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| History of Nevada City THE NEVADA COUNTY COMMUNITY |
EXPLORE FURTHER
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By the fall of 1849, Captain John Pennington, Thomas Cross, and William McCraig were prospecting and discovered rich deposits of gold on Little Deer Creek and Gold Run. The early prospectors were finding "pound diggings" of gold every day. In September of the same year, A.B. Caldwell erected a square canvas tent on a hill overlooking Little Deer Creek, giving the area its first mailing address. The tent later became known as "Caldwell's Upper Store." The store was stocked with supplies such as pans, food, shovels, picks, Levis and other goods for the miners.
News about the discovery of gold spread quickly. Hundreds of miners from all over the world began to arrive as word of "Gold Fever in the Mother Lode," spread. New citizens erected canvas tents and brush huts, building their mining community. The miners were not prepared for the harsh winter conditions of snow and freezing rain. During the winter months they could not pan for gold because of the fast rushing water and the deep snow along the banks of the streams and rivers. Over the years the population of Nevada City continued to increase and many buildings, stores, churches, and schools were built. The Miners were not prepared for the high cost of living in the isolated mining communities. Goods had to be brought in from San Francisco and Sacramento on horseback and by mules. Here are some examples of prices the miners paid for food and supplies: Potatoes $ .75 More young men arrived in the area after leaving their families
behind. Due to the harsh conditions women were very rare in the
mining camps. Miners were known to write letters attempting to
attract women to the mining towns. In 1849 the first woman arrived
in the neighboring town of Rough and Ready. She was the wife of
a Scotchman by the name of Mr. Riddle. Another early pioneer by
the name of Sarah Davis was one of the first women who arrived
in Nevada City in October of 1850. These early pioneer women were
examples for other brave women to follow. In March of 1850 there were several robberies and a murder in the town. The people knew they had to have a government. An election was held to choose an Alcalde (a judicial officer). Mr. Stamp was chosen for the position. By now the people decided they needed a name for their mining town. They called for a town meeting. During the meeting names such as Sierra, Aurora, Deer Creek, and Gold Run were suggested. Mr. Blackman suggested the town be called Nevada, which was Spanish for "snow covered." The people voted and chose the name of Nevada for their town. The name was later changed to Nevada City when the state to the east borrowed the same name. As time went on mining continued to support and develop the community. The primary reason the town grew and prospered was a direct result of gold mining. The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad was built and street cars traveled up and down the main street. In October of 1853 the first telegraph was sent from Nevada City. Nevada City Today |
It is believed that the first white man to set foot on what is
now Nevada City was named James Marshall. He arrived during the
summer 1848. While he was here Mr. Marshall hoped to pan for his
fortune in gold. He did not find enough gold to make a living
so he left the area to seek his fortune elsewhere.
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