Alleghany in Sierra County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Forest City

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 2, 2013

1. Forest City Marker

Inscription. Settled in 1850 by Mr. Savage, the first locations on Smith’s Flat were made in 1851. The company consisted of Big Smith Frank Powers, Thomas Dunham, Elihu Mosgrove and Davie Lewis. The diggings were named Brownsville in 1852 by a company of sailors; Bob Ritshie, Little Ned and Mr. Brown. The area was also known as Yomana and Forks of Oregon Creek. With a growth to 1400 in nine months time, the camp was renamed Elizaville, after Mrs. W.S. Davis and in 1853 Forest City by Mrs. Moody. In May 1854, the town boasted 7 provision stores, 4 clothing stores, a tin shop, 2 livery stables, 2 meat markets, 4 blacksmiths and 5 hotels, the two largest being the Read Hose (T.A. Read, Prop.) and the Merchants Hotel ( Mr. Pratt, Prop.). In 1854 the diggings on the flat paid an ounce a day clear to the man. The best paying mines were Live Yankee, Dutch Empire, Hawkeys, Little Rock, Rough and Ready, Get Away, Don Jose, Manhattan, American, Free and Easy, and Girard. Forest City is one of the richest gold areas in the Northern Mines Region.

Erected 1993 by E Clampus Vitus, Major William Downie Chapter No. 1849.

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 month for this entry is May 1854.

Location. 39° 29.388′ N, 120° 51.185′ W. Marker

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is in Alleghany, California, in Sierra County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and School Street, on the left when traveling east on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alleghany CA 95910, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sierra Nevada.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Forest City Brewery (within shouting distance of this marker); Forest City Dance Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Stamp Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Rite Here (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bovee Building (approx. 1.4 miles away); Alleghany (approx. 1½ miles away); The Sixteen to One Mine (approx. 1.7 miles away); Henness Pass Road (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alleghany.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Bald Mountain Mine (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Forest City, California - Ghost Town Explorers. Located on a tributary of Oregon Creek, the camp was first settled in 1852 and given the name Brownsville, which was changed to Elizaville, and then in 1854 Forest City. The post office was established in 1854 and the name of the town was abbreviated to Forest in 1895. (Submitted on June 13, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 2, 2013

2. Forest City Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 725 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 13, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.