2017-2018 Nevada County Gold Magazine 2017-2018_Nevada County Gold Magazine | Page 61

SIERRA COUNTY SIERRA COUNTY I N THE HEART OF THE NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA, neighboring Sierra County is comprised of two quite different regions divided by the Pacific Crest. On the west side, it is mountainous and forested. The eastern side is dominated at 5,000 feet by the largest alpine valley in North America. Visitors to Sierra County can take scenic highways to old mining camps, cattle ranches, wetlands, snowy peaks, waterfalls, fall colors and abundant wildlife. 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, which is located at the gateway to the Lakes Basin Region and the Sierra Buttes. 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 are many lodging options and camping is popular. SIERRA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 1-800-200-4949 sierracountychamber.com Email: [email protected] EAST SIERRA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE [phone] eastsierravalleychamber.com Email: [email protected] VISITOR GUIDE: SierraCountyGold.com VISITOR BOOTHS: Downieville, Loyalton HISTORY Museums / Historical Park Established in 1852, Sierra County’s history goes back to the time when Maidu and Washoe Indians lived in the area. More recent- ly 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 the Gold Rush days to the present. Open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day, 11:00 am–4:00 pm. Open weekends other times of year, except winter. [phone] 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 Memorial Day through Labor Day, Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00 am–4:00 pm. [phone]; sierracountyhistory.org MILTON GOTTARDI LOYALTON MUSEUM: 605 School St. Antique hearse, Indian artifacts, genealogy information, Main Street exhibit, historic classroom. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, Friday–Sunday, 12:00 pm–4:00 pm. [phone] N E VA D A C O U N T Y G O L D . c o m 61 C A L I F O R N I A