Sierra County Gold Districts

Alleghany
Alleghany was the only town in California after the Second World War whose economy depended on gold mining. This is considered additionally the most important high-grade gold mining district in California. The placers in this area were discovered in 1848 and later on lode mining started up in 1853. A great deal of the gold production in this area has been obtained by small but very rich veins. Drift and hydraulic mining were also done in this area in the past and the riches gravels were the Big Blue Tertiary gravels.

For those interested in reaching Alleghany, simply take Ridge Road just after you cross over the middle fork of the Yuba River, going north on Highway 49. On Ridge Road go east until its junction with Foote Road and you will find Alleghany.

American Hill
American Hill is a placer and lode gold district and it is located five miles east of Alleghany on the Henness Pass Road.

Brandy City
Brandy Cit is a placer gold district. A great deal of the gold production in this area was obtained by hydraulic mining and the Tertiary channel gravels that are in this area were some of the richest in bedrock. To get to Brandy City you will need to take the Indian Valley Scales Road north off of Highway 49. You will be able to see it right after having crossed the north fork of the Yuba River.

Downieville
Downieville is a lode and placer gold district. The placers in this area were first worked on during the gold rush days and were very rich, so rich as a matter a fact that people that wanted to make claims were only given 30 feet to do so. One of these claims paid out $80,000 in a time period of six months though (to give you an idea of the richness of the area).

There was a camp called Tin Cup Diggings in which the miners that worked there made an agreement they would stop their work for the day when they were able to fill a tin cup with gold.

There is still some rich Tertiary gravels in this area in the ridges looking over the river. The district of Downieville is located on Highway 49.

Eureka
Eureka is a little lode and placer mining district that is located north of Downieville. The placers in this area were first worked on during the gold rush. Later on large-scale hydraulicing was done on the Tertiary gravels. For those interested in visiting Eureka, take the Oak Ranch road north out of Downieville to the Eureka Mine Road. The mines are located in this area.