Nevada City Historical Landmarks
THE NEVADA COUNTY COMMUNITY

 

EXPLORE FURTHER


Becoming California, stories from California Gold Rush History

The Nevada Theater opened in l865. The red brick building was a place where the miners and townspeople went for entertainment. Musicals and drama were performed on the stage. People such as Emma Nevada (Wixon), Lotta Crabtree, Richard Jose, and Mark Twain performed for the miners during the l800’s.

Beginning in the l900’s, motion pictures were shown each night. Today the Nevada City Theater hosts plays and musicals for its audiences. Each Sunday night movies are shown and the theater is used for other artistic performances.

Miners Foundry
Built in l856, the foundry played an important part in making cast iron products for the mines. It became the Pelton Water Wheel manufacturing site.The water wheel helped to provide power for the mines. The world famous wheel became the basis for the turbine generator. Today, the foundry is a historical landmark and local cultural center that is used for theater, musical events, dances, and dinners.

Nevada City Methodist Church
The Nevada City Methodist Church was founded by a pioneer preacher whose name was Reverend Isaac Owen in l850. It has been in continuous operation since that time.

The Searls Historical Library
This is one of the oldest buildings in Nevada City. It once was the law office of Niles Searls who practiced law in Nevada City from l872 to l885. Searls was the district attorney in l855 for Nevada, Sierra, and Yuba counties. He went on to become the Chief Justice for the State of California. Today, the building houses the historical library. Its brick walls and iron shutters protect the historical documents, pictures, and diaries we used as references for this website.

 

The National Exchange Hotel
Built in 1854, the National Hotel is one of the oldest continuous operating hotels in California. It was used as a stagecoach, telegraph, mail, and express center during the mining days. It was also a popular gathering place. Many famous people have stayed in its rooms. If you visit the hotel today you would find it looking much the same as it did in l856.

 

Other California Historical Landmarks

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