Grass Valley in Nevada County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Discovery of Gold at Gold Hill

Gold Hill Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 13, 2011

1. Gold Hill Marker

Inscription.
The tablet commemorates the discovery of gold-bearing quartz and the beginning of quartz mining in California.
The discovery was made on Gold Hill by George Knight, October 1850.

The occurrence of gold-bearing quartz was undoubtedly noted here and elsewhere about the same time or previously, but the above discovery created the great excitement that started the development of quartz mining into a great industry.

The Gold Hill Mine from 1850 to 1857 is credited with a total production of $4,000,000.00

Erected 1929 by Quartz Parlor No. 58 N.S.G.W. and Manzanita Parlor No. 29 N.D.G.W. (Marker Number 297.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1850.

Location. 39° 12.756′ N, 121° 4.308′ W. Marker is in Grass Valley, California, in Nevada County. Marker is at the intersection of Jenkins Street and Hocking Street, on the left when traveling north on Jenkins Street. Marker is the centerpiece of a small park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Jenkins Street, Grass Valley CA 95945, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within walking distance of this marker. Empire House (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Patrick’s Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); Mount Saint Mary’s Convent and Academy (approx. ¼ mile away); Nevada County Traction Co. (approx. 0.3 miles away); North Star Mine Powerhouse (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lola Montez 1819 - 1861 (approx. half a mile away); Historic Emmanuel Episcopal Church (approx. half a mile away); Grass Valley Library (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grass Valley.

Regarding Discovery of Gold at Gold Hill. This site is California Historical Landmark No. 297.

Also see . . . Gold Hill, Nevada County. A short wikipedia article on the history of Gold Hill and the discovery of quartz gold. (Submitted on November 14, 2011.)

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 13, 2011

2. Gold Hill Marker

Dedication Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 13, 2011

3. Dedication Plaque

Sign at Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 13, 2011

4. Sign at Street

1850 Quartz Discovery
Grass Valley Gold Quartz Discovery

Directional Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 13, 2011

5. Directional Sign

Gold Hill Marker, where quartz gold was first discovered in California.

Sketch of Entrance to the Gold Hill Mine image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Henry B. Brown, Artist, circa 1852

6. Sketch of Entrance to the Gold Hill Mine

Courtesy of UC Berkeley - Bancroft Library

Discovery of Gold at Gold Hill Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 13, 2011

7. Discovery of Gold at Gold Hill Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 887 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 14, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 6. submitted on November 14, 2011. 7. submitted on November 14, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.