Another "mid century madness," the rush for the gold in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, began in January of 1848 near Sacramento, California.
In 1853, (100 years before my birth year) the placers at Columbia, California began to yield vast amounts of gold. This continued until the early 1860s. At that time, Columbia was one of the largest cities in the state.
Columbia is now a state park. We are fortunate to live just a few miles away. I have been visiting the park since I was a young girl. On Valentines Day we paid another visit to the park so I could try out my new camera. It was a beautiful, warm day perfect for snapping a few photos.
A wonderful and informative novel about the California Goldrush was written by Isabel Allende. It is titled "Daughter of Fortune." (click on title to link to info on this book)
(This photo was taken on our drive home...)
Your pictures are beautiful! Thanks for sharing! That looks like such a neat place to go. Lisa
ReplyDeleteYes, your pictures certainly are beautiful. I have always loved Columbia, and always will. It holds a lot of memories for me.
ReplyDeleteWonderful!
ReplyDeleteI remember going to Bodie a couple times on geology field trips. Worked out in the deserts doing field work near other old CA mining towns and such...
In fact, once a couple guys came up to a remote job site and were sure we were mining for gold lol...
Lived in Sac since I was 5 - we took road trips all the time and I have NEVER heard of this place!!
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Barbara
http://ifididnthaveasenseofhumor.blogspot.com
Ah yes, 1853. I remember it well even though I was only 3 years old. Oh, wait. I think I was born in NINETEEN fifty. Naw, the way I feel today, it was definitely EIGHTEEN fifty. Creak. Those photos are just beautiful--I have actually been to Columbia back when I lived in Calif and went there with my first husband. I have a photo somewhere of him pooping by the side of the road (out of sight of the traffic but not me with the camera, ha ha). I'm pretty sure we didn't stay long because if he'd found out the saloon sold alcohol we would've never left.
ReplyDeleteOh my how amazing! Next time I find myself in Norcal, I will have to go! Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love being down the road from this special place too! I've been many times with my kids, they love climbing on all the rocks laying around the area. This is truly a wonderful area to live in!
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