Winter in the Sierra
A Struggle For Survival
Back in its hey-day Eureka Mills, high up on the mountainside, was a primarily a family town. Jamison City, down near the creek, was a place for single miners to live.
The mountainside took on quite a village appearance. There were two stores, a hotel with a saloon, two other saloons, a bootmaker’s shop, livery stable and a few dwellings. People would often ride the empty ore carts back up the mountain to the townsite. After completion of the Mohawk Mill in 1878, Johnsville became the primary town for miners and their families.
Life was difficult during the winter months in this area. Much like today people in the 1870’s endured many months of deep, heavy snow. Have you ever gone cross-country skiing? How would you do on eight foot long, 15 pound wooden skis? Imagine busting through untracked, waist-deep snow, day after day, month after month, all the while wearing formal attire. How would you get to work or school? How would you get the groceries home?
Marker can be reached from Johnsville - McCrea Road (County Highway A14).
Courtesy hmdb.org
