A GOLDEN STORY AND A WILD STORY

DOWN MEMORY LANE

   This is an abandoned stretch of the famous Pacific Coast Highway-California Highway 1. It is an appropriate icon for this holiday season post. From the archive we remember the fascinating story of THE California gold mine. This was first posted in 2011.

THE EMPIRE

      The Empire Mine, outside Grass Valley, is the oldest, richest, hardrock gold mine in California.  This is where the miners started to work, the main shaft that led to more than 367 miles of underground passages.

      Today it is a state historic site and permits everyone

behind a gate, that separated world of the miner and the mine owners.

      The hard work of the mining was done primarily by Cornish miners.  Over the years 5,800,000 ounces of gold was extracted from the Empire.

       When the mine closed in 1956, the incline depth was more than 11,000 feet.  The hundreds of miles of underground shafts and caverns were fully electrified and pumps ran continuously to empty the water.  It was a massive operation and much of the equipment used in the extraordinary undertaking now basks in the California sun retired to the mine yard. It is a kind of "mechanical art."

Today, most of the mine is full of water.

There is a blacksmith shop, still in partial operation

What is also extraordinary is what sits away from the work of the mine

Down the path is the "cottage" and "club house" of William Bourn Jr. who inherited the Empire from his father in 1877.

He had schooled in England so his "cottage and club house" reflect English style.

There is a reflecting pool

A clubhouse was built for the pleasure of the Bourns and their guests, one of whom was Herbert Hoover.

The wing to the right is an indoor squash court.

There is also a bowling alley, guest rooms and a ballroom.

The walls and floor are California redwood. 

The billiard table remains, but has been covered.

each of the light fixtures is a hand crafted design of what is apparently squirrels.

The grounds also included a tennis court and a badminton and croquet green.

Apparently the miners were allowed beyond the gate and onto the green, once a year for a Miner's Picnic.

The state of California purchased the Empire surface property in 1975 for $1,250,000.  The park covers 800 acres including 750 acres of forest.

The mineral rights remain with the Newmont Mining Corporation who bought the mine from Bourn in 1929.

Some estimates claim that 80% of the gold from the Empire remain in the ground.

If you get to Grass Valley or environs, the Empire is a great visit.

WILD

    If you read Cheryl Strayed's book, WILD, you know the emotional ride you are in for when seeing the film. People are suggesting Oscar nomination for Reese Witherspoon in her portrayal of Ms. Strayed who seeks to put her troubled life back in order by undertaking the enormous challenge of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. She is marvelous. So too is Laura Dern, as her beloved but all too soon late Mother.

   If you are inclined to weep, as several folks sitting by were, this is a film that may turn on the tears, but it also a journey, both in beautiful scenery and inwardly. It is quite a trip and quite an understanding.  People are right when they say this is an important film.

See you down the trail.

TOWNS OF THE MOTHER LODE HIGHWAY & REEL THOUGHTS

AUBURN,MOKELUMNE HILL,ANGELS CAMP,

MURPHYS, COLUMBIA, SONORA

         (On the road on Highway 49) The Mother Lode Highway, California 49, is some 325 miles of history.  It is a road that traces the gold rush and winds between what were once miner's camps and are now bustling towns or remains of an historic era. 

         Highway 49 crosses Pine clad mountain passes with steep grades and curves and rolls through gentle green valleys, river gorges, rolling pastures and peaceful foothills.

         Here are a collection of scenes of the Mother Lode, beyond Sutter's Creek, where gold was first discovered.  Along the way are historic echos, vibrant new energy and memorable outcroppings of history.

The rebuilt Sutter's Mill, where the rush began

when gold flecks were spotted in this creek   

The Court House in Auburn was built in 1898.

Fire houses were prominent.

Some mining tools are now,

as public sculpture.

Today it is a scene of relics, but once Mokelumne Hill was a big camp with big problems.

The miners were ethnically diverse and there were race problems.

 

 During a 17 week period there was at least one murder a week.  Today much of the town is a memory

Mark Twain and Bret Harte gathered stories in Angels Camp.

Today a busy town survives.

A common sight in most Mother Lode towns 

is church steeples

Signs of the Mother Lode

 Murphy's has improved on the street scenes

with a shamrock

 Old buildings and sidewalks face cars, where once there were horses and mules

 Hotels that hosted in the 1850's remain in business

So do the bars 

With some improvement in plumbing
though barely "modern."

 When a small group of miners found 5 pounds of gold nuggets in Columbia the camp swelled to 2,000 in 30 days and a town was created.  After a devastating fire, it was rebuilt in brick and the town remains as an historic park.

The hotel remains open

 as does the bar.

 The grocery is open and well stocked

 and the blacksmith wears a gun

 After the rush, as towns prospered, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows built impressive buildings on main street. They still stand, some in better shape than others.

Sonora was called the queen of the Southern Mines

and was biggest and wildest town of the southern Mother Lode. Today, the High School is a reminder of the age of elegance.

 Then there is Jack Ass Hill.

It is one of my favorite spots in the southern Mother Lode.

It was here, in this cabin, that Samuel Clements, before he was Mark Twain, camped and hung out with a group of friends.  During the stay he gathered information and stories that became part of his path to fame. The story is he first heard the tale of the jumping frog of Calavaras County up here on Jack Ass Hill.

       Today, you see a lot of frogs in the area

As I noted in another post, it is good to see that

Chinese workers, who were instrumental to building the railroads, are also recognized.

In the Mother Lode country of California history and the 21st Century flow in confluence

Cheers to the old west!

REEL THOUGHTS

       WATER FOR ELEPHANTS

                  Stays true to the book, which we found to be an entertaining read and story.  The film brings it to life, nicely. The interesting tale, set amidst the color and atmosphere of the circus, in that time of history, makes it an enjoyable film. And, you may fall in love with the elephant.

          I AM

                 This is one of those films you "want everyone to see," realizing some get it and some will wonder, what the heck was that all about?  Actually in the case of I AM it is pretty clear.

                 This is and can be a transformational film, if you take it to heart.  Like  WHAT THE #@&*bleep DO WE KNOW,

this film goes to the essence of humanity and what it means to live. It is deep of course, but immensely entertaining and quite moving. Tom Shadyac is one of my new heroes and has done an important and genre shattering work.

See you down the trail.