Spanish Creek Mines
Millions in gold were taken from the Spanish Creek Mines between 1851 and 1905. To supply the miners the small town of New Boston sprang up at the mouth of Wahponsey Creek. Complete with a toll gate, apple orchard and gardens, in the 1870’s it was covered by slickins from the large hydraulic mines nearby. Water to mine was brought from Silver Lake, and Upper Spanish Creek by a ditch, some 20 miles long. Gopher Hill, Plumas County’s largest hydraulic mine, is now the county dump. Also through this area ran the historic Beckwourth Emigrant Trail.
Marker can be reached from the intersection of Bucks Lake Road (County Route 119) and Snake Lake Road, on the left when traveling east.
Courtesy hmdb.org
