Volume 003-3 - January 1950 (2 pages)

January, 1950 The newly elected officers-of the Nevada County Historical Society for 1950 will announce the January meeting in the local newspapers. Centennial Edition 100 Vears Ago in Nevada County Nevada County Became a Part of Yuba County, February 18, 1850 When the state was originally divided into twenty-seven counties by the Legislature of 1850, this region was just being prospected, and the great wealth that lay buried in its auriferous hills was scarcely dreamed of, even by the few hundreds that were scraping the surfaces of the ravines. There were a few small mining camps in the mountains, at this time, but the valleys had founded numerous cities, and Marysville became the county seat of Yuba County, which embraced all of Nevada, Sierra and a portion of Placer Counties. Nevada City’s First Government and Official Naming, March 185° The collection of tents, brush shanties and a very few board houses began to assume the appearance of a town. The people recognized the fact that a government was necessary, and as the new courts -had not yet opened their doors, the election of an Alcalde, a judicial officer under the Mexican laws, was determined upon. At this election some 250 votes were cast, and Mr. Stamps was elected Alcalde. A better and more stable name was desireu for the growing town, and a meeting of leading citizens was called at the store of Truex and Blackman, for the purpose of selecting one that would suit all parties and be a credit to the place. Among the names presented were Sierra, Aurora, Nevada, Deer Creek and Gold Run. _ The name selected was suggested by O. P. Blackman, and the little town was christened Nevada. Indians Attack Holt’s Sawmill, May, 1850 Nevada County’s first sawmills built in November, 1849, by Samuel and George Holt, James Walsh and Zenas Wheeler, were attacked by Indians on May 3, 1850. Samuel Holt was killed. The soldiers stationed at Camp Far West Settlement of Eureka Eureka Township which occupies the most northern portion of Nevada County is one of the original townships. It extends to the summit, and lies for months under a deep covering of snow. Eureka South was first settled in the spring of 1850 when mining was done in the ravines, and derived its name from under Major Day were called upon to subdue the Indian uprising. General Thomas J. Green, of the California Militia made a treaty with the Indians on May 25, 1850. South, Spring, 1850 the township. It is now known as Graniteville. At first, little water could be obtained except during the winter season. and the result was that a population o over 600 at that time would dwindle down to 200 in the summer. The reason for the large number of miners at this point was the fact that the diggings were shallow and required little capital to work them. First Discovery of Quartz at Grass Valley, June, 1850 The first discovery of gold quartz in California was made on Gold Hill in Grass Valley, in June, 1850, but no excitement was produced and little attention was paid to it. A few days later a ledge was discovered on Massachusetts Hill, but this also failed to attract attention. In October of thesame year, a man named McKnight, who had come from Newtown and camped on the summit of Gold Hill discovered the Gold Hill ledge, which cropped out at a place called the “elbow” displaying an average width of two feet. This discovery set the miners wild and thousands flocked to the spot and filled the hills with prospectors. Committee of Justice Appointed in Rough and Ready Summer, 1850 All are familiar with the magical growth of California mining localities in the summer of 1850—Rough and Ready had a population of nearly 500, and increasing so rapidly it became necessary to have some kind of government to maintain order. A mass meeting of citizens was called, and a committee of three chosen to administer justice in the community. Under their direction the town was laid out and lots apportioned to the people. First Church in Nevada City, Summer, 1850 In the summer of 1850, Mr. Stamps, Alcalde of the town, and Mr. Lamden, an ex-minister, were chiefly instrumental in the building of a small shake church, the first house of worship in the city, on the lot at the corner of Main and Washington Streets. The house was made by nailing shakes upon posts driven into the ground and had no shutters to the doors or windows. The hill retained its natural shape, leaving the floor, or rather ground of the church somewhat uneven. The house was built by subscription for the accommodation of the various denominations represented in the city. Methodist Episcopal Church Organized in Nevada City August, 1850 Reverend Isaac Owen of Sacramento organized the Methodist Episcopal Church, Reverend C. A. Leaman and Reverend R. R. Dunlap were the local preachers. One First Church in Rough A temporary church organization, called ‘’1e Christian association, was effected, composed of members of various denominations. The society had about cighty members, and preachers of the different denominations occupied the pulpit at varthousand dollars were secured by Reverend Isaac Owen for the new house of worship. The hill on Broad Street where the Pioneer Cemetery is now located was chosen. and Ready, Fall, 1850 jous times. A building a little east of town was purchased for $800. It was nothing but a rough shed, 18x25 feet. and had no shutters for the doors und windows, hothing but the bare ground for a fleor, and a few rough whiskey kegs for seats.

January, 1950 The newly elected officers-of the Nevada County Historical Society for 1950 will announce the January meeting in the local newspapers. Centennial Edition 100 Vears Ago in Nevada County Nevada County Became a Part of Yuba County, February 18, 1850 When the state was originally divided into twenty-seven counties by the Legislature of 1850, this region was just being prospected, and the great wealth that lay buried in its auriferous hills was scarcely dreamed of, even by the few hundreds that were scraping the surfaces of the ravines. There were a few small mining camps in the mountains, at this time, but the valleys had founded numerous cities, and Marysville became the county seat of Yuba County, which embraced all of Nevada, Sierra and a portion of Placer Counties. Nevada City’s First Government and Official Naming, March 185° The collection of tents, brush shanties and a very few board houses began to assume the appearance of a town. The people recognized the fact that a government was necessary, and as the new courts -had not yet opened their doors, the election of an Alcalde, a judicial officer under the Mexican laws, was determined upon. At this election some 250 votes were cast, and Mr. Stamps was elected Alcalde. A better and more stable name was desireu for the growing town, and a meeting of leading citizens was called at the store of Truex and Blackman, for the purpose of selecting one that would suit all parties and be a credit to the place. Among the names presented were Sierra, Aurora, Nevada, Deer Creek and Gold Run. _ The name selected was suggested by O. P. Blackman, and the little town was christened Nevada. Indians Attack Holt’s Sawmill, May, 1850 Nevada County’s first sawmills built in November, 1849, by Samuel and George Holt, James Walsh and Zenas Wheeler, were attacked by Indians on May 3, 1850. Samuel Holt was killed. The soldiers stationed at Camp Far West Settlement of Eureka Eureka Township which occupies the most northern portion of Nevada County is one of the original townships. It extends to the summit, and lies for months under a deep covering of snow. Eureka South was first settled in the spring of 1850 when mining was done in the ravines, and derived its name from under Major Day were called upon to subdue the Indian uprising. General Thomas J. Green, of the California Militia made a treaty with the Indians on May 25, 1850. South, Spring, 1850 the township. It is now known as Graniteville. At first, little water could be obtained except during the winter season. and the result was that a population o over 600 at that time would dwindle down to 200 in the summer. The reason for the large number of miners at this point was the fact that the diggings were shallow

and required little capital to work them. First Discovery of Quartz at Grass Valley, June, 1850 The first discovery of gold quartz in California was made on Gold Hill in Grass Valley, in June, 1850, but no excitement was produced and little attention was paid to it. A few days later a ledge was discovered on Massachusetts Hill, but this also failed to attract attention. In October of thesame year, a man named McKnight, who had come from Newtown and camped on the summit of Gold Hill discovered the Gold Hill ledge, which cropped out at a place called the “elbow” displaying an average width of two feet. This discovery set the miners wild and thousands flocked to the spot and filled the hills with prospectors. Committee of Justice Appointed in Rough and Ready Summer, 1850 All are familiar with the magical growth of California mining localities in the summer of 1850—Rough and Ready had a population of nearly 500, and increasing so rapidly it became necessary to have some kind of government to maintain order. A mass meeting of citizens was called, and a committee of three chosen to administer justice in the community. Under their direction the town was laid out and lots apportioned to the people. First Church in Nevada City, Summer, 1850 In the summer of 1850, Mr. Stamps, Alcalde of the town, and Mr. Lamden, an ex-minister, were chiefly instrumental in the building of a small shake church, the first house of worship in the city, on the lot at the corner of Main and Washington Streets. The house was made by nailing shakes upon posts driven into the ground and had no shutters to the doors or windows. The hill retained its natural shape, leaving the floor, or rather ground of the church somewhat uneven. The house was built by subscription for the accommodation of the various denominations represented in the city. Methodist Episcopal Church Organized in Nevada City August, 1850 Reverend Isaac Owen of Sacramento organized the Methodist Episcopal Church, Reverend C. A. Leaman and Reverend R. R. Dunlap were the local preachers. One First Church in Rough A temporary church organization, called ‘’1e Christian association, was effected, composed of members of various denominations. The society had about cighty members, and preachers of the different denominations occupied the pulpit at varthousand dollars were secured by Reverend Isaac Owen for the new house of worship. The hill on Broad Street where the Pioneer Cemetery is now located was chosen. and Ready, Fall, 1850 jous times. A building a little east of town was purchased for $800. It was nothing but a rough shed, 18x25 feet. and had no shutters for the doors und windows, hothing but the bare ground for a fleor, and a few rough whiskey kegs for seats.