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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.
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Willow Creek Campground & RV Park
17548 Highway 49, Camptonville, CA 95922
(877) 901-7191
(530) 288-0646
Fax: (530) 288-3595
Info: willowcreekcampground@wildblue.net
Don R. Deane, Proprietor
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