Sierra County
- Downieville Museum
- Loyalton Museum and Historical Park
- Sierra County Historical Society – Kentucky Mine and Museum
- Underground Gold Miners Museum
Photo Gallery (.mov)
Downieville Museum
330 Main Street
Downieville, CA 95936
Phone: (530) 289-3423
Located in a stone building that dates to 1852 with original iron doors and window shutters, the Downieville Museum has a collection of local artifacts that depicts the life of this community from its gold rush origins to the present day. The collection includes a variety of pictures of the community from early dates, pioneer portraits, a collection of paper goods and documents, as well as items that reflect 160 years of life in this community and surrounding area. A set of gold scales from an early business and a display with artifacts of the local Chinese community are some of the more interesting items on display.
The museum dates from 1932 when the building it is housed in was donated to the community by the heirs of JMB Meroux, an early pioneer. The original museum collection was initiated by former Sheriff George Bynon. Since it’s opening, the museum has been continuously operated by Naomi Parlor 36 of the Native Daughters of the Golden West and Downieville Parlor 62, Native Sons of the Golden West.
Loyalton Museum and Historical Park
105 Beckwith Road
Loyalton, CA 96118
Phone: (530) 993-6754
The Loyalton Museum is located in Loyalton at the city park. This historic building features displays on logging, agriculture, the Washoe Indians, and fraternal organizations including the Rebekah Lodge. Outdoor exhibits include logging wagons, a donkey engine, and farm equipment.
Sierra County Historical Society
Kentucky Mine Historic Park and Museum
P.O. Box 260
Sierra City CA 96125
Phone: (530) 862-1310
E-mail: historicalsociety@kentuckymine.org
The Sierra County Historical Society is an organization of people interested in preserving and promoting an appreciation of Sierra County's rich history. Our historic buildings and landscapes as they span over time into the present provide a rare and unique look into American History.
The Society operates the Museum at the Kentucky Mine Historic Park in Sierra City, holds an annual meeting at a Sierra County Historical Site, publishes a newsletter three times a year and conducts historical research. Members are sent notices of Society activities, receive our newsletter, The Sierran, and are admitted free of charge to the Kentucky Mine Museum and the tours.
Underground Gold Miners Museum
P.O. Box 907
Alleghany, CA 95910
Phone: (530) 287-3330
Fax: (530) 287-3455
E-mail: info@undergroundgold.com
Website: http://www.undergroundgold.com/ugmm.asp
Bringing the world of California's underground gold miners to light. Museum exhibits include local geology, the history of the town of Alleghany, the Alleghany mining district and the Sixteen to One Mine. The museum gift shop features gold-laced quartz specimens and jewelry from the Sixteen to One Mine as well as souvenirs, books, maps, geology specimens and t-shirts.
Underground Gold Miners Museum (UGMM) exists to tell the stories of the underground gold miners of California, explain the unique geology of the Alleghany Mining District and preserve the history of the towns and mines of the Alleghany Mining District. The museum is located in a livery stable (circa. 1900) that later served as the town's General Store for over 50 years.