Holiday Open House at the Empire Mine

"The car won't start."

Those were the first words I heard when I woke up yesterday morning. My husband had planned to run off early to the nearest Starbucks to get some work done before everyone else was up. Instead, he had to wait for AAA to tow him to the nearest mechanic to replace his battery. Of course, the mechanic found other things to fix. Four hours and $700 later, we were ready to start our day.

But what to do? We had floated around the idea of visiting the Sacramento Delta area, but we had hoped for an early start so we could do it right.

Then we remembered Empire Mine State Historic Park, out in Grass Valley, which offers a "Holiday Open House" each year on Thanksgiving weekend. We had stumbled upon it several years ago -- without the youngest kids, and we've always wanted to return with them.

Of course, our two middle school girls are now too old to care about seeing Santa and Mrs. Claus in the old Clubhouse. But everyone in the family is able to enjoy the warm apple cider and cookies that docents in Victorian garb were handing out in the old cottage that was the home of the mine's original owner.

The park is on the grounds of California's largest gold mine, which was in operation for the first half of the 20th century. It is located up in the Sierra foothills, not far from the site where the gold rush began in 1849. There is still plenty of gold in them thar hills, but retrieving more of it became so cost prohibitive that the mine was closed in 1956.

The land was sold to the state and recreated as a park in the 1970's, but the mining company that had owned it retained the mineral rights, so if the price of gold ever gets to the point where it makes financial sense, the mine could start operating again.

This park has something for everyone in our family. My sister and I enjoy the beautiful buildings, the forested grounds and the landscaped gardens of the property. 

My geologist husband and the kids all enjoy touring what's left of the mine, which includes a short jaunt into the shaft. It was cold up there, so Linda and I wisely stayed behind in the gift shop to do some Chanukah browsing. They had several beautiful (and reasonably priced) items for sale, including some gorgeously preserved fossils, onyx keepsake boxes and gold flake samples.

(My sister and brother-in-law have been complaining about all the family members who are sitting here on their laptops instead of socializing, so I have to cut this post short. I will add some photos to this post, soon.)

Comments

[McSwain]

Seriously, I'm a teacher who teaches rocks/minerals AND the Gold Rush, and I've never heard of this place.

I can't wait to go! Thank you!