Sutter Creek in Amador County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Miners' Bend Park

A Historic Gold Mining Park

Photographed By Syd Whittle, July 31, 2017

1. Miners' Bend Park Marker

Inscription.

Miners' Bend Park. A Historic Gold Mining Park. Sutter Creek, California. Left Panel: Like many communities in the Sierra Foothills, Sutter Creek grew out of the great gold rush of 1849. Thousands of men of every nationality arrived seeking fortunes through toil, sweat, and luck. Americans from the East labored next to Chinese, Chileans, Englishmen, and Mexicans. They came to work the placer gold deposits of the mountain-fed streams around a location that would become known as Sutter Creek. A few succeeded in attaining the fast wealth that had been touted in the pamphlets and stories that had inspired their journeys, but many more failed. , Others turned to more traditional trades, realizing that there was more money to be made providing for the miners then there was in mining itself. They set up tents and erected small cabins to serve as bakeries, blacksmiths, boardinghouses, mercantiles, restaurants, saloons, and more. These individuals and the miners that they served were to become the founders of Sutter Creek. , As early as 1851, some of the miners had identified the source of the loose gold that they were recovering from the placer. Known as the Mother Lode, this source was in the bedrock, in and around Sutter Creek. Miners began to dig deeper into this rock and erected stamp mills to crush the ore and recover its gold. It was soon apparent that the mines were showing no end in their ability to produce. Realizing that they were going to be here for awhile, local residents began to replace their tents and cabins with proper houses and commercial buildings. , As the town of Sutter Creek matured, it changed-sometimes rapidly. Stone, brick, and wood-framed false front buildings appeared along what would become Main Street. Heavy industry, in the form of several foundries-including Tibbits, Mannon, Fullen and McAdam, Donnelly and Howard and finally, Knight Foundry-developed to support the mines, mills, and fledging community. The headframes and mills dominated the town’s landscape, their stamps pounding 24 hours a day. Men began to send home for their families and soon the streets were filled, not just with scruffy miners, but women and children, too. Schools and churches joined saloons and brothels. Farmers and ranchers moved in to take advantage of the rich soil and rolling grasslands cleared of trees by the timber-hungry mines and their boilers. Devastation also helped to reshape the town. Several times fire leveled much of Sutter Creek’s business district, which was always immediately rebuilt and often improved. Much of what stands today was built after the last great conflagration in 1888., Center Panel: Sutter Creek entered the 20th century with the mines and mills going strong, including the Lincoln, Wildman, Mahoney, Old Eureka mines. Samuel Knight’s famous foundry was manufacturing heavy equipment that was being shipped all over the western United States and as far away as Alaska, South America, and Africa. The hills were covered with livestock, orchards, and vineyards. Main Street was lined with neat and tidy bakeries, shops, banks, and even a theater for opera. Sutter Creek led the way in developing hydro-electric power for lighting and was supplying Amador City and Jackson as well. Another technology that would again change the face of Main Street was beginning to take shape. By the 1920’s, most of the livery stables and blacksmiths had disappeared in the wake of the automobile revolution, replaced by gas stations, garages, paved streets, and auto dealerships. , Mines provided the foundation on which Sutter Creek was built, economically and socially. When the mines boomed so too the town, and when returns were low so was the mood of the town. The 20th century saw mining fortunes rise and fall around Sutter Creek. World War I and II brought temporary closures of the mines. The Great Depression had the opposite effect with abundant labor and low material costs providing a perfect environment for profitable mining operations. , The last operating mine in Sutter Creek-the Central Eureka-closed in the 1950’s, bringing the era of hardrock mining to an end. The Knight Foundry continued operations into the t(sic) and then only reluctantly closed. Agriculture remains strong, with cattle and vineyards vying for space on the rolling hillsides. Today the town is largely dependent on tourism, with thousands coming again from around the world to experience Sutter Creek’s rich history. Many descendants of the original settlers of our community still live in the Sutter Creek and cherish the history of their ancestors who arrived over a century ago with their hopes and dreams. , Text and photos from Images of America-Sutter Creek by Kimberly Wooten and R, Scott Baxter, Arcadia Publishing, 2006 , Right Panel: Listing of sponsors and contributors

Sutter Creek, California Left Panel:
Like many communities in the Sierra Foothills, Sutter Creek grew out of the great gold rush of 1849. Thousands of men of every nationality arrived seeking fortunes through toil, sweat, and luck. Americans from the East labored next to Chinese, Chileans, Englishmen, and Mexicans. They came to work the placer gold deposits of the mountain-fed streams around a location that would become known as Sutter Creek. A few succeeded in attaining the fast wealth that had been touted in the pamphlets and stories that had inspired their journeys, but many more failed.

Others turned to more traditional trades, realizing that there was more money to be made providing for the miners then there was in mining itself. They set up tents and erected small cabins to serve as bakeries, blacksmiths, boardinghouses, mercantiles, restaurants, saloons, and more. These individuals and the miners that they served were to become the founders of Sutter Creek.

As early as 1851, some of the miners had identified the source of the loose gold that they were recovering from the placer. Known as the Mother Lode, this source was in the bedrock, in and around Sutter Creek. Miners began to dig deeper into this rock and erected stamp mills to crush the ore and recover its gold.

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It was soon apparent that the mines were showing no end in their ability to produce. Realizing that they were going to be here for awhile, local residents began to replace their tents and cabins with proper houses and commercial buildings.

As the town of Sutter Creek matured, it changed-sometimes rapidly. Stone, brick, and wood-framed false front buildings appeared along what would become Main Street. Heavy industry, in the form of several foundries-including Tibbits, Mannon, Fullen & McAdam, Donnelly & Howard and finally, Knight Foundry-developed to support the mines, mills, and fledging community. The headframes and mills dominated the town’s landscape, their stamps pounding 24 hours a day. Men began to send home for their families and soon the streets were filled, not just with scruffy miners, but women and children, too. Schools and churches joined saloons and brothels. Farmers and ranchers moved in to take advantage of the rich soil and rolling grasslands cleared of trees by the timber-hungry mines and their boilers. Devastation also helped to reshape the town. Several times fire leveled much of Sutter Creek’s business district, which was always immediately rebuilt and often improved. Much of what stands today was built after the last great conflagration in 1888.

Center Panel:
Sutter Creek entered the 20th century with the mines and mills

Miners' Bend Park Marker - Left Panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, July 31, 2017

2. Miners' Bend Park Marker - Left Panel

Sutter Creek

going strong, including the Lincoln, Wildman, Mahoney, Old Eureka mines. Samuel Knight’s famous foundry was manufacturing heavy equipment that was being shipped all over the western United States and as far away as Alaska, South America, and Africa. The hills were covered with livestock, orchards, and vineyards. Main Street was lined with neat and tidy bakeries, shops, banks, and even a theater for opera. Sutter Creek led the way in developing hydro-electric power for lighting and was supplying Amador City and Jackson as well. Another technology that would again change the face of Main Street was beginning to take shape. By the 1920’s, most of the livery stables and blacksmiths had disappeared in the wake of the automobile revolution, replaced by gas stations, garages, paved streets, and auto dealerships.

Mines provided the foundation on which Sutter Creek was built, economically and socially. When the mines boomed so too the town, and when returns were low so was the mood of the town. The 20th century saw mining fortunes rise and fall around Sutter Creek. World War I and II brought temporary closures of the mines. The Great Depression had the opposite effect with abundant labor and low material costs providing a perfect environment for profitable mining operations.

The last operating mine in Sutter Creek-the Central Eureka-closed in the 1950’s, bringing

Miners' Bend Park Marker - Center Panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, July 31, 2017

3. Miners' Bend Park Marker - Center Panel

California

the era of hardrock mining to an end. The Knight Foundry continued operations into the t(sic) and then only reluctantly closed. Agriculture remains strong, with cattle and vineyards vying for space on the rolling hillsides. Today the town is largely dependent on tourism, with thousands coming again from around the world to experience Sutter Creek’s rich history. Many descendants of the original settlers of our community still live in the Sutter Creek and cherish the history of their ancestors who arrived over a century ago with their hopes and dreams.

Text and photos from Images of America-Sutter Creek by Kimberly Wooten and R, Scott Baxter, Arcadia Publishing, 2006

Right Panel:
Listing of sponsors and contributors

Erected 2017 by Sutter Creek Community Benefit Foundation and Native Sons of the Golden West, Amador Parlor #17).

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 38° 23.363′ N, 120° 48.061′ W. Marker is in Sutter Creek, California, in Amador County. Marker is on Old Route 49

Miners' Bend Park Marker - Right Panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, July 31, 2017

4. Miners' Bend Park Marker - Right Panel

Sponsors of the Park

(Main Street), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 29 Old Route 49, Sutter Creek CA 95685, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Knight Scarifier – “The Scarifier that will scarify” (here, next to this marker); Hydroelectric Power in Amador County (a few steps from this marker); Old Eureka Mine (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Old Eureka Mine (within shouting distance of this marker); To Remember the Men of Amador County Who Died in The World War (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pine Woods (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sutter Creek United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Provis Park (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sutter Creek.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, July 31, 2017

5. Miners' Bend Park Marker

Miners' Bend Park Dedication Plaque - Native Sons of the Golden West, Amador Parlor #17 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, July 31, 2017

6. Miners' Bend Park Dedication Plaque - Native Sons of the Golden West, Amador Parlor #17

This park was founded and built by the Sutter Creek Community Benefit Foundation in partnership with the Native Sons of the Golden West, Amador Parlor #17.

These artifacts, from the surrounding area, are examples of the tools used by miners in the hard rock gold mines of California. They tell the story of gold mining in Sutter Creek and Amador County.

This park is dedicated to the memory of the California Gold Rush miners and those who followed. They are the pioneers who helped establish Sutter Creek and allowed it to flourish.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, July 31, 2017

7. Miners' Bend Park Dedication Plaque - Native Sons of the Golden West, Amador Parlor #17

Miners' Bend Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, July 31, 2017

8. Miners' Bend Park

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2017, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 344 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 31, 2017, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on August 1, 2017, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.