Our journey along Historic Highway 49, in the western Sierra Madre foothills got off to a great start last week in Nevada City. Today, we are exploring neighboring Grass Valley. No trip to the Gold Country would be complete without a visit to the Empire Mine State Historic Park. The Empire Mine was once California's richest gold-producing mine.
From 1850 to its closing in 1956, it produced 5.8 million ounces of gold. The Park contains many of the original mine buildings, the owners cottage and the restored gardens and grounds.
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| Mining Office and Refinery Room (at right). |
The Park continues to draw thousands of worldwide visitors
each year and is noted for its historical tours of the Bourn Cottage, the mine
yard and "living history" events. The 856-acre park offers
scenic walking trails.
Empire Mine State Historical grounds are available by reservation for weddings.
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| The Bourn Cottage. Wedding plans being made by young lady (center) with Park Employee (right). |
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| Mine entrance. |
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| Club House |
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| Decorative Pottery at entrance to the Bourn Cottage. |
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| Bourn Cottage entrance. |
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| Bourn Cottage dining room. |
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| Entrance to the gardens at Bourn Cottage. |
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| Gift Shop |
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On our way to the Yuba River State Park we stopped by the Back Porch Market
for these two fantastic sandwiches. Chicken & Vegetarian on Ciabatta rolls. |
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| Yuba River State Park. Great 'swimming hole' for summer! Made an excellent picnic spot. |
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| Photo courtesy of yubanet.com |
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| Green hills along Hwy. 49 |
That's it for Part I. In Part II we will explore historic downtown Grass Valley.
Caio for now.
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