2019-2020 Nevada County Gold Digital Edition

S O U T H Y U B A R I V E R S T A T E P A R K / B R I D G E P O R T / R O U G H & R E A D Y
HISTORY, RECREATION, EVENTS
SOUTH YUBA RIVER
STATE PARK
The park is a patchwork of sites on a 20 mile
stretch of the river including scenic vistas and
the steep rugged canyon of the South Yuba.
There are hiking trails, and opportunities for
swimming, fishing and mountain biking.
Hikers have a choice of trails from easy to
strenuous. Along the length of the park are
several architecturally different bridges. For
information and directions to some of the
trails, go to parks.ca.gov, Find a Park. Follow
directions to South Yuba and under Related
Pages hit hiking.
ROUGH AND READY
Located five miles from Grass Valley, Rough
and Ready was established in 1849 and
quickly grew to a town of 3,000. The area
was settled by a group of miners led by a
captain who had served under “Old Rough
and Ready” Zachary Taylor, hence the name.
As the story goes, a mining tax, along with
a lack of law and order resulted in a decision
by the town to secede from the Union in
April of 1850. The result was formation of
the Great Republic of Rough and Ready. It
didn’t last long for when the Fourth of July
rolled around, Old Glory went back up the
flag pole.
Visitors to this small community will find the
Fippin Blacksmith Shop which dates from
1849 and the Grange Hall. It was built in
1851 and rebuilt after a fire in 1853. Dating
from the Gold Rush days, the local cemetery
is a few hundred yards up Stagecoach Way.
The oldest headstone bears the date 1855.
Event
SUCCESSION DAYS/CHILI COOK-OFF: The first
Sunday in June 2020. Breakfast, musical
melodrama “Saga of Rough & Ready,”
blacksmith demonstrations, chicken bingo
and Chili Cook-Off Rough & Ready style with
Ready Rules. roughandreadychamber.com
Information:
roughandreadychamber.com
Bridgeport
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Bridgeport
Bird Walks: June 8, July 13, September 14, October 12,
December 7
Wildflower Walks: Mid-March to Mid-May
Check website for additional events:
southyubariverstatepark.org
At Bridgeport located on Pleasant Valley
Road eight miles from the Hwy. 20 intersection.
Open Memorial Day to Labor
Day, Thursday–Sunday, 11:00 am–4:00
pm. Rest of year open Thursday–Sunday,
11:00 am–3:00 pm. (530) 432-2546;
southyubariverstatepark.org
Must Do!
Once a ranch, historic Bridgeport is a popular destination within the South
Yuba River State Park. It includes the longest single span covered bridge in
the world built in 1862.
Visitors to the park can hike on several trails, swim in river pools and at a
family beach, and try gold panning.
Weekends Memorial Day to Labor Day visit the history station or watch a
gold panning demonstration. The site also has a wagon barn and vintage gas
station. Park is open from sunrise to sunset.
State Park Visitor Center: More Things To Do Pages 73–85
ROUGH AND READY CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE
P.O. Box 801
Rough and Ready, CA 95975
(530) 797-6729
roughandreadychamber.com
Email: info@roughandready.com
PHOTOS BY ANDREW WRIGHT / LIGHTHAWKPHOTO
56 NEVADA COUNTY GOLD