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N E V A D A
C I T Y
HISTORY, MUSEUMS, HISTORY LIBRARIES
ANDREW WRIGHT / LIGHTHAWKPHOTO
Firehouse No. 1
Museum
A hardrock mining industry was established, and
although the mines were not as large or numerous as
those in neighboring Grass Valley, they were successful
and contributed to the town’s economic strength.
Museums
FIREHOUSE NO. 1 MUSEUM: 214 Main St. Built in 1861,
has been named A Haunted House of California.
Known for its Chinese exhibits. Open May 1–October
31, afternoons Tuesday–Sunday. (530) 265-3937;
nevadacountyhistory.org
F
ounded as a mining camp in 1849, Nevada City
quickly grew with each new discovery of gold.
Men common ly pulled a pound of gold a day from
Deer Creek, and thousands grew rich in 1850 with the
discovery of gold at the Old Coyote Ravine northeast
of town.
Built on Deer Creek, the town had several names
before Nevada, ultimately the Spanish name for snow
was chosen. “City” was added later when the new state
to the east chose (some said stole) the name Nevada.
The town grew quickly, everyone had money and everybody spent it. Saloons and gambling establishments
lined the streets.
Nevada City, like other mining towns, had its share of
fires, and was especially hard hit by one in 1856 that
burned 400 buildings including many made of brick that
were thought to be fireproof. Another fire in 1863 again
gutted the business district, but the citizens rebuilt and
today visitors can see the results of their labors.
Nevada County
Narrow Gauge
Railroad Museum
MINERS FOUNDRY CULTURAL CENTER: 325 Spring St.
Historic building with interpretive displays covering
manufacturing of mining machinery including the
famous Pelton Wheel. Open Tuesday–Friday,
9:00 am–4:00 pm.
History Libraries
SEARLS HISTORICAL LIBRARY: 161 Nevada City Hwy.,
corner of Ridge Road. Historic books, manuscripts,
research material, county assessor records, immigration
and naturalization records, over 18,000 catalogued
photographs. Call for hours, (530) 265-5910.
DORIS FOLEY LIBRARY FOR HISTORICAL RESEARCH: 211
North Pine St. Located in a Carnegie Library building
completed in 1907. Resources dating from early 1850s
include genealogy information and newspapers. Open:
Wednesday–Saturday. (530) 265-4606;
mynevadacounty.com/library
Must Do!
34 N E V A D A
COUNTY
EVENT: Christmas at the Museum, December 5. Santa,
refreshments, door prizes for children.
GOLD
ANDREW WRIGHT / LIGHTHAWKPHOTO
WAYDE CARROLL
5 Kidder Ct., take Hollow Way adjacent to freeway at
Gold Flat Road to Bost Avenue to Kidder Court. Artifacts
and exhibits relating to Narrow Gauge Railroad opened in
1876 to link area with the transcontinental railroad in
Colfax. Open May 1–October 31, Friday–Tuesday;
November 1–April 30, Saturday & Sunday. (530) 4700902; NCNGRRMuseum.org
Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum