PREFACE 



The Centennial Celebration of the discovery of gold at Coloma by 

 James W. Marshall on January 24, 1848, has stimulated renewed interest 

 in the Mother Lode of California and has brought forth a number of 

 new books, pamphlets and stories of the early pioneer days. Most of 

 this literature has to do with the history, life, and romance of the Gold 

 Rush period which vividly stamped upon the new western state a per- 

 sonality whic-h has by no means been erased during the past century 

 of industrial development. Few persons who enter the Sierran Gold 

 Belt, however, appreciate the full significance of its mineral wealth, 

 gain a clear picture of its extent and importance, or understand why 

 this district is credited with having: built the very foundation of the 

 State's civilization even as it still contributes to the firmness of its 

 industry and character. 



The position of the mines and quarries, the importance of the 

 mineral deposits, and the geologic reasons for their being are all features 

 which this Guidebook has endeavored to present. The traveler who is 

 desirous of information rather than speed can get a better understand- 

 ing of the region if he follows a map prepared with an accompanying 

 description logged carefully as to mileage. 



The charm of the old mining towns, which harmonize so perfectly 

 with the natural loveliness of the Sierran foothills, is due largely to the 

 surviving stone and brick structures of pioneer days. These old build- 

 ings, many of which are now in ruins, stand as mute evidence of the 

 early development of what is now called industrial minerals. Treat- 

 ment of this subject shows how the value of natural resources of the 

 country were immediately realized by the earliest settlers. 



In order to orient the reader as to the nature of the Sierra Nevada 

 and the place it occupies in relation to history, civilization, and eco- 

 nomics, several special articles have been contributed by various authors. 



To facilitate the reading of this Guidebook, especially while travel- 

 ing, footnote references and acknowledgments have been largely deleted 

 from the text. The published Geologic Folios, Professional Papers, and 

 other published reports of the United States Geological Survey, together 

 with unpublished maps and reports prepared by that agency in coopera- 



tion with the State Division of Mines, have formed the background of 

 the areal geology for the region. This has been very materially supple- 

 mented by the unpublished work and advice of Dr. N. L. Taliaferro of 

 the University of California, who has spent many years mapping the 

 geology of the region west of the Mother Lode. For the area between 

 Jacksonville and Angels Camp, unpublished geologic maps were supplied 

 by Federal geoolgists George Heyl, John Eric, Arvid Stromquist, C. M. 

 Swinney, and J. H. Wiese. The mapping between Jackson and Plymouth 

 was supplemented by the field data of T. C. Slater, who also supplied 

 data on the Central Eureka mine. Information concerning the mines 

 was generously provided by the following : W. A. Simpkins of the Empire 

 Star Mines Company, Ltd. ; C. C. Cushwa of the Spring Hill mine ; 

 Neil O'Donnell of the Idaho Maryland Mines Corporation ; C. A. Bennett 

 and H. U. Maxfield of the Sixteen to One mine ; D. C. Peacock of the 

 Eagle-Shawmut mine ; Mark Eudey of the Kennedy mine ; J. A. Burgess 

 of the Carson Hill mine ; P. R. Bradley, Jr. of the Harvard mine ; L. A. 

 Parsons of the Calaveras Cement Company; T. S. O'Brien of the Key- 

 stone mine ; C. E. Crandall of the Original Amador mine ; 0. E. Sehiffner 

 of the Lava Cap mine ; and Francis Frederick, Consulting Geologist and 

 Mining Engineer. 



It was necessary, in the compilation of the strip maps, to adjust 

 all the geology to fit the newly acquired base maps, i.e. the United States 

 Forest Service planimetric quadrangles and the new topographic sheets 

 (for the most part in the early stages of preparation) of the Federal 

 Geological Survey. An effort was made to include the names and loca- 

 tions of the older abandoned settlements as well as the existing towns. 

 The principal mines and mineral deposits are shown. The locations of 

 the historic monuments are indicated and mileage is shown for use in 

 location while traveling. In addition, symbols have been employed to 

 show the type of early structure described in the text on this subject. 



Ferry Building, San Francisco 

 May'lO, 1948 



OLAF P. JENKINS 

 Chief, Division of Mines 



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