Near Washington in Nevada County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Alpha and Omega

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 26, 2011

1. Alpha and Omega Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

One mile north of here were the towns of Alpha and Omega, named by gold miners in the early 1850’s. The tremendous hydraulic diggings, visible from near this point, engulfed most of the original townsites. Alpha was the birthplace of famed opera singer Emma Nevada. Mining at Omega continued until 1949; and lumbering operations are carried on there today.

Erected 1958 by California State Park Commission. (Marker Number 628-629.)

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 California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.

Location. 39° 18.913′ N, 120° 45.146′ W. Marker is near Washington, California, in Nevada County. Marker is on State Highway 20, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washington CA 95986, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Nevada City Road - Washington Ridge Summit (within shouting distance of this marker); Nevada City Road - Opposite Washington Diggings

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(approx. 2.2 miles away); Ormonde (approx. 3.1 miles away); Emigrant Trail to Nevada City (approx. 3.3 miles away); The History of This Area (approx. 3.4 miles away); Washington (approx. 3.9 miles away); Washington Elementary School (approx. 3.9 miles away); Brimskill Building (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Washington.

More about this marker. Alpha Hydraulic Diggings was designated California Historical Landmark No. 628 and the Omega Hydraulic Diggings and Townsite was designated California Historical Landmark No. 629. Both were designated on January 29, 1958.

The Alpha Mine produced in excess of $1,500,000 in gold. It was worked out by 1880. The Omega produced over $2,500,000 by 1880 and was operated off and on until 1949.

Also see . . . Alpha Hydraulic Diggings - Wikipedia. (Submitted on July 27, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 26, 2011

2. Alpha and Omega Marker

View of the Alpha hydraulic mines. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 26, 2011

3. View of the Alpha hydraulic mines.

View of the Omega hydraulic mines. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 26, 2011

4. View of the Omega hydraulic mines.

Overland Emigrant Trail, near the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 26, 2011

5. Overland Emigrant Trail, near the Marker

Someone has a sense of humor.

Overland Emigant Trail Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 26, 2011

6. Overland Emigant Trail Marker

Nevada City Route N.C.R. #02. Alpha Omega Mines Overlook - Emigrant Trail. Nevada City Route - 1850 and later. Placed by Trails West, Inc. - Reno, Nevada.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,389 times since then and 93 times this year. Last updated on July 28, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. It was the Marker of the Week August 7, 2011. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 27, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.