Destination Nevada County

Nevada City - A Great Place to Call Home
When I moved from Humboldt County
to Nevada City in 1977, my first job was
that of night bartender at the National
Hotel—walking the plank Wednesdays
through Sundays.
In those days the hotel was the hub of
community social life, so I quickly met
the men and women for whom bronze
plaques have since been dedicated and in
whose name community awards are now
presented annually.
I am proud to have been recipient of
both the Elza Kilroy and Col. William
Lambert awards for community service,
but I am even prouder to say that I knew
them. When I arrived in Nevada City
forty years ago, Elza, Bill and other “oldtimers”
immediately treated me as a
member of the community. I was never
made to feel like a stranger in a strange
land.
And when the Nevada City Chamber of
Commerce presents the Dr. Leland and
Sally Lewis awards for performing and
By Steve Cottrell
Nevada City- A Great Place to Call Home
Former Nevada City Mayor
Nevada City Chamber of Commerce
visual art each January, along with the
Lon Cooper Award for new construction,
I smile, recalling Doc Lewis sitting at
the National Hotel bar spinning tales,
Sally lobbying me for one worthy cause
or another, and the year I spent on the
city planning commission when Lon was
chairman.
The men and women I met after settling
in Nevada City helped me realize that the
town’s greatest assets are not its buildings,
its gaslights, nor even its amazing 19th
century history. Those elements are
certainly important, but Nevada City’s
greatest assets are its people and its
strong sense of community.
Only in a town like Nevada City could
a guy run for city council while listing
bartender as his occupation—as I did in
1992—and get elected. Four times.
I was honored to spend 16 years on the
city council, including 2006/07 as mayor,
and am humbled knowing that my name
appears on two bronze plaques at City
Hall. But if someone had told me in 1977
that thirty years later I would be mayor,
I would have fallen off my barstool
laughing.
Long-time residents and newcomers
together represent a wide spectrum of
interests and perspectives. Their city’s
small-town qualities, character and sense
of community are clear. As someone once
said, beyond all the wonderful things in
and all around Nevada City, the best part
is that “there is still a ‘there’ here.”
Nevada City is a 19th century gem
prospering in the 21st century. It is, in the
words of longtime Nevada City Chamber
of Commerce executive director Cathy
Whittlesey, “The greatest little town in
the known universe.”
For more information about Nevada
City, events and visitor information,
contact the Nevada City Chamber of
Commerce, 132 Main St., Nevada City,
CA 95959, (530) 265-2692.
DESTINATION Nevada County 109