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Interactive Discussions: Nevada County History and Ancestors
This page contains queries submitted by the public that can be answered by the public. We encourage queries that relate to Nevada County history and genealogy.
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QUERY OF THE MONTH: CAMEL HUMP
POST A REPLY -- pleeeeze
C'mon all you local history experts--you know some of the answers. Tell us what you know!!!
See "Post a Reply" below each question.
INDEX TO QUERIES
(in order submitted)
QUERIES (most recent shown first)
QUERY #12: Submitted April 2008--Keller Mine
Does anyone know the location of the Keller Mine. My Dad worked the mine when he was in college (the year was the same year Hitler invaded Holland). It was out of Graniteville on the river. Thank you for any help you can give.
This query was submitted by "ramprunner".
QUERY #11: Submitted April 2008--Blue Tent
How did Blue Tent get its name? Levi Straus connection?
This query was submitted by Randy.
Reply 1: The History of California Post Offices, 1849-1976 identifies Blue Tent as a Post Office from 21 March 1878 to 26 July 1889. It states that it was named for the first [earlier] habitation which was a blue tent.
Reply by Randy: I found an 1868 reference to Blue Tent as a town 4 mi from Nevada City. Clearly it precedes that date [1878]. Local resident of NC says that the tent was made by Levi Strouse [Straus]. Strouse was a tent maker in SF and Sacramento so there is some plausibility. I have reference to his tents being made of off-white canvas and striped cotton ticking but not Denim. Sometime after 1849 he began to make pants from [for] miner[s] out of canvas[--] at some point he began to use Denim. I am intrugued by the possible connection between Nevada County's Blue Tent and Levi Strouse.
Reply 2: Still no hint about Levi Straus at Blue Tent--but apparently he was responsible only for the canvas or denim in his overalls.A Jacob Davis of Reno deserves the credit for the 'rivets'.You can read about their connection at Nevada State Archives.
QUERY #10: Submitted April 2008--Cemetery in Grass Valley
Was there ever a cemetery in Grass Valley located in the area between Butler and Brighton Street. Specifically where Fawcett Street is?
This query was submitted by Tim--who knows a resident who senses the troubled spirit of a departed soul in the vicinity.
Reply: No record of a cemetery there. But part of the area between Butler and Brighton was occupied by the Sisters of Mercy Orphanage in the late 1800s until the 1930's. Perhaps the resident feels the lingering sorrow of a little orphan who once lived there.
QUERY # 9: Submitted February 2008--Anyone have info on John West and Eagle Tavern, Boston Ravine?
The NCHS Bulletin, Jan 2008 shows a drawing of the Eagle Tavern kept by John West. The source is Gleason's Pictorial Drawing Room Companion, p. 12. Two questions: Anyone know more about John West? Where can the Gleason source be viewed?
QUERY # 8: Submitted January 2008--What is Camel's Hump and how do you get there?
Do you drive from Dutch Flat or from You Bet Road to Lowell Hill Rd. and do you have to cross the Greenhorn or Bears Rivers and if so are there bridges. Thanks KJ
This query was submitted by Karen.
Webmaster reply: Good Question. See "WHAT IT IS" -- below. As to "HOW TO GET THERE" maybe someone from Dutch Flat has the answer.
WHAT IT IS
Camel Hump is shown as # 18 on thte "Historic Overland Emigrant Trail"-- map and guide prepared by Tahoe National Forest in the 1990s.
The guide states:
"Because the emigrant wagons were tall and top-heavy, they could easily tip over on steep side-hills. So the emigrants generally preferred to go up and over hills rather than try to skirt around them. As the emigrants followed this ridge down from Mule Springs, they came to this point and predictably they went straight up and over this hill that later became known as Camel's Hump. "
[The Guide gives driving instructions which presume the driver is going east to west along the emigrant trail]
It then advises: "Continue down Lowell Hill Road 4- 3/4 miles. Cross the small bridge over Steephollow Creek....[and later] Continue on Lowell HIll Road 2-1/4 miles. Turn left onto Red Dog Road and go 1-1/8 miles. Turn right onto You Bet Road, go 4-1/2 miles to Hwy 174. At Hwy 174 you are 7 miles from Colfax and Hwy 80 to the left....."
HOW TO GET THERE
You could surely get there from the Nevada County side (north side) of the Bear River taking Lowell Hill Road from You Bet Road to Red Dog Road to Lowell Hill Road. Camel Hump (Lookout) is approximately opposite Dutch Flat (across the Bear River).
Old topo maps indicate a road 'crossing' of the Bear River just west of Dutch Flat in Placer County. The road crosses the river --supposedly-- and proceeds to the site of old Little York where it intersects the Lowell Hill Road. Lowell Hill Road led to Camel Hump.
A drawing published in Jerry Brady's You Bet California, Gold Fever shows a road from Dutch Flat crossing the Bear River. The drawing was prepared by local author and historian, Dave Comstock.
I have heard rumors that such a crossing exists -- from time to time. (A crossing might be a structure subject to frequent wash-outs. Historically it might have been merely a fording place.) But I don't really know.
Here are a few maps to help you judge. I have added red circles to show possible crossing place. I have added red rectangles to show Camel Hump.
Contemporary Map: Dave Comstock's drawing shows a Bear River crossing at elevation 2488 ft.
Contemporary topographic map of Northern California showing Camel Hump. (Ambiguous about crossing of the Bear River.)
Historic topographic map, U.S.G.S.1898 Colfax Quadrangle, showing crossing and Camel Hump.I have circled "Camel Hump".
QUERY # 7:Submitted December 2007--William Alexander Graham of GV
There is a family story that concerns the death of my Grandfather in a mining accident that occured in or around Grass Valley, California [circa 1930-38].
To date I have been unable to confirm any of the story. There must be some truth to the story because I have photographs of Grass Valley in the 1930's that show the Holbrooke Hotel, the Minit Cafe, Jones Hospital, Holmes and Hooper Funeral Parlour the Golden Center Mine, Holmes and Hooper Funeral Parlour, and my Grandfather's gravesite in an unidentified cemetery.
The information on my Granfather is as follows:
Name: William Alexander Graham, DOB: August 1, 1884 in Lucknow, Ontario Canada
William was working in a Gold mine in or around Grass Valey in about 1930 to 1938. He was leaving the mine after a shift when an accident occured that caused him to be crushed from the waist down. He was taken to the hospital (Jones Hospital?) where he lived for a few days before dying. He is burried (possibly by Holmes and Hooper) in a cemetery in the Grass Valley area.
I do not know how to find on-line information about who is burried in the cemetaries at Grass Valley nor do I know how to find out about workers at the Golden Center Mine or even about the Jones Hospital or newspaper articles that may contain an obituary or even a story about the accident. I cant even seem to find confirmation of his death.
Do you have any suggestions for me? Any help from any one would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any suggestions that you may be able to make.
This query was submitted by Donna Simpson of Edmonton, Alberta in Canada.
Webmaster reply: You can obtain research help by mail from the Searls Library 214 Church St. or the Doris Foley Library for Historical Research at 211 North Pine. Both are in Nevada City, CA 95959. The Foley Library has cemetery, mortuary and death records. They charge $13/ hour for research. If you obtain the death date on your own then you can ask the staff to look up the obituary---the fee is $3. You may also be able to find records of the Golden Center Mine at Searls or Foley.
Reply directly to Donna Simpson
OR
POST A REPLY TO #7 - William Alexander Graham
QUERY # 6:Submitted September 2007--discovery of "Empire Mine".
I am researching the original discovery of what became the Empire Mine,
which eventually became the largest and most productive gold mine in
California. There are two pioneer families with a written account of their
involvement in the discovery of the mine. The families are the Roberts and
Peeples.My query is: are there any records of claims, sales, etc. from the period
1850 or 1851 when the mine was discovered or sold?
According to the account of the Peeples and Roberts families George R.
Roberts and Abraham Peeples were lumbering in the region when George R.
Roberts accidentally discovered some gold on his boot he had picked up from
a quartz outcrop. George R. Roberts and Abraham Peeples were 49ers who then
asked a few friends to join them and help secure their claims. But, the
water table was too high and the shafts turned into wells. So they sold out.
The question is: Was it George R. Roberts or George D. Roberts who made the
original discovery. Most sources say either just George Roberts or George
D. Roberts.
George R. Roberts and Abraham Peeples are documented 49ers who later moved
to Tulare County and then on to Arizona where they became quite prominent.
George D. Roberts is a documented pioneer of the gold rush and Nevada
County. He was, however, a man with a very shady reputation, especially in
mine speculation. George D. Roberts stayed in the Grass Valley/Nevada City
area, while George R. Roberts and Abraham Peeples left the area soon after
1850/'51.
I understand the early claim records from this period are no longer extant.
Does anyone know of any surviving records that might clear this question?
So my query is are there any records of claims, sales, etc. from the period
1850 or 1851 when the mine was discovered or sold?
If it can be confirmed that it was George R. Roberts who was the original
discoverers then I can supply photographs of Roberts and Peeples to the
Empire Mine State Park and local historical societies. I may also be able
to secure copies of the family journals and such relevant to George R.
Roberts and Abraham Peeples time in Nevada County.
This query was submitted by Thomas.
POST A REPLY to #6 - Empire Mine
QUERY # 5: Submitted August 2007--history of "Green/Greene House" in Grass Valley.
In the early 1940's my dad and his brother had a restaurant in Grass Valley called The Greene House or The Green House. Our last name is Greene so it could have been with or without the "E". The restaurant is still there and in operation. I was there about 9 years ago and went inside for lunch and talked to the owners and told them what I was told about the restaurant. I'm writing this to see if you have any history about the restaurant. I remember it being off of Main Street a few blocks and next to a gas station. Thanks for any information you can furnish.
This query was submitted by Mike.
QUERY # 4: Submitted August 2007--history of house on Grass Valley Highway, Glenbrook Basin.
The house was built in 1930 and sits back in across from Humpty Dumpty restaurant--very old green home that sits at the TOP of the driveway. Address is 11708 Nevada City Highway (or newly named 1708 East Main Street)
Original log cabin part of the home was like a bait and tackle shop for Lake Olympia.
Also:...a four plex apartment sits below house...may have been Amos Bottle liquor store in 60s or 70s. What was there prior to that?
To the right of house is "Manor House" mansion that sits at the corner of Manor Drive and once had a famous swimming pool in front where local kids got lessons. It has a rich history-- used to be a lodge dinnerhouse. Sign sitting in the shed in back says "Sugarpine Lodge" or something like that.
Looking for history and or photos of any of above as well as Glenbrook Drive, Manor Drive, Lake Olympia.
"I would love love love any old photos of this house or where the apartments sit on the street below us."
This query was submitted by Sharron of Grass Valley.
Webmaster reply: The best place to find old photos is the Searls Library in Nevada City. Another good place to research the history of properties is the Foley Library in Nevada City.
QUERY # 3: Submitted July 2007--pertains Col. William English and a settlement at Kentucky Ridge.
I have been researching a man named William English who brought a large number of slaves to the Grass Valley area in 1851 to do mining, and who died there a couple years later, "accidentally shot while dismounting from a horse" according to his family in South Carolina. Professor Sherman Savage, Rudolph Lapp, and others make brief mention of this "Kentucky Ridge" settlement of blacks that was driven off by vigilantes and later resettled in Placerville or Grass Valley, and how the English family forced them to repurchase their freedom a second time. Bean's 1867 history, and even the National Park System website mentions them. But I can't find anything detailed about the settlement. Here in Florida I don't have access to F.D. Calhoon's books or to materials about Nevada County that have not been excerpted online. I see that your journal had a 1985 article on blacks in early Nevada County. Can you lead me to more information? I know a lot about Mr. English's early career as a slaveowner in Florida, and there is a great story to be uncovered with a little help.
This query was submitted by PS of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
REPLIES:
Webmaster reply: The January NCHS Bulletin features an article, "Grass Valley's Hayti Hill" by Michel Janicot, which mentions Col. English and his slaves.
19 Feb 2008: Reply from arvamiami: I am not in California but I too have done research on William English in Miami and in California. I would be happy to compare information with you. AMP
POST A REPLY TO #3 - Col. English
QUERY # 2: Submitted July 2007--pertains to a house on Nevada Street once used as a make-shift hospital.
The owners of the yellow two-story historic home at the corner of Nevada and Washington Streets in Nevada City believe the home was built around 1857 and was used as a make-shift hospital during the pandemic of 1918.
This query was submitted by SW of Nevada City on behalf of the owners of 239 Nevada Street, They hope to find historic photos and info on this home.
Can any of you old-timers or historians out there help?
POST A REPLY TO #2 - Makeshift Hospital
QUERY # 1: Submitted July 2007--pertains to a hand-drawn map of Nevada City.
What might be the date of this map?
ENLARGE THE MAP
The map is accompanied by this letter--also undated--written by someone named "Gaston."
ENLARGE THE LETTER
This query was submitted by TR of San Jose. What is known so far is that Gaston lived at the corner of Mill and Broad across from the ME Church. Over the years we know that it was occupied in 1868 by the Hoels, in 1910 by the Widow, Mrs. Place and from 1928-1960 by George Hitchen's shoe store.
POST A REPLY TO #1 - Mill and Broad
Do you have an unsolved problem related to Nevada County history?
Want to share it here? We especially welcome queries accompanied by a photo for identification.
The Webmaster reserves the right to select subjects deemed suitable for this page--and to summarize the query for brevity. Not all queries will be posted.
Questions or complaints about how this page works should be directed to Webmaster--Nevada County History
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