Volume 026-1 - January 1972 (6 pages)

Our historical heritage is rapidly being diminished by the ravages of timc, man-made changes and the elements. By pausingand occasionally looking back a hundred years, some direction for the future may be realized in halting the stamp of progress that is destroying the monuments of our past. In 1872, mining was Nevada County’s chief economy. In Grass Valley, the Idaho mine, later to be consolidated with the Maryland, stood first among the many producers. The Empire, recovering from a fire which took its mill and hoisting works, suffered a loss of $40,000. Dividends were still being paid by the North Star and the Eureka, but both lay idle by 1880. In Nevada City, the Providence Mine on the South side of Deer Creek, below the present Seven Hills School, stood first in gold production. It was owned by R. C. and Austin Walrath, the later, becoming our State Representative in 1883, and Senator in 1887. Walrath Ave. near Miner’s Hospital is named in his memory. Omega, in Washington township, was the liveliest of the mining camps, and in Rough and Ready, some old 49’er diggings were rediscovered, and large amounts of coarse gold taken from them. An English Company had purchased the Little York Gravel Mining Co, and in washing ground, forced the people of You Bet to move their town. The mines of Bloomfield township probably advanced more rapidly than any other due to the peak of hydraulic mining. At Malakoff and Bloomfield, buildings were being erected as the population increased. The North Bloomfield Gravel Mining Company was doing extensive work along the line of its bedrock tunnel by sinking eight shafts and tunneling between them. Bowman dam which had burned in 1871, was being rebuilt into a larger reservoir, and ditches leading from it were on the planning board for the hydraulic mines of the San Juan ridge. 2. In fLureka township, the claims at Moore’s and Woolsey’s Flats yeilded handsome profits, and at Graniteville, capitalists were beginning to take hold of the Erie, the Rising Star mines, and those of the Gaston Ridge. Mining gave great promise in the year of 1872, however, there were problems. The most controversial issue of that day was the introduction of Giant powder into the mines, causinga play for power between management and miners. The main events of the year included plans for building a Nevada County railroad to connect with the Central Pacific’s recently completed line, and the visit of California’s Governor Newton Booth, who gave the Fourth of July oration in the Nevada Theater, Truly, in 1872 was a memorable year, and in looking back, one may enjoy a glimpse of this exciting and adventurous period of time. THE KATE GREENAWAY FASHIONS FOR CHILDREN BEGAN IN 1871 AND WERE STYLISH IN 1872. PROVIDENCE MINE NEVADA CITY'S LEADING GOLD PRODUCER IN 1872 Located in the South side of Deer Creek below the present Seven Hills School CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF EVENTS IN NEVADA COUNTY FOR 1872 JANUARY: Roadside Inn known as ‘‘Dead Fall House’? below French Corral, cloud burst and carried across road. Twenty-five men employed by North Bloomfield Gravel and Mining Co. to enlarge dam at Bowman’s. North San Juan held lottery for Benevolent Society. James Whartenby resigned as President of South Yuba Canal Co. Charles Marsh takes his place. Storehouses at Colfax crowded with freight for Grass Valley and Nevada City. Two stages to Colfax; John Major’s and Telegraph Stage Co. Badger Hill mined at greater depth by 200 foot tunnel. American Co, of Sebastopol tries new Diamond Drill. 1855 brick house, which later became a public school, corner of high and Nevada Streets, Nevada City, purchased by Harrison Gove for brick. To be torn down for Episcopal Church. Minister De Long and Japanese Embassadors, numbering one hundred twenty, dined at Truckee. Visited Donner Lake which was frozen over. Japanese Dignitaries arrived in Grass Valley. Wined and dined by mining men, turned out to be Juggler Troupe on way to San Francisco from Virginia City!

Our historical heritage is rapidly being diminished by the ravages of timc, man-made changes and the elements. By pausingand occasionally looking back a hundred years, some direction for the future may be realized in halting the stamp of progress that is destroying the monuments of our past. In 1872, mining was Nevada County’s chief economy. In Grass Valley, the Idaho mine, later to be consolidated with the Maryland, stood first among the many producers. The Empire, recovering from a fire which took its mill and hoisting works, suffered a loss of $40,000. Dividends were still being paid by the North Star and the Eureka, but both lay idle by 1880. In Nevada City, the Providence Mine on the South side of Deer Creek, below the present Seven Hills School, stood first in gold production. It was owned by R. C. and Austin Walrath, the later, becoming our State Representative in 1883, and Senator in 1887. Walrath Ave. near Miner’s Hospital is named in his memory. Omega, in Washington township, was the liveliest of the mining camps, and in Rough and Ready, some old 49’er diggings were rediscovered, and large amounts of coarse gold taken from them. An English Company had purchased the Little York Gravel Mining Co, and in washing ground, forced the people of You Bet to move their town. The mines of Bloomfield township probably advanced more rapidly than any other due to the peak of hydraulic mining. At Malakoff and Bloomfield, buildings were being erected as the population increased. The North Bloomfield Gravel Mining Company was doing extensive work along the line of its bedrock tunnel by sinking eight shafts and tunneling between them. Bowman dam which had burned in 1871, was being rebuilt into a larger reservoir, and ditches leading from it were on the planning board for the hydraulic mines of the San Juan ridge. 2.

In fLureka township, the claims at Moore’s and Woolsey’s Flats yeilded handsome profits, and at Graniteville, capitalists were beginning to take hold of the Erie, the Rising Star mines, and those of the Gaston Ridge. Mining gave great promise in the year of 1872, however, there were problems. The most controversial issue of that day was the introduction of Giant powder into the mines, causinga play for power between management and miners. The main events of the year included plans for building a Nevada County railroad to connect with the Central Pacific’s recently completed line, and the visit of California’s Governor Newton Booth, who gave the Fourth of July oration in the Nevada Theater, Truly, in 1872 was a memorable year, and in looking back, one may enjoy a glimpse of this exciting and adventurous period of time. THE KATE GREENAWAY FASHIONS FOR CHILDREN BEGAN IN 1871 AND WERE STYLISH IN 1872. PROVIDENCE MINE NEVADA CITY'S LEADING GOLD PRODUCER IN 1872 Located in the South side of Deer Creek below the present Seven Hills School CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF EVENTS IN NEVADA COUNTY FOR 1872 JANUARY: Roadside Inn known as ‘‘Dead Fall House’? below French Corral, cloud burst and carried across road. Twenty-five men employed by North Bloomfield Gravel and Mining Co. to enlarge dam at Bowman’s. North San Juan held lottery for Benevolent Society. James Whartenby resigned as President of South Yuba Canal Co. Charles Marsh takes his place. Storehouses at Colfax crowded with freight for Grass Valley and Nevada City. Two stages to Colfax; John Major’s and Telegraph Stage Co. Badger Hill mined at greater depth by 200 foot tunnel. American Co, of Sebastopol tries new Diamond Drill. 1855 brick house, which later became a public school, corner of high and Nevada Streets, Nevada City, purchased by Harrison Gove for brick. To be torn down for Episcopal Church. Minister De Long and Japanese Embassadors, numbering one hundred twenty, dined at Truckee. Visited Donner Lake which was frozen over. Japanese Dignitaries arrived in Grass Valley. Wined and dined by mining men, turned out to be Juggler Troupe on way to San Francisco from Virginia City!