California is full of beautiful places that bring us back for more adventures. It is also rich with gold history (pun intended). California is also home to some of our dearest friends. As school teachers, they know some of the best educational places to visit. One of those is the Empire Mine State Park.
Mining Offices
One of the coolest things we have done in California was the Drive-Thru Tree!
History
This is one of the oldest, deepest, and richest mines in North America. It was in operation for more than 100 years and extracted more than 5.8 mil. ounces of gold before it closed operations in 1956. The mine was huge, with 367 miles of shafts! There is an incredible model inside the museum that shows just how huge and intricate all those shafts were. Something I had never thought of was mines had to be pumped dry of their water. Once the mines were retired, they all naturally filled back in with water. In 1941, the greatest mine depth was over 11,000 feet, which was mindblowing.
Near the grounds of the summer house
In 1905, cyanide was used to dissolve the gold embedded in quartz rock. The gold would then leach out in liquid form. This method is still used in some places around the world. As if being in an actual mine shaft underground wasn’t dangerous enough!!! The more I have learned about the processes involved in gold mining the more I’m surprised the cost isn’t even higher than it is.
The mine closed during WWII when many minors enlisted. It re-opened in 1945, but gold was still only $35 an ounce and was costing more to extract than it was worth.
The Park
The park is 856 acres. You can see parts of the mining offices and even go down into the opening of one of the mines. That was a first for our family.
When we were visiting the blacksmith was in, and was doing a demonstration. This was not our first time seeing a blacksmith… we have been able to watch them at the Plumas Eureka State Park (another mining operation in CA).
One of my favorite parts was walking through the old offices, and seeing the old furniture and well-worn stairs. It’s just cool imagining what it was like back in the hustle and bustle mining days.
The grounds are so beautiful. The flowers and trees were such a treat.
The park is so beautiful. Many amazing trees!! You can sign up and see the inside of the estate (summer house), but we didn’t get to take part. The grounds of the estate are incredible. I could have spent my entire day there just walking around and enjoying the beauty. If I had the chance to do it again… I would absolutely pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic there.
There is a museum that shows amazing gems from various parts of the world, and you can learn more about the operation at this particular mine.
Amission is $5.00 per person. Those 5 and under are free.
The Empire Mine State Park is located at
10791 Empire St.
Grass Valley, CA
530-273-8522
