Browns Valley in Yuba County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Brown's Valley: Beginnings

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 7, 2011

1. Browns Valley: Beginnings Marker

Inscription. Maidu Indians had made this valley their home for generations until gold was discovered on the Yuba River, June 2, 1848, by Jonas Spect disrupting their way of life forever. Miners flocked to the area, mining up and down the banks of the Yuba. In 1850 while Mr. Brown was using his new $80 scythe, he accidentally cut into a large reef of quartz exposing a rich vein of gold. Immediately staking his claim, he began mining, eventually taking out over $12,000. Mr. Brown left the area leaving only his name, giving this area the name of "Brown's Valley."

Erected 2010 by Wm. Bull Meek - Wm. Morris Stewart Chapter No. 10, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 2, 1864.

Location. 39° 14.41′ N, 121° 24.547′ W. Marker is in Browns Valley, California, in Yuba County. It is on Marysville Road one mile north of California Highway 20, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in front of the Browns Valley Post Office. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5538 Marysville Road, Browns Valley CA 95918, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro,

in Sacramento Valley,

and specifically in the Central Valley.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the

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crow flies: Browns Valley: 1850 – 1860 (here, next to this marker); Donnebrouge Mine (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Henness Pass Road – Brown’s Valley (approx. 0.8 miles away); Hammon Grove (approx. 0.9 miles away); Timbuctoo (approx. 1.6 miles away); a different marker also named Timbuctoo (approx. 4.3 miles away); The Yuba River Bridge at Parks Bar (approx. 4.3 miles away); Loma Rica Grange Hall #802 (approx. 5 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Browns Valley.

Additional keywords. Gold Rush

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 7, 2011

2. Browns Valley: Beginnings Marker

This marker, seen on the left, and the "Browns Valley: 1850 - 1860" marker seen on the right, are two of the 10 markers erected by ECV Chapter 10 on 10/10/10.

Early View of Browns Valley image. Click for full size.

3. Early View of Browns Valley

This photo showing an early view of the town of Browns Valley is on display at the Browns Valley Mercantile across the street from the marker.

Peoria Memorial Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 7, 2011

4. Peoria Memorial Park

Peoria Memorial Park, Brown's Valley. This cemetery, started in 1855, was named after the long-gone Peoria House, a stage stop on the road from Marysville to Downieville.

Peoria Cemetery - 1855 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 8, 2011

5. Peoria Cemetery - 1855

Sign at the intersection of Marysville Road and the dirt road leading to the cemetery.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,730 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 9, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4, 5. submitted on February 26, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.