Near Blairsden-Graeagle in Plumas County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Winter in the Sierra

A Struggle For Survival

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 30, 2012

1. Winter in the Sierra Marker

[Photo Captions]
Bottom Right
Photos above: Winter view overlooking Eureka Mills, Mammoth Mill is on the right. Note the ski tracks and longboard skis in the snow outside the buildings. Circa 1870. Our cart trestle to the Mohawk Mill with the tram terminus building in background, aerial tram from the 76 mine... closed for the season. Fashionable attire for a social call on skis

Bottom Center
Photo above: Eureka Lake, with boarding house on right.

Photo on right:
Image of Johnsville, mines and mills, 1890 [Click image to enlarge]

Inscription. Back in its hey-day Eureka Mills, high up on the mountainside, was a primarily a family town. Jamison City, down near the creek, was a place for single miners to live.

The mountainside took on quite a village appearance. There were two stores, a hotel with a saloon, two other saloons, a bootmaker’s shop, livery stable and a few dwellings. People would often ride the empty ore carts back up the mountain to the townsite. After completion of the Mohawk Mill in 1878, Johnsville became the primary town for miners and their families.

Life was difficult during the winter months in this area. Much like today people in the 1870’s endured many months of deep, heavy snow. Have you ever gone cross-country skiing? How would you do on eight foot long, 15 pound wooden skis? Imagine busting through untracked, waist-deep snow, day after day, month after month, all the while wearing formal attire. How would you get to work or school? How would you get the groceries home?

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Environment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.

Location. 39° 45.435′ N, 120° 41.99′ W. Marker is near Blairsden-Graeagle, California, in Plumas County. Marker can be reached from Johnsville - McCrea Road (County Highway A14). This marker is located at the

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mining exhibit across the road from the Eureka-Plumas State Park museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blairsden-Graeagle CA 96103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Thar’s Gold in Them Hills! (a few steps from this marker); Emigrant Trail (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pioneer Ski Area of America (about 600 feet away); Johnsville Firehouse (approx. 0.3 miles away); Longboard Ski Races (approx. 0.6 miles away); Jamison City, Eureka Mine and Mill, Johnstown (approx. 4.1 miles away); a different marker also named Jamison City, Eureka Mine and Mill, Johnstown (approx. 4.7 miles away); Twenty Mile House (approx. 6½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blairsden-Graeagle.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 486 times since then and 12 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on June 16, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

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