2020-2021_Nevada County Gold

Enjoy
Sierra
County
SIERRA COUNTY IS
LOCATED in the heart of
the northern Sierra
Nevada and features two quite
different regions divided by the
Pacific Crest. The western part
of the county is mountainous
and forested. The east side is
dominated at 5,000 feet by one
of the largest sub-alpine valleys in
North America. Sierra County is
known for its beauty and wildlife. For
example, it has one of the longest wildflower
seasons in California. Visitors to
Sierra County can take scenic highways to
old mining camps, century old cattle
ranches, wetlands, snowy peaks, waterfalls,
fall foliage and panoramic views.
Along the county’s southern border are
the towns of Alleghany, Forest City and
Goodyears Bar. At the confluence of the
Downie River and North Fork of the Yuba
River is Downieville. Nearby is Sierra City
and Bassetts Station, which is the gateway
to the Lakes Basin Recreation Area
and Sierra Buttes. On the eastern side of
the county are the towns of Calpine,
Sierraville, Sattley, and Loyalton.
Sierra County is easily reached from
Nevada County. Take Hwy. 49 from
Nevada City and Hwy. 89 from Truckee.
Visit for a day or linger longer. Overnight
visitors will discover a variety of accommodations
from rustic campgrounds to
comfortable historic buildings.
HISTORY
Established in 1852, Sierra County’s
history dates back to the time when
Maidu and Washoe Indians lived in the
area. More recently it was part of the
Gold Rush. The discovery of gold brought
16,000 miners to the county between 1848
and 1860. One interesting relic from the
past, the Sheriff’s Gallows, still stands
beside the county courthouse in
Downieville. The Sierra Valley was settled
in the 1850s and ranches provided
supplies for miners. There was also a
lumber industry. For more, go to
sierracountyhistory.org.
INSET PHOTO: SIERRA COUNTRY STORE, SIERRA CITY, ANDREW WRIGHT / LIGHTHAWKPHOTO
SIERRA BUTTES PHOTO BY GEORGE LAMSON
Museums / Historical Park
DOWNIEVILLE MUSEUM: Main Street.
Collections depict life from the Gold Rush
days to the present. Building dates from
1852. Open daily from Memorial Day
through Labor Day 11:00 am–4:00 pm.
KENTUCKY MINE & MUSEUM: Hwy. 49
east of Sierra City. Historical Park tours
include entrance to original gold mine
and demonstration of a working ore
crushing stamp mill. Mining museum,
picnic facilities. Open seven days a week
Memorial Day through Labor Day 10:00
am–4:00 pm. (530) 862-1310;
sierracountyhistory.org
MILTON GOTTARDI LOYALTON
MUSEUM: 605 School St. Antique hearse,
Indian artifacts, genealogy information,
Main Street exhibit, historic classroom.
Open Memorial Day to the end of
September and holidays, Thursday–
Sunday Noon–4:00 pm. Also year around
by appointment. Call (530) 993-6750.
Sierra Buttes
Start your visit
with a stop at:
SIERRA COUNTY CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE
(800) 200-4949
sierracountychamber.com
EAST SIERRA VALLEY CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE
eastsierravalleychamber.com
(530) 993-4387
VISITOR INFORMATION:
Chamber Websites
VISITOR BOOTHS:
Downieville, Sierra City,
Sierraville, Loyalton
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