Destination Nevada County

My grandfather, Al Tucker, was a retired
Air Force, airline and corporate pilot who
first discovered the beauty of the Sierra
Foothills while flying overhead on one of
his many trips. He, along, with my Uncle
Jerry and my dad Jim, fell in love with the
Sierra Foothills. The land, with its natural
beauty, natural resources, abundance of
trees and unique location, beckoned my
family as it did many who have occupied
the land near Forest Springs in Grass
Valley throughout its history.
My grandfather bought the property
in the 1960’s. His dream was to build a
mobilehome community where age 55+
residents would choose to move, enjoy
their Golden Years and be part of a
community.
Along with the land came a history of
dreams, and many did not have a happy
ending. Early settlers had clashes with
the indigenous natives and there’s a
legacy of exalted 1920’s extravagance and
loss. The succession of inhabitants of the
Forest Springs area has woven a dramatic
thread through the tapestry of Nevada
County’s history.
Built on a Dream
By Robb Tucker
And it’s truly fascinating history! It was
remarkable to learn that two of the three
earliest sawmills erected in Grass Valley
were on the land surrounding what is
now Forest Springs Mobilehome Park.
The Nevada County Historical Society
Bulletin, volume 43, No. 3 published
in July of 1989 includes a narrative by
A.A.Sargent from his book “Sketch of
Nevada County” that is considered the
earliest and most accurate account of
the two sawmills located on Indian
Mountain Ranch near Forest Springs.
“Early in November of 1849, Samuel and
George Holt and James Walsh came with
wagons, tools, machinery etc., to a place
about four miles below Grass Valley for
the purpose of erecting two sawmillsthe
one by Messrs. Holt a watermill, and
Judge Walsh’s a steam mill. Mr. Zenas
Wheeler was of the party and two others.
The Holts finished their mill in March
1850, and were sawing lumber on the 3rd
of May. While working in the mill, they
were attacked by Indians, of whom there
were a great many in the vicinity.”
By all accounts, pandemonium ensued.
Samuel, the elder Holt was pierced by
arrows and died instantly. With only a
pocketknife, George, the younger Holt
fought off eight to ten Indians, up the
hill between the two mills, and bleeding,
wounded in 13 places fell into the arm
of Judge Walsh. The Indians raised all
manner of threat to Judge Walsh’s camp,
lit fires in the surrounding hills and set up
an “indescribable” howling throughout
the night. But the occupants of the camp
were armed with U.S muskets and a dog
named Brutus. Brutus joined the fight
and according to Sargent, “Brutus, for his
courage and watchfulness was worth five
soldiers.” The Judge prevailed, George
the younger Holt survived, but in July of
1850 Judge Walsh closed his sawmill on
Indian Mountain Ranch and opened a
mill on Mill Street in Grass Valley.
In the mid-1920’s the beauty of Nevada
County captured the hearts of San
Franciscans Harold W. Robinson and his
wife Edna “Lady” Jane. They acquired
Indian Mountain Ranch, thinking it the
perfect site on which to build their dream.
On the vast acreage, they chose a hilltop
amid a natural setting of pines and oaks
DESTINATION Nevada County 133