Nevada City is on highway 29, north of the junction to highway 49. The first miner to search for gold in the area was James Marshall, the same James Marshall who discovered gold at Sutter's Mill in 1848 that started the gold rush to the Mother Lode. In 1850, a Mr. Stamps was elected to the position of Aldalde for the area and promptly named the cite, Nevada. Ten years later the State of Nevada was formed. As a compromise, the town was allowed to keep the name providing the word City was added. Hence, Nevada City. The town is unique in many ways and displays much of what was during the 1850s and later. Very worthwhile to spend some time there. Submitted by Henry Chenoweth.

Only four miles north of Grass Valley is Nevada City, named long before the state of Nevada. She was the biggest mining camp in California and with a population of 10,000 was outdistanced only by San Francisco and Sacramento. With early comers to the area reaping as much as $6,000 a day, Argonauts flocked in by the thousands. Nevada City was fairly civilized for a mining camp. Beginning in 1851 whole families arrived in town and the presence of decent women had a sobering effect. As early as 1850 Nevada City consisted of some 250 buildings including a theater. Some of the oldest historic buildings date as far back as 1850s and is as well preserved as Grass Valley.

Fire Hydrant
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Pennsylvania Engine Co. No. 2 --- Construction money raised in 1859 by popular subscription and a Grand Ball staged by the town's women. This
firehouse has been in continuous since since 1861.
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Church
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Cemetery
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Marker -- Charles 1883 - 12 years old and Lizzie - 1882 - 9 mo. old
Courtesy Dolores Steele