DESTINATIONS
Highway 49 Guide - California Scenic Byway
(Reprinted from GORP.com)
The 49 miles along Highway 49 described on these pages is
one of the most scenic and historically rich sections of this beautiful
highway. The route will take you through quaint, small towns, historic mining
areas, along one of the truly beautiful rivers of Northern California, and show
you some of the rich history contained within the hills and mountains of rural California.
Starting from either end, visit the historic stops along the highway. Learn about the miners and ranchers
of the area, what they did and how they did it. Learn about the indians who lived here prior to the influx
of miners in 1849.
Each stop can be visited independently, letting you take as long as you want at each one, so that you
won't feel the pressure to complete the tour at one time.
Many of these "stops" are located at or near archaeological sites within the Tahoe National Forest, and
are protected by the Archaeological Resources Protection Act and other federal laws. Removal of
artifacts or damaging, defacing, or destroying any parts of these sites and their features is a felony.
Travel Tips
Please be sure to plan your trip before embarking. Take your time, visit all or just part of the 'stops'. You
may want to make overnight accommodations. Food and lodging is available in Downieville and Sierra
City, or you may want to stay in one of the many campgrounds found on or nearby the route. Another
choice is to drive the tour all in one day, going to or coming from other nearby recreation areas.
Tour Stops
The twelve "stops" along the "49 mile trail of history", starting from the southern end, are as follows:
Oregon Creek Day Use Area
The confluence of the Middle Yuba River and Oregon Creek has been the site of varied and continuous
use. It was first used by the Maidu Indians hundreds of years ago, probably for a seasonal campsite,
and, in the 1860's, the south branch of the Henness Pass Road was constructed to pass this way. Part
of this wagon road system was the Oregon Creek covered bridge, which is still in use today.
Camptonville
Camptonville was originally a stop on the road to Downieville. In 1852 a gold strike was made here, and
by 1857 large scale gravel mining was going on.
In 1879, Lester Pelton, a carpenter and Camptonville resident, invented a split bucket water wheel to
power a sewing machine. This simple device proved to have over twice the efficiency of a flat paddle
water wheel, and over 20 % greater efficiency than a single bucket wheel. The 'Pelton Wheel' was
patented in 1880 and was an instant success. It powered stamp mills, pumps, printing presses, fans,
sugar mills and many other machines all over the world. Along with reservoirs and ditches, it was a major
component in the development of hydroelectricity. The Pelton wheel is still in use today and provides
power at many locations including nearby Bullards Bar Dam.
Jouberts Diggings
Portions of ancient river systems containing large but dispersed amounts of gold are now located on
ridge tops and were mined by the hydraulic method. It was a way to efficiently mine low yield gravels.
The drawback was the releasing of "slickens", or sluice tailings, into the river and ultimately into the
Sacramento Valley. Farmers objected and took it to court. The Sawyer Decision of 1884 effectively
ended the large hydraulic operations in California. Under certain conditions hydraulic mining was
allowed. The Jouberts, by using debris dams, continued hydraulicking until 1941.
Indian Valley
Post 1849 Indian Valley was an isolated community of miners, loggers, ranchers and small shop owners.
Access was by a steep and rough wagon road from Indian Hill. In 1921 the California Bureau of Public
Roads completed the current highway. This road opened the area to recreation use and provided a
more direct route to towns along the North Yuba.
Indian Rock Picnic Area
Native people have used this area for at least 4,000 years. For the past 1,500 years, acorns have been
an important food source. They were ground into a flour in mortar holes with a stone pestle. The flour
was then leached to remove tannic acid and cooked in a water tight basket with hot rocks.
The Nisenan, who were the most recent native people to use this area, were attuned to animal behavior,
as well as the ripening of various vegetable resources located at varying elevations. They moved with
the seasons to gather these resources.
Goodyears Bar
Good years Bar was one of the earliest mining camps along the North Yuba River. It was established in
1849, and at one time had a Chinese population of over 400 people. Few historic buildings remain in
this once busy mining town.
Highway 49 was extended to Goodyears Bar in 1921. Before that time the stage descended 2,000 feet
from the ridge visible on the south side of the canyon. In 1858, the Sierra Turnpike Company met in
Goodyears Bar to plan the construction of this road. The road connected Camptonville and Downieville
by way of Goodyears Bar, with connecting roads to Forest City and the Henness Pass Road. The road
was completed in 1859. The first stage into Downieville was accompanied by forty men on mules, and a
great ball was held that evening to celebrate the completion of the road.
Downieville
In 1850, 5,000 men wintered in Downieville. In the following spring, that population scattered into the
surrounding hills and canyons in search of gold. Nevertheless, the miners remained dependent on
Downieville for provisions and mail. Coming to town also offered a social dimension to the endless work
in the mines. The town offered restaurants, soft beds, gambling, culture and companionship. Perhaps
the most important aspect of a town visit was the chance to share ideas and techniques about mining.
Today, Downieville retains much of its former character and many of its traditional functions.
Loganville
Loganville campground is situated east of the former town of Loganville. In 1889, Luigi Lagomarsino put
in an orchard, a clover field and a garden. This is an example of a typical homestead of that time. Many
of the original miners in the Loganville/Sierra City area were immigrants from Italy, France and the
British Isles.
Sierra City
Miners found gold in the nearby streamside gravels as early as 1850. By 1851 hardrock mining proved
profitable. In 1855 the camp became more of a town, with a hotel and sawmill. The Sierra Buttes Mine
was active for 80 years and was the second largest gold producer in Sierra County. A continuous body
of medium grade ore was processed efficiently, assuring steady employment. As many as 290 men
worked at this mine in 1873.
Kentucky Mine Museum
How does a stamp mill work? After the gold ore is mined, it must be crushed and the gold extracted.
Fortunately, the well preserved Kentucky Mine gives us a glimpse of how hardrock gold mines operated
in the early twentieth century. This excellent museum and park is operated by Sierra County and the
Sierra County Historical Society. Hours of operation vary. Please check with them for their schedule.
Bassetts Station
In the 1860's, this location was the site of a wayside inn known as the Hancock House. By 1870, the
Yuba Gap Wagon Road was completed and the place was bought by Jacob and Mary Bassett. In
addition to an inn, they had a sawmill, two barns, a blacksmith shop and famous food. By the turn of the
century, Bassetts was accommodating a large number of tourists, there primarily to visit the spectacular
Lakes Basin area to the north.
Native people appreciated the beauty of this area as well, and used it seasonally. It was shared by the
Nisenan, the Northeast Maidu and the Washo tribes.
Yuba Pass
In 1870, Sierra County produced over 2,000 bales of hay. After the opening of the Yuba Gap Wagon
Road in the same year, hay production increased to 11,000 bales. Most of the hay was grown in Sierra
Valley for oxen, horses and mules in the Sierra City/Downieville area. In the winter, sleds and sleighs
crossed the gap pulled by horses wearing nine inch by nine inch square snowshoes.
Highway 49 Guide - California Scenic Byway
(Reprinted from GORP.com)
The 49 miles along Highway 49 described on these pages is
one of the most scenic and historically rich sections of this beautiful
highway. The route will take you through quaint, small towns, historic mining
areas, along one of the truly beautiful rivers of Northern California, and show
you some of the rich history contained within the hills and mountains of rural California.
Starting from either end, visit the historic stops along the highway. Learn about the miners and ranchers
of the area, what they did and how they did it. Learn about the indians who lived here prior to the influx
of miners in 1849.
Each stop can be visited independently, letting you take as long as you want at each one, so that you
won't feel the pressure to complete the tour at one time.
Many of these "stops" are located at or near archaeological sites within the Tahoe National Forest, and
are protected by the Archaeological Resources Protection Act and other federal laws. Removal of
artifacts or damaging, defacing, or destroying any parts of these sites and their features is a felony.
Travel Tips
Please be sure to plan your trip before embarking. Take your time, visit all or just part of the 'stops'. You
may want to make overnight accommodations. Food and lodging is available in Downieville and Sierra
City, or you may want to stay in one of the many campgrounds found on or nearby the route. Another
choice is to drive the tour all in one day, going to or coming from other nearby recreation areas.
Tour Stops
The twelve "stops" along the "49 mile trail of history", starting from the southern end, are as follows:
Oregon Creek Day Use Area
The confluence of the Middle Yuba River and Oregon Creek has been the site of varied and continuous
use. It was first used by the Maidu Indians hundreds of years ago, probably for a seasonal campsite,
and, in the 1860's, the south branch of the Henness Pass Road was constructed to pass this way. Part
of this wagon road system was the Oregon Creek covered bridge, which is still in use today.
Camptonville
Camptonville was originally a stop on the road to Downieville. In 1852 a gold strike was made here, and
by 1857 large scale gravel mining was going on.
In 1879, Lester Pelton, a carpenter and Camptonville resident, invented a split bucket water wheel to
power a sewing machine. This simple device proved to have over twice the efficiency of a flat paddle
water wheel, and over 20 % greater efficiency than a single bucket wheel. The 'Pelton Wheel' was
patented in 1880 and was an instant success. It powered stamp mills, pumps, printing presses, fans,
sugar mills and many other machines all over the world. Along with reservoirs and ditches, it was a major
component in the development of hydroelectricity. The Pelton wheel is still in use today and provides
power at many locations including nearby Bullards Bar Dam.
Jouberts Diggings
Portions of ancient river systems containing large but dispersed amounts of gold are now located on
ridge tops and were mined by the hydraulic method. It was a way to efficiently mine low yield gravels.
The drawback was the releasing of "slickens", or sluice tailings, into the river and ultimately into the
Sacramento Valley. Farmers objected and took it to court. The Sawyer Decision of 1884 effectively
ended the large hydraulic operations in California. Under certain conditions hydraulic mining was
allowed. The Jouberts, by using debris dams, continued hydraulicking until 1941.
Indian Valley
Post 1849 Indian Valley was an isolated community of miners, loggers, ranchers and small shop owners.
Access was by a steep and rough wagon road from Indian Hill. In 1921 the California Bureau of Public
Roads completed the current highway. This road opened the area to recreation use and provided a
more direct route to towns along the North Yuba.
Indian Rock Picnic Area
Native people have used this area for at least 4,000 years. For the past 1,500 years, acorns have been
an important food source. They were ground into a flour in mortar holes with a stone pestle. The flour
was then leached to remove tannic acid and cooked in a water tight basket with hot rocks.
The Nisenan, who were the most recent native people to use this area, were attuned to animal behavior,
as well as the ripening of various vegetable resources located at varying elevations. They moved with
the seasons to gather these resources.
Goodyears Bar
Good years Bar was one of the earliest mining camps along the North Yuba River. It was established in
1849, and at one time had a Chinese population of over 400 people. Few historic buildings remain in
this once busy mining town.
Highway 49 was extended to Goodyears Bar in 1921. Before that time the stage descended 2,000 feet
from the ridge visible on the south side of the canyon. In 1858, the Sierra Turnpike Company met in
Goodyears Bar to plan the construction of this road. The road connected Camptonville and Downieville
by way of Goodyears Bar, with connecting roads to Forest City and the Henness Pass Road. The road
was completed in 1859. The first stage into Downieville was accompanied by forty men on mules, and a
great ball was held that evening to celebrate the completion of the road.
Downieville
In 1850, 5,000 men wintered in Downieville. In the following spring, that population scattered into the
surrounding hills and canyons in search of gold. Nevertheless, the miners remained dependent on
Downieville for provisions and mail. Coming to town also offered a social dimension to the endless work
in the mines. The town offered restaurants, soft beds, gambling, culture and companionship. Perhaps
the most important aspect of a town visit was the chance to share ideas and techniques about mining.
Today, Downieville retains much of its former character and many of its traditional functions.
Loganville
Loganville campground is situated east of the former town of Loganville. In 1889, Luigi Lagomarsino put
in an orchard, a clover field and a garden. This is an example of a typical homestead of that time. Many
of the original miners in the Loganville/Sierra City area were immigrants from Italy, France and the
British Isles.
Sierra City
Miners found gold in the nearby streamside gravels as early as 1850. By 1851 hardrock mining proved
profitable. In 1855 the camp became more of a town, with a hotel and sawmill. The Sierra Buttes Mine
was active for 80 years and was the second largest gold producer in Sierra County. A continuous body
of medium grade ore was processed efficiently, assuring steady employment. As many as 290 men
worked at this mine in 1873.
Kentucky Mine Museum
How does a stamp mill work? After the gold ore is mined, it must be crushed and the gold extracted.
Fortunately, the well preserved Kentucky Mine gives us a glimpse of how hardrock gold mines operated
in the early twentieth century. This excellent museum and park is operated by Sierra County and the
Sierra County Historical Society. Hours of operation vary. Please check with them for their schedule.
Bassetts Station
In the 1860's, this location was the site of a wayside inn known as the Hancock House. By 1870, the
Yuba Gap Wagon Road was completed and the place was bought by Jacob and Mary Bassett. In
addition to an inn, they had a sawmill, two barns, a blacksmith shop and famous food. By the turn of the
century, Bassetts was accommodating a large number of tourists, there primarily to visit the spectacular
Lakes Basin area to the north.
Native people appreciated the beauty of this area as well, and used it seasonally. It was shared by the
Nisenan, the Northeast Maidu and the Washo tribes.
Yuba Pass
In 1870, Sierra County produced over 2,000 bales of hay. After the opening of the Yuba Gap Wagon
Road in the same year, hay production increased to 11,000 bales. Most of the hay was grown in Sierra
Valley for oxen, horses and mules in the Sierra City/Downieville area. In the winter, sleds and sleighs
crossed the gap pulled by horses wearing nine inch by nine inch square snowshoes.
Click on photos to enlarge images