THE EMPIRE & THE EMPIRE COTTAGE

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.

See you down the trail.

UP TO DOWNIEVILLE

THE NORTHERN MOTHER LODE

      Back in the gold rush days, Downieville was so tough to get to a wool shirt cost $50. The trail was so impassible the taverns in the mining camp town never had mirrors.

After gold was discovered at a north fork of the Yuba river, Major William Downie led a party up the canyon to set up a camp.

By mid 1850 some 5000 miners had made it up to the camp. It was then named for its founder. Today Downieville is  the seat of Sierra County. 

Some 300  people call Downieville home. Many of the buildings date to the Gold Rush.

The town straddles the Yuba and is at about 3000 feet in the Sierra in the area of the Tahoe National Forest.
The bridge is one lane.

The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church was built in 1858.

The steeple, visible below, is from the Protestant Church built in 1855.  It is the oldest Protestant Church in California still in use.

Like so much of the town, the school is also built on a slope.

Gold Rush era buildings, the rugged setting and raging river give Downieville a frontier feel.

About 50 miles north of Nevada City and Grass Valley, Downieville still requires a little effort to get to.
The mountain road twists and curves through pine forest and along the roaring Yuba River that once gave up gold.
Some still look for more.

See you down the trail.

THE CAPITOL UP CLOSE

"OFFICIAL" CALIFORNIANS NOW

        It's hard to figure.  I've covered major events in the US Congress, spent endless hours in the Indiana State House, have been in State Houses before as well as numerous federal buildings, but even after all these years I am still thrilled, moved even, to be in a building dedicated to the transaction of the people's business. The State House in Sacramento did it to me as well.

It is a magnificent building.  

History hides in the shadows.

You have to wonder why the behavior is not always as grand as the chambers.

The Capitol in Sacramento was constructed from 1860 to 1874 and has been well maintained.

The Capitol is bounded by a beautiful park and memorial grounds.

Silly maybe, but we feel like we really are Californians now that we have stepped into a place of history.
Coming up-Gold Country.

See you down the trail.