Empire Mine State Historic Park, Grass Valley, CA

On Sunday, while Dave watched football all day, I went out to explore Empire Mine State Historic Park in Grass Valley.  After reading the reviews of this park online, it sounded like it was worth checking out.  I was not disappointed.

This historic park tells the story of hard-rock gold mining and its significance in California's history.  The Empire was the oldest, largest, and richest gold mine in the Grass Valley area.

I paid the $5 entrance fee plus an extra $2 to go on the guided cottage tour.  I did not pay for the mine tour since I was able to a self-guided tour of that area.  The park was not too busy and I was the only customer for the cottage tour.  My tour guide, Paul, was one of 250 volunteers who work at the park.

Paul, my tour guide

 

First, Paul told me about the history of the mine, including details and pictures of the families involved.  Then we went on a walk to tour the clubhouse, which was built as a place to entertain wealthy visitors, mostly from the San Francisco area.  The clubhouse contained a bowling alley, squash court, billiards room, a ballroom,  a bar, as well as a few rooms for overnight guests, and outside, a tennis court.

The mine clubhouse

In 1850, flecks of gold were found in a surface outcropping of quartz where the park's main parking lot is now located.   Hearing the news, hundreds of miners flocked to this area to stake out the customary 40-foot by 30-foot placer claim.   They soon discovered that they lacked the skills necessary to tunnel deep into the earth. 

Granite with flecks of gold

The original owner, George Roberts, became discouraged and sold his claim for $350.  In 1879, Willam Bourn, Jr. took over management of the mine after his father's death.  At that time, the mine was thought to be non-profitable and was about to be closed.  Bourn reorganized the company and by 1884 the operation was making a profit once again.

The headframe supported the track which carried the men, equipment, and rock to and from the mine.

Much of the Empire's success was due to George W. Starr, who served as superintendent until 1929.   Skilled miners who emigrated from Cornwall, England, were experienced in hardrock tin and copper mining, and brought in experience, skill, and the latest technological advances in mining equipment.

A view down into a mine

Ore cars 

The Empire mine offices, built using waste granite.  

Remains of the mine stamping operation 

The highlight of the tour, in my opinion, was the tour of the Bourn cottage.  This house was 4600 square feet and used by Mr. Bourn and occasionally by his family when they came to visit.  It was called "the cottage" to distinguish it from the family's mansion in San Francisco.

The Bourn family "cottage"

The cottage was built in 1897 at a cost of $25,000 for the house and an additional $10,000 for landscaping the extensive grounds.  The lower wing was used for storage.  The main floor contained the kitchen, service rooms, a spacious living room, a dining room, and a reading room which was later converted to a bedroom after Mr. Bourn's stroke in 1922.  The family's four large bedrooms and two baths were across the front of the second floor.  Two bedrooms and one bath for the servants were located above the kitchen area.  The interior of the cottage is paneled in heart redwood.  The home was built with indoor plumbing, hot and cold running water, and electricity which was generated from the mine. 

Living room

Dining room, with a view out to the screened porch

Mr. Bourn's office and reading room

The system of bells used to summon the servants

A view of some of the grounds of the park

If you are ever in the Grass Valley, CA area, I highly recommend taking the time to visit this state park!