In this 784 acre state park you can spend
the whole day exploring, going back in history, seeing the mining relics,
and learning about the story of California's Hard Rock Mining and it's
significance in California's history.
In October of 1850 a lumber man named George
Roberts found some gold, where the parking lot to the Empire Mine Park
is now. Hundreds of miners flocked to the area to stake out 30' by
40' placer claims. The work was hard, and very dangerous (as most of the
shafts resembled water wells instead of mines), cave-ins were frequent,
and many became discouraged and sold their claims. Ownerships shifted
many hands. Soon the main ownership shifted to William Bourn, and
he and his family eventually made it into a money making venture.
The greatest contributing factor to the
success of Nevada County's hardrock mining came from the influx of folks
from Cornwall, England, where copper and tin mining had been going on for
over a 1,000 years. These Cornishmen brought experience and the latest
technological advances in hard rock mining. They made it happen!
During its run, the mine took out approximately
5.8 million ounces of gold, and there was about 400 miles of underground
passages dug to get the gold out.
George Starr, cousin to William Bourn,
Jr., also worked and lived at the mine. The mines owners loved to
entertain, and many famous people came and enjoyed a stay at their "Clubhouse."
Probably the most famous of these was President Herbert Hoover. The
facilities included: a ballroom, billiards room, bar, squash court, bowling
alley, tennis courts, and of course room for croquet and badminton.
Most of this elegant estate is still there, and you can go back in time
as you sit in the rose garden.
You really should see this State Park when
you are in Nevada County. They have a very informative tour that
you will enjoy. Plan on spending the day there, do some hiking, and
get ready to explore the vast richness of history that the Empire Mine
State Park has to offer you.
To get a feel of the park, view the pictures
below.
THE
PARK IS LOCATED AT:
10791
E. EMPIRE ST.
GRASS
VALLEY, CA 95945
(530)
273-8522
