Near Alleghany in Sierra County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Bald Mountain Mine

Photographed By Major Wm Downie #1849, ECV, circa n/a

1. Bald Mountain Mine Marker

Inscription. Forest City’s early placer gold claims were worked out by 1865 leaving the town “busted.” In 1870 a company of local miners and businessmen located a lost section of “The Great Blue Lead,” a 60 million year old north – south running gravel channel beneath Bald Mountain. Eventually 30 miles of “drifts” or horizontal tunnels were run to remove the gravel with the help of the first underground steam locomotive on the Pacific Coast. Sluices for washing out the gold stretched over a mile downstream. Ten years as the state’s largest drift mine employing up to 250 men fueled the town’s second boom. By 1887 the mine’s production totaled 150,000 ounces of gold.

Erected 1997 by E Clampus Vitus, Major William Downie Chapter No. 1849.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 39° 29.387′ N, 120° 51.199′ W. Marker was near Alleghany, California, in Sierra County. Marker could be reached from the intersection of Main Street and School Street (unsigned)

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, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Alleghany CA 95910, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Forest City (a few steps from this marker); Forest City Dance Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Forest City Brewery (within shouting distance of this marker); Stamp Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Rite Here (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bovee Building (approx. 1.4 miles away); Alleghany (approx. 1½ miles away); Henness Pass Road (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alleghany.

More about this marker. This marker was located inside the safe at the Forest City Park. It is now missing.

Photographed By Major Wm Downie #1849, ECV, circa n/a

2. Bald Mountain Mine Marker

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 2, 2013

3. Bald Mountain Mine Marker

The Bald Mountain Mine marker is now missing.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 531 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 14, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.