Historic Highway 49 The Historic Highway 49 is the Gateway to California’s Gold Country. A drive to the historic highway provides the Northern California entertainment of re-visiting the bygone era of the Gold Rush in the state. Memorabilia of this unprecedented time can be found in state parks, exclusive museums and real gold mines that are located along the stretch of 326 miles of Highway 49. A number of excellent hotels are available along the route of Highway 49.
- Empire Mine State Park- This is one of the longest, oldest, deepest, largest and most productive gold mines in the state and an important North California attraction.
- Pelton Wheel and Mining Museum- This site is utilized to supply power to the North Star Mine.
- The Nevada Theatre – the oldest theatre that goes back to 1865
- American Victorian Museum- This American museum is totally focused on preserving, collecting, displaying art and craft and artifacts that hark back to the Victorian Period.
- Sutter's Fort in Sacramento – Named after John Sutter who was the first to settle in the Sacramento Valley, Sutter’s Fort is a major part of California history. Enjoy historic re-enactments on the weekends, or visit any day to learn about John Sutter, the fort and other California historical truths.
A drive towards the south along the historic Highway 49 presents a one of a kind Northern California attraction in the towns of Cool and Coloma. Gold Rush Northern California entertainment can be obtained from:
- Marshall Historic State Park, Coloma. This is the place where the celebrated James Marshall struck gold in 1849. The major Northern California recreation highlights are picnic, swimming, panning for gold, touring historic sites.
- Gold Discovery Museum. Information, maps and memorabilia pertaining to the period of the Gold Rush can be acquired.
- Sutter’s Mill – As one of the nations most historic sites, Sutter’s Mill is the site where James Marshall, hired by John Sutter, discovered Gold. Changing the nation, especially California, history forever, Sutter’s Mill is known world-wide as the site where the California Gold Rush began.
From Highway 50 if you can take a detour it will take you to Placerville, previously referred to by the sobriquet “Old Dry Diggings”, and later, as “Hangtown” because of the excessive use of hanging as capital punishment.- Gold Bug Mine Log Cabin Ravin Drive and Hangtown Gold Bug Park– sites of interest include an opportunity to see the model of a stamp mill employed in the process of ore extraction in the Joshua Hendy Stamp Mill.
- A tour of the mine provides for authentic Northern California entertainment
- The Hangman Tree Bar is a typical Northern California attraction. This commemorates the days when justice was meted through hanging from an ancient oak tree stump.
- Fountain Tallman Soda Factory Museum. It was built in 1853 and used in manufacturing soda pop. The ice and other supplies were kept cool by the walls that are almost two feet thick.
Amador City, Sutter Creek and Jackson on Highway 49 present further Northern California recreation. The Amador Whitney Museum, Western Hardrock Mining Museum, Sutter Gold Mine and Kennedy Mine all give glimpses into the days of zealous gold mining.
Other types of Northern California entertainment present along the Highway 49 include wine tasting. Some of the notable breweries and vineyards include the Jack Russell Brewing Co., Venezio Winery and the Madrona Vineyards.
Gold Rush whitewater rafting is another major Northern California attraction. The various types of Northern California recreation obtainable in this area incorporate mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding.
Contact Us for More Information about our communities or real estate in El Dorado Hills:
| | |
