2016-2017 Nevada County Gold Magazine | Page 61

  SIERRA COUNTY C A L I F O R N I A V ISITORS TO NEIGHBORING SIERRA COUNTY will find much to discover. Here scenic highways take you to old mining camps, cattle ranches, wetlands, snowy peaks, waterfalls, abundant wildlife and fall colors. Sierra County has two quite different regions. On the west side, it is mountainous and heavily forested. The eastern side is dominated by the largest alpine valley in North America. 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 Bassett’s Station located at the gateway to the Lakes Basin Region. At the eastern slope of the Sierra are the towns of Calpine, Sierraville and Sattley, nearby is Loyalton. Sierra County is easily reached from both western and eastern Nevada County. From Nevada City take Hwy. 49; from Truckee take Hwy. 89. Visit for a day or linger longer. There is a variety of lodging on the western side, and camping is popular. GEORGE LAMSON SIERRA COUNTY SIERRA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (800) 200-4949 sierracountychamber.com EAST SIERRA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 702 Main Street, Loyalton eastsierravalleychamber.com Visitor Guide: SierraCountyGold.com Visitor Centers: Downieville, Loyalton HISTORY Historical Parks / Museums Established in 1852, Sierra County’s history goes 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. DOWNIEVILLE MUSEUM: Main Street. Collections depict life from Gold Rush to present. Open every day from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Open weekends other times of year, except winter. (530) 289-3506. KENTUCKY MINE & MUSEUM: East of Sierra City on Hwy. 49. Gold Mine dates from 1853. Working stamp mill, tours. Museum contains artifacts from mining days. Park with picnic area. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. (530) 862-1310; sierracountyhistory.org LOYALTON MUSEUM & HISTORICAL PARK: 105 Beckwith Rd. Features 200 years of Sierra Valley history. Research center. Open Saturdays and Sundays Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. (530) 993-6754. N E VA D A C O U N T Y G O L D . c o m 61