The Hwy '49er Series:
This is a series of caches meant to highlight some interesting and, maybe even, some more obscure historical facts about California's gold mining history. Most of these caches will be placed in the Sierra Nevada foothills in the general vicinity of Hwy 49, the Gold Country Highway. Highway 49 starts in the south at Oakhurst, Madera County, and continues generally northwest, weaving through many of the gold mining communities of Tuolumne, Calaveras, Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Nevada, Yuba, Sierra, and Plumas counties until it reaches its northern terminus at State Route 70, in Vinton.
An Invitation:
All local cachers are invited to add to this series of caches, placing and calling out new locations of gold mining history along highway 49. New caches can be of any type according to cache publishing guidelines. It would be great to see this series eventually run the entire stretch of Hwy 49. Also, please share any information you may have about the postings in your logs. There's bound to be some intersting facts out there that can be shared with everyone.
A Warning - Please be careful when caching in any areas of the foothills. These hills are home to many creatures, including slithering ones. Please be aware of your surroundings and keep a watchful eye, especially if you have children with you while caching.
Princeton Mine - This hard rock mine was located at Mount Bullion and was also known as the Mount Bullion Mine . The Princeton Mine was discovered in 1852, and produced over $4.4 million in gold. Its main period of activity ended in 1915, but it was operated intermittently up until about 1942. In 1860 a 24-stamp mill was built at the mine. For most of its life it was the largest gold producer in the county. Its main shaft is 1660 feet long and inclined at a 45-60º angle. Its vertical depth is over 1350’. There's a pull-out along the road at GZ. The mine was located just south of the cache location on what is now private property. Please do not cross any fences or gates.
Sources: USGS Topographical Maps 1:24,000, 1973; Wikipedia.org; Ghost Towns & Mining Camps of California, Remi Nadeau, 1999; history.webroots. ancestory.com; Images of America - Mariposa County, Leroy Radanovich, 2005; mariposachamber.org