stationed here constantly and a “shot gun window” which was cut through the thick wall beside the rear door can still be seen.

Murphy’s. In spite of the placid dignity which characterizes this town one can, with but little imagination, picture it in the romantic period of the gold rush. It was founded by John and Daniel Murphy who discovered gold here in 1848 and it was one of the most important earlier settlements of the region. Consequently, it is not surprising to learn that many interesting episodes of those picturesque times occurred here.

Along the main highway, which still forms the principal street, rolled horse-drawn stages and freight wagons. Clouds of dust billowed through the leafy branches of the trees lining this thoroughfare. The Mitchler Hotel, originally the Sperry Hotel, is a fine and picturesque structure and was built in 1856. Many famous people stopped here, as the old registers indicate. It is said to be the hostelry referred to in Bret Harte’s “A Night in Wingdam.”

Murphy’s exudes the color of the “days of ’49” by its picturesque setting

[click to enlarge] Mitchler Hotel — Murphy’s

As one might expect not everyone who profited by his contact with the gold rush secured his “stake” by digging it from the earth. There were other ways. The old Rollens store here is an excellent reminder of that fact. Its thick masonry walls and heavy iron shutters have been little affected by time. Rollens, a French army officer, was one of the horde cf argonauts who journeyed to America in search of wealth. Here he conducted a general merchandise store and ministered to the needs of the miners in the surrounding country. When the Franco-Prussian War began he was recalled for service in the French army and sold his enterprise for the reputed sum of $15,000 before his departure. Numerous other old structures, such as the Wells Fargo Express building and the I.O.O.F. Hall, also add character to this delightful village.

North of Murphy’s a minor road winds through the foothills east of San Andreas to Mokelumne Hill on Highway 49. It passes through several localities that were once important gold camps with names such as Sheep Ranch (where the father of the present publisher worked and laid the foundation for the Hearst fortu[n]e), Poverty Flat (considered by some as the locale of one of Bret Harte’s stories, the “Iliad of Sandy Bar), Whisky Slide, Jesus Maria (an important camp in the ’50s populated chiefly by Mexicans), and Happy Valley (originally an important French community. Few tangible evidences of the original character of these settlements remain, yet the drive, if one does not object to narrow and tortuous roads, is of interest in its own right if conditions are favorable.

Another narrow mountain road, roughly parallel to and several miles east of Highway 49, affords an alternate route between Altaville and San Andreas. It passes through the locations of camps originally known as Dogtown, Calavaritas, Scratch Gulch, and Brandy Flat. There is little of significant tangible evidence left at these points but in rolling these names off one’s tongue one can taste a bit of the flavor of those lusty days which fostered their unique names.

San Andreas. This town disputes Angels’ claim to notoriety as the site of the jumping frog contest depicted in the story by Mark Train. But San Andreas is famous in other ways. It was here that the notorious bandit, Black Bart, was finally brought to justice and sentenced to prison, ending his career of 27 stage robberies over a period of seven years. He met his waterloo near Copperopolis when he halted the Milton-Sonora stage. The unexpected appearance of a small boy so unnerved the highwayman that he left in haste, losing a bit of wearing apparel with a laundry mark upon it that eventually served as the means of his identity. He was arrested in San Francisco where he had posed as a respectable mining man whose journeys out of town were prompted by the need to visit mythical mining properties.

San Andreas was also frequented on occasion by Joaquin Murietta whose numerous escapades left a bloody trail throughout the Mother Lode Country

Mexicans were the original settlers here. In 1849, when gold was discovered in this region, Americans flocked to San Andreas and eventually crowded the original settlers out. In the ’60s, by which time the placer deposits were largely depleted, Chinese settled here in great numbers and laboriously worked over the areas abandoned by the American miners.

One of the interesting points in this vicinity is the pioneer cemetery, several miles out of town along the Son Andreas-Stockton road.

Mokelumne Hill. In the “good old days” this was one of the wildest towns of the Mother Lode, prompted by the richness of the various diggings and the temperaments of miners of many nationalities.

It had its origin in the fall of 1848 as a single store. Ls word of the rich gold-bearing areas here spread, a town of considerable proportions soon developed. Today, although a shadow of its former importance, its rather run-down and dilapidated appearance presents a number of mementos of its former glory. There is the I.O.O.F. Hall, one of the first three story buildings in the State. When it was constructed it was a veritable skyscraper, since most buildings in this region at that time were of one story. The memory of the inevitable Chinatown is kept alive by the presence of an iron shutter partly imbedded in a tree near the main corner of the town. It was placed there following a fire that destroyed that section. Left undisturbed in that

[click to enlarge] Butte City — Ginocchio Store

[click to enlarge] I. O. O. F. Hall — Mokelumne Hill

Chile Gulch, a short distance to the south of “Mok Hill,” was the site of the “Chilean War” between Chilean and American miners in 1849 which embodied explosive complications. In a “Mok Hill” saloon, it is said, Joaquin Murietta, his identity unknown, was playing cards when he heard a braggart boast of what he would do if he and Murietta ever met. Murietta jumped upon a table, announced his identity, and before the astounded assemblage could gather their wits, rushed outside with his followers, mounted horses and galloped away in typical movie thriller fashion.

Butte City. The location of this once-busy community is marked only by the stout remains of the Ginocchio store which fronts on the main highway between Mokelumne Hill and Jackson. It was built well and apparently with high hopes for the permanency of the community but today it stands forlorn and deserted among the rolling hills of the countryside — a figurative shroud for the temporary qualities of man’s most earnest efforts.

Jackson. Before this town took its place among the other localities of the Mother Lodge Country as a gold producing center it was an important transportation hub for traffic to and from various towns of the Southern Mines and the two most important supply centers in the region— Stockton and Sacramento. It also served as one of the main stopping points between the southern and northern portions of the California mining region.

Settled originally by Mexicans in 1848 it was originally known as Botellas (Bottle Springs) presumably because of the bottles left beside a spring here. The name Jackson was applied later in honor of Col. A. M. Jackson, Mexican War veteran, by a number of his former soldiers who had settled here.

In spite of modern changes Jackson remains a picturesque town of winding, narrow streets and many old buildings dating from the ’50s. Its geographic location which has continued to sustain it as an important center along the Mother Lode Highway is enhanced by the fact that in the surrounding hills there existed rich veins of gold-bearing quartz. Inevitably the placer areas of the region were exhausted and by 1851 lode mining began. Such activity, although not without difficulty and disappointment, has imparted a degree of permanence to this community. Some of the most famous gold mines of the State are located in Amador

[click to enlarge] Volcano jail

Volcano once boasted of a population of 8,000. Today the town can muster less than 100 souls. But it is one of the most picturesque of the ghost towns of the Mother Lode Country and is well worth the necessary side trip from the main highway at Jackson. It is distinctive in that the first rental library in California was started here and the fact that here the “little theater” idea first blossomed into reality. This is mute evidence of the fact that the populace of the gold era was concerned with something beside the more rowdy and lawless activities with which those times are so often associated.

Although many of the old buildings have deteriorated with the passing of time a few remain in good condition—including the fine old St. George Hotel, once the pride of the Mother Lode Country. It is still operating. Also of interest is the jail, constructed of steel plates sandwiched between two-inch, wooden planks which adequately defied the efforts of the most determined jailbreakers. The old Adams Express building, located on one of the main corners, and the inevitable I.O.O.F. Hall are also picturesque landmarks of the “days of ’49”.

The surrounding area yielded $90,000,000 in gold. Many of the original buildings were undermined and consequently destroyed as the miners extended their feverish activities into the town inself. Although the St. George Hotel today stands out conspicuously on the edge of town, bordering the river bar, old photos depict it as occupying a location near the center of the community.

One event of interest, prompted by developments which led up to the Civil War, is kept alive in Volcano by an old cannon (known as “Old Abe”) displayed in an inclosure adjoining the Adams Express building. Northerners and southerners were about equally represented in this region. When southern sympathizers organized in order to present a solid front for the furtherance of their cause those with leanings toward the Union did likewise. The latter reinforced their organization by the acquisition of this cannon. Iron cannon balls being all but unobtainable, round boulders were used instead. But the impending trouble did not materialize. Undoubtedly the presence of the cannon had the desired effect and the southern sympathizers allowed discretion to be the better part of valor.

Sutter Creek. This town takes its name from John A. Sutter who, having despaired in his attempt to divert the stream of argonauts from his vast agricultural domain, attempted to recoup his fortunes by also following the call of gold. He mined here for a time but his abilities lay in other

[click to enlarge] Old Adams Express Office. Volcano. See cover photo.

Placer gold was discovered here in 1848 and by the time the gravels were on their way to exhaustion quartz mining came into the picture. It was from the Lincoln mine (originally the Union) here that Leland Stanford, then operating a grocery store in Sacramento, obtained the means which enabled him to join with Huntington, Crocker, and Hopkins in the building of the Central Pacific—first transcontinental line to the Pacific Coast.

Beyond Sutter Creek is Amador City, which dates from the ’50s, Drytown, founded in 1848 and the oldest town in Amador County, and Plymouth, which was originally called Pokerville. These names, like many others, were memorable in their time but today there is little at these points to hold the interest of the visi[t]or for very long.

Five miles east of Plymouth is Fiddletown or Oleta which apparently fascinated Bret Harte, as indicated by his story “An Episode of Fiddletown.” Legend has it that the original name of Fiddletown was applied because of the musical interests and activities of a group of inhabitants. The town had its origin in 1849. Some time after its establishment Oleta apparently appealed to its citizens as being more dignified. This name was adopted in 1878 and is a white man’s derivation of the Indian word meaning “old home spring.” Recently the populace, aware that dignity and local color do not always go hand in hand, again adopted the town’s original name for their community.

Approaching Placerville one passes through El Dorado, originally known as Mud Springs, which was founded in 1848. For many years it served as a business center for the miners of the surrounding area, as indicated by the gaping walls of a once pretentious business block. This structure was built in 1851.

Placerville. Ideally situated at the junction of Highways No. 49 and No. 50 this town, although favored by the march of progress, retains some of the color of its beginnings. In the office of the Chamber of Commerce— also the home of the El Dorado County Historical Society—are some interesting materials relating to this region. It is well worth a visit.

Placerville had its origin in the early part of the summer of 1848. The region of the original gold discovery about Coloma was quickly overrun with miners and later arrivals went farther afield. Among the first to arrive at this point were Perry MaCoon, William Daylor, and a man named Beaner. A rich find was made along what is now Weber Creek. News of this soon spread and a prosperous town soon developed which was originally known by a variety of names— Dry Diggings, Old Dry Diggings, Ravine City, and finally Hangtown. The latter term was applied when, due to its rapid growth, a number of men of ill repute were attracted to the spot. The law abiding citizens, enraged by the boldness of a number of their acts, finally took justice into their own hands in the customary, effective frontier fashion. The more delicate but equally descriptive name of Placerville was adopted as the town’s name in 1850.

The gravels along the nearby creeks and gulches were rich and produced prodigious quantities of gold but the town owes its fame and its present importance to other related features—particularly its geographical situation. It was on the route of the Overland Mail and the Pony Express. Here Phillip Armour operated a butcher shop, a modest start in a career that was destined to flower into the great Chicago packing firm. John Studebaker, a wheelwright by trade, arrived here in 1853. He operated a blacksmith shop and engaged in the manufacture of wheelbarrows which were prized throughout the region because of their sturdy construction. This was the nucleous of his later career which eventually developed into the manufacture of automobiles. Mark Hopkins, the railroad builder for whom the San Francisco hotel is named, also “got his start” here as a grocer. Then there was the famous “snowshoe Thompson” who carried the mail over the Sierra for twelve winters (from 1854) between Placerville and Carson Valley, using skiffs of his own manufacture.

In 1856 a fire ravaged the town but it was soon rebuilt. A number of buildings dating from that period are still in use today. Yes, Placerville is famous in the story of California’s epic gold rush—and justly so. It is a busy, pleasant, and friendly town that wisely cherishes its historic past.

At Kelsey, a few miles from Placerville, is the Marshall Museum.

Coloma. As everyone knows, this town was the “cradle” of the famous California gold rush. January 28, 1848, on the south fork of the American River, James W. Marshall found the first yellow flakes of gold in the tail-race of the sawmill that he was building for John A. Sutter. His find, in spite of efforts to keep it quiet, literally inflamed the world.

The site of Marshall’s discovery

[click to enlarge] Placerville —Wininger Studio

About Sutter’s mill, following the discovery of gold, developed the town of Coloma which was, for a time, the lively center for thousands of miners who flocked to this region. Today it is but a hollow shell of its former importance. Only a few of the early buildings survive and, by and large, the beautiful valley, through which winds the famous American River, presents an appearance which

[click to enlarge] Marshall Monument — Coloma

[click to enlarge] Sutter’s Mill. From Nahi Painting in the State Library —McCurry Photo

Everyone traveling the Mother Lode Highway should visit this town —not only for its historic significance but for its peaceful charm. Coloma seems secure in the realization of the far that it was the nucleus of the entire California gold region, the spot where the great gold rush began.

North of Coloma the region traversed by Highway 49 presents a striking change in its character and appearance. The rolling, grassy hills dotted with venerable oaks, which typify the section south of Placerville, quickly give way to a region severely broken up by deep canyons, and with the slopes clothed with dense evergreen forests—except where the hand of man has cleared portions of the terrain for farms or orchards. The highway alternately climbs to the ridges and descends into the deep canyons, threading its way at times along the steeply inclined canyon walls to such streams as the north fork of the American River, the Bear, and the south, middle, and north forks of the Yuba. Along portions of this section of the route the road is narrow and tortuous and as one proceeds with caution along the winding highway the picturesque ruggedness of this region invariably causes him to speculate upon the hardihood and fortitude of those miners who first penetrated this remote mountain wilderness. In many respects the difficulties presented by the terrain with its heavy forests and tempestuous mountain streams seem almost insurmountable. Yet the possibility of finding gold exerts a powerful influence upon the mind of man and in spite of obstacles this region was penetrated and explored. It yielded some of the richest “finds” of the California gold rush.

[click to enlarge] Marshall’s Cabin — Coloma

[click to enlarge] Auburn — “Old Town”

Auburn. The prosperity of modern Auburn, which occupies a lovely setting in the hills less than twenty miles north of Coloma (on Highway 40, the main motor artery between Sacramento and Reno), is derived from the agricultural wealth of the region as well as from the fact that it is an important railroad center. Its origin dates from May 1848, when Claude Chana, who had been employed by Sutter, discovered gold in a ravine here. Soon thereafter John S. Wood—a former member of Stevenson’s Regiment during the Mexican War—also arrived at this spot. He recognized the possibilities of the rich diggings and sent word to others of his former military companions in the region. With this start the camp grew quickly into a prosperous community, serving as the center for numerous settlements that developed rapidly in the gold bearing areas along the north fork of the American River.

Originally known as North Fork Dry Diggings the name was first changed to Wood’s Dry Diggings, but by the end of 1849 when it had grown from a camp to a town, and a civil government was set up, the name of Auburn was adopted.

Although a dry diggings the gravels along the ravine where the original discoveries were made were so rich that it payed to haul the earth in sacks to water so that the gold could be washed from it. It is reported that $16,000 in gold was recovered from one carload of earth and that for a time the efforts of some miners were rewarded by a daily return of from $800 to $1500. Further, the rich placer deposits held up remarkably well and many miles of flumes were built to transport water to the rich claims in the vicinity. Placer County, of which Auburn is the county seat, produced a total of $75,000,000 in gold.

The original structures of the town were built of logs but these were destroyed by disastrous fires early in the history of this community (1854 and 1859). However, “old town” still occupies a site in the ravine and retains a bit of its original flavor in its

[click to enlarge]

Slightly less than 30 miles east of Auburn, upon a secondary road, one finds Michigan Bluff where Leland Stanford operated his first store in the Mother Lode Country. In this section one finds a number of additional old towns, now pretty much ‘down at heel,” such as Todd Valley and Forest Hill.

From Auburn one can follow Highway 40 east to Donner Summit and Donner Lake, site of the ill-fated Donner Party’s tragic experience during the winter of 1846. In so doing one passes through Gold Run. Along the Bear River in the same general region are the sites of Dutch Flat, Red Dog, and You Bet—all early mining camps of importance during the “days of ’49”.

Grass Valley. The name of this town is not suggestive of its importance as a mining center but it was —and still is—important in that regard.

In 1848 a party of Oregonians, south bound for the gold fields, found a welcome camping spot here— hence the name. In the summer of ’49 placer gold was discovered and about one year later rich deposits of gold bearing quartz were also found. These were greatly developed as mining methods advanced and improved and even today much of the prosperity of the town is based upon its importance as a gold producing center.

Grass Valley is noted for a number of interesting episodes and personalities which date back to the ’50s. By 1854 its status had changed from a camp to a town. Like other towns throughout the region it was swept by fire on several occasions. From the desire to develop a more fire resistant type of architecture was evolved the characteristic heavy masonry walls and iron shutters which soon typified most of the early Mother Lode mining towns. Lola Montez, one time favorite of the King of Bavaria and famous actress and dancer of the time, was attracted to this area. She arrived here in 1853, built a house (which still stands) in which many worldly notables of the period were entertained. Lola’s exploits are legendary in the Grass Valley region. It was she who discovered, fostered, and developed the latent talents of Lotta Crabtree, a local youngster who soon flowered into one of the most famous and popular theatrical personalities of the time. It was here, also, that the career of the famous woman gambler, widely known as “Madame Moustache,” attained its highest level.

In spite of the modern trend toward neon signs, pavements, plate glass store fronts, an aura of the early mining days, as exemplified by the narrow, winding streets and the existence of a number of early structures, still clings to this active but interesting town.

Rough and Ready, a few miles west of Grass Valley, was originally settled and named by a group of men from Wisconsin. This group was known as the Rough and Ready Company, after President Zachary Taylor—hence the name. It was the center of a rich gold bearing area but by the end of the 50s the region was largely worked out, following which the town disintegrated almost as quickly as it had developed. Today there is little evidence about this town to indicate the nature of its former importance.

One of the events in the history of Rough and Ready which seems to be best remembered is the fact that during its heyday a large group of local miners organized in protest to a proposed Federal tax on mining and threatened to secede from the Union.

Continuing west on the road that passes through Rough and Ready one eventually reaches Marysville. This town had its origin in 1850 and because of its location at the junction of the Feather and the Yuba rivers developed rapidly into a supply center for a large and prosperous mining region. North of Marysville lies Oroville (originally Ophir City) which had a rapid development and an equally rapid decline as a mining center. Near this latter town is Bidwell’s Bar, once a prosperous community during the gold rush, as well as the site of many another old gold camp in the rugged and highly scenic Feather River country. One can also continue northward to Weaverville in Trinity County, the center of a contemporary gold rush, but that section is somewhat beyond the scope of this publication and hence its description and interesting history are omitted.

Nevada City. Contrary to what might be imagined this town did not take its name from the State of Nevada. The State did not come into existence until thirteen years after the town had adopted that name. Located on Deer Creek, a tributary of the south fork of the Yuba River and but four miles from Grass Valley, its origin dates back to September of 1849. At that time a Doctor Caldwell erected a store at this point. Originally known as Deer Creek Diggings, the name of the camp was later changed to “Caldwell’s Upper Store.” Since it was centered in a rich gold bearing region it grew rapidly and by July 1850 about 5,000 people lived and worked in and about the location. Little more than six months later it was estimated that from 15,000 to 35,000 people resided within a radius of seven miles. In the spring of 1850, by which time the town had taken on a more permanent character, a local government was established and the name Nevada adopted. The “city” was appended when the State of Nevada was formed.

It was in Nevada City that the rich find of the Comstock Lode was authenticated and formally announced to the world. The result of this discovery near the present Virginia City, Nevada, was to foster a continuation of western mining excitement that has loomed so large in the history of this area.

The country northeast of Nevada City, off Highway 49, is rough, rugged, and accessible only by means of rather mediocre roads. Yet a number of interesting old camps may be found in this area if one has sufficient interest to take the time and trouble to visit them. In this section one finds Sweetland, Cherokee, North Bloomfield (originally termed Humbug), Graniteville, Moore’s Flat, and Bloody Run.

North San Juan is found on Highway 49 sixteen miles north of Nevada City. It had its origin in 1853 and owes its early development to the placer operations in the rich gravels in the. vicinity. When these were worked out hydraulic mining activities became of great importance. Many of the early buildings of this town were constructed of brick and a few still remain in good repair. North San Juan is of particular note in that it served as the central office of one of the first long distance telephone lines in the State. This line extended for a distance of about sixty miles and served a number of mining camps in the region.

Camptonville. A short distance after leaving North San Juan the road descends into the deep canyon of the middle fork cf the Yuba, then once again ascends to the high ridge on the opposite side of that stream and eventually reaches Camptonville. This town lies but a short distance from the main road. It presents an appearance that certainly must be quite different from that of the ’50s when it was the terminus of the road in this region. At that time, all wheeled traffic carrying passengers and supplies to the more remote mining centers farther into the mountains ended at this point. Camptonville then was a busy, active, and lively town. However, in 1859 the road was completed to Downieville and Camptonville began its inevitable decline.

The region is also characterized by the presence of a number of other old mining camp sites such as Bullard’s Bar, Forest, and Alleghany but they are relatively difficult of access on poor roads.

Downieville. This pleasant little community nestles deep in the mountains of the High Sierra at the junction of two branches of the north fork of the Yuba River. It is still an active mining center but its appearance today is a far cry from that during the ’50s when its streets were crowded with many miners from the surrounding region, and stages and freight wagons passed to and from the town in busy regularity. Yet it possesses nostalgic reminders of those days in its narrow main street and the two bridges which span the tempestuous waters of the streams which converge at this point. A number of old structures characterize this town—notably the St. Charles Hotel which was built in 1853, and which miraculously escaped a fire a few years later as well as a number of floods in later years.

While the gulches and creek bottoms in the lower country were being widely prospected and worked numbers of the more adventurous miners pushed farther back into the hills in an effort to search the more remote areas. Among these was Major William Downie and twelve companions who, in November 1849, pushed up the north fork of the Yuba. Arriving at the forks of the stream and faced with the rapid approach of winter they decided to make camp and await the coming of spring. After building log cabins in anticipation of a sojourn of several months they began prospecting in the area in an effort profitably to occupy their time. They were pleasantly surprised to find that the region was rich in gold. By the end of spring “The Forks,” as the camp was originally known, was growing rapidly, for news of the rich strike had spread to outlying regions as soon as trails into the remote wilderness had become passable. By June, 1850, about 5,000 people had established themselves here and the town’s name was changed to Downieville. An indication of the richness of the area is the story that one claim but sixty feet square yielded $80,000 in gold during the first six months that it was worked.

Downieville, like many of the other early towns of the California gold rush, was not without its episodes of lawlessness. The most famous of these cases was the lynching of Juanita, a Mexican dance hall girl, in 1851 after she had resisted the advances of and fatally stabbed a well known local gambler.

Highway 49 continues east from Downieville to Sierra City and its terminus with its junction with Highway 89, by means of which one may travel south toward Lake Tahoe and the main cross-state route (No. 40) near Donner Pass.

Many of the trails originally traveled by miners during that period in California history known generally as the “days of ’49” are now highways—many of them main line trunk roads over which thousands of people shuttle rapidly from place to place in this region. This epic chapter of American history is rapidly receding ever farther into the distant past but its effect upon the region will remain ever inscribed in memory as a foundation for the present nature of this area’s prosperity. The following list of references will enable one to dig deeper into the rich historical background of the California gold country to unearth rich gems of humor, pathos, tales of sacrifice and fortitude which form a background for the present.

[click to enlarge] Downieville

Next: References • Contents • Previous: Famous Names

http://www.yosemite.ca.us/library/mother_lode_country/significant_towns.html