Hydraulic Mining
The first hydraulic mining originated here at "American Hill Diggins" by Edward Matteson in 1853. Matteson originally used canvas hose. The canvas hose was replaced with crinoline hose in 1860.
These miners' giants, also known as water cannons, monitors and dictators, washed hillsides away with high pressure water, uncovering gold bearing beds. This mining technique flourished profitably until 1884. Rivers were being filled with mud and debris causing flooding of the rich farm lands in the valley.
At that time, a lawsuit brought by farmers against hydraulic mining was heard in Marysville, California where a decision known as "The Sawyer Decision", stopped all mining.
Under a special use permit, granted by the Department of Fish and Game, these hydraulic monitors were last used at the Pacific Slab Mine near Foresthill, California in 1970, which was documented by the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
Erected 2010 by Grand Parlor, Native Sons of the Golden West. (Marker Number 2009-7.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 39° 16.085′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. American Hill Diggings (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pioneer Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); Pioneer Emigrant Trail (approx. 0.3 miles away); Nevada City Methodist Church (approx. half a mile away); Pennsylvania Engine Co. No. 2 (approx. half a mile away); Ten Stamp Mill (approx. half a mile away); Nevada Theater (approx. half a mile away); Nevada City Public Library (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nevada City.
Regarding Hydraulic Mining. "On January 7, 1884, after two years of litigation in the case of Woodruff vs. North Bloomfield Gravel Mining Company and over 2,000 witnesses with 20,000 pages of written testimony taken during the trial, Judge Lorenzo Sawyer’s decision was handed down. This decision did not stop miners from using the big water cannons but it did prohibit the discharge of debris in the Sierra Nevada regions. It imposed strict laws regarding any debris sent
Also see . . .
1. North Bloomfield Mining and Gravel Company. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on March 11, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. The Mining Debris case: Woodruff vs. North Bloomfield Gravel Mining Co. (January 7, 1884). Google Books:
The Sawyer Decision at "Reports of Cases Decided in the Circuit and District Courts of the United States for the Ninth Circuit, Volume 9" (Submitted on March 11, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2019, by James King of San Miguel, California. This page has been viewed 389 times since then and 66 times this year. Last updated on December 28, 2019, by James King of San Miguel, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 28, 2019, by James King of San Miguel, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
