Forest Hill Divide Historical Society

09/05/2022

A big shout out and thank you to Johnny of Worton’s for saving the day Saturday! He lent us hay bales when our other source couldn’t deliver at the last minute.
We appreciate all that Worton’s does for Foresthill ❤️

09/03/2022

Troy is setting up your front row VIP seats for tomorrow’s performance and Gold Rush education by the California Rangers at the Heritage Festival at Memorial Park 10-4. Great music, food, booths, blacksmiths & our museum ⛏

08/28/2022

This is a really cool thing in Northern California!

🌲 Sturgeon’s Mill Will Be Open September 10-11! 🌲

We invite you to step back into history at our working Steam Powered Mill Museum. The mill will be open on Saturday & Sunday, September 10th & 11th from 10 AM-3 PM each day! Join us for live demonstrations and docent led tours under the historic giant redwoods. Free parking is available.

The cook shack will be open for delicious lunchtime snacks and meals that you can enjoy in our beautiful redwood picnic grounds. Due to the nature of the mill, no dogs, alcohol or recreational drugs are allowed. We can’t wait to see you!

07/31/2022

We will be sponsoring the California Rangers with the Foresthill Divide Chamber this year. Great entertainment!

Heritage Festival Saturday Sept 3rd, 10-4pm LeRoy E Botts Memorial Park. Vendor Applications available: Click on link:https://www.foresthillchamber.com/2022/09/03/87191/foresthill-heritage-festival-celebrate-our-history/

07/28/2022

The Forest Hill Divide Historical Society is holding their next meeting on September 19th, at 6pm at the Museum. If you are not a member and would like to join, please drop by the museum and pick up an application, membership is only $10.00 a year or you can join for a lifetime for only $150.00. The Museum is currently open Noon to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday through Labor Day weekend.

We are looking to fill some board positions and our meetings are only every other month so it's not a huge commitment. If you are interested please reach out to us directly by sending using Facebook Messenger. Sandy Simester or myself, Annie DeMaria-Norris will get back to you.

Enjoy your summer. ~ Annie, President, Forest Hill Divide Historical Society

07/27/2022

One of our long time volunteer docents, Tyler Harkness passed away on July 21, 2022. He also served as a Foresthill Fire District volunteer Director for over 10 years, was a member of the Friends of the Library and video recorded our Forum meetings and other events. Our condolences go out to his family.

07/06/2022

Forest Hill Divide Historical Society blacksmiths Troy Simester, Ted Back and Chuck McAllister at this year’s Fourth of July Celebration. There was a great attendance and everyone seemed to be having a good time.

04/25/2022

Please be on the look out for anyone who now has a couple of new anvils and some blacksmithing tools. Our Blacksmithing shop was broken into and several items taken. If you know anything about this, please contact the Placer County Sheriff's Office to report it.

04/11/2022

I know the train never made it through our Divide like some of our founders had hoped but this will be cool to see this summer.

BIGBOY #4014 is coming to Truckee July 7, unless its more likely the morning of the 8th. Stay Tuned.
From the Official Union Pacific Steam Club page.
Union Pacific's famed Big Boy No. 4014 is set to return to the tracks this summer for its "West Coast Steam Tour." Kicking off June 26 from Cheyenne, Wyoming, this year's tour will celebrate Union Pacific's 160th anniversary, railroad heritage and the communities the railroad serves, visiting the Pacific Northwest for the first time since its return to service.
The Big Boy will be on display in four cities:
July 6, 2022: Sparks, Nevada
July 8-9, 2022: Roseville, California
July 15-16, 2022: Portland, Oregon
July 21-22, 2022: Boise, Idaho
Display days include locomotive viewing, access to the "Experience the Union Pacific Rail Car," a multi-media walk-through exhibition that provides a glimpse at the past while telling the story of modern-day railroading, and live Q&A with the Steam Crew.
Big Boy No. 4014 will leave the Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming, June 26, making brief whistle-stops in dozens of communities in Wyoming, Nevada, California, Oregon, Idaho and Utah. Further details for these stops will be released to the Steam Club in May.

04/05/2022

Come to this Saturday’s Spring Craft Fair for our blacksmith items and books.

03/13/2022

Great story

Photo taken July 8, 1906 in Last Chance while investigating the murder of Willie Polifka. Despite the captions on the photo, Adams was not undersheriff. He was a court reporter and in 1890 was appointed assistant city marshal in Auburn.

03/09/2022

Thanks Foresthill Divide Chamber of Commerce and Debbie Guidi !

Foresthill Historical Society is making authentic candle holders and preparing for a wonderful experience to share the history of Foresthill. Blacksmith professionals, Troy, Cam & Adam are ready to teach soon! This craftwork can currently be found at The Outpost! Be a seasoned Foresthill historian!

02/26/2022

Do you love Foresthill and want to help preserve its history? Join the Forest Hill Divide Historical Society and come to our next meeting. We are also currently looking for docents to volunteer at the Museum this summer. We only ask you to commit to an average of two days each month over the summer. It's a great way to learn about our town's history and meet new people. Message me for more information if your interested, or leave us a comment

01/13/2022

Vintage News Reel of Blizzard of 1952

Great old video shared by Lynette Westbury Baird

01/12/2022

Ricky's Historical Tidbits - Ep. #5 Foresthill Bridge

A good history of the Foresthill Bridge

12/24/2021

We have a set in our Forest Hill Divide Museum. Thanks to Placer County Museums for this article.

Here's an Artifact Highlight concerning Horse Bells. I'm told these are pretty much the same ones Santa uses on his sleigh. To read more about them, and to hear them ring, follow this link: https://express.adobe.com/page/FxCsiFcsSYCF0/

12/23/2021

Mastering the Mountains

Mastering the Mountains

The rugged natural beauty of Placer County is one of its most defining features. In 1869 when the Transcontinental Railroad was being built, these features c...

12/18/2021

Don’t forget we have several books available at The Outpost in Foresthill for your holiday gift giving- History of Todd Valley, Arcadia books on Mining Camps, Hughes Bros. Mill.
They are open Wednesday through Sunday 11-5.

10/27/2021

This is a great Placer County historical picture

Imagine! Back before the 1930s, when it snowed, that was it for heading over Donner Pass. There was no snow plowing to keep the roads open. Here we see the control gates at Baxter's. No travel over the summit until spring!

10/23/2021

A History of Iowa Hill, CA

A History of Iowa Hill, CA

See the story

10/16/2021

Don’t forget our dinner meeting is Monday night , 10/18 at 6 pm.

10/11/2021

If anyone is planning on attending our dinner next Monday, the 18th, yesterday was the deadline to RSVP. I am calling the caterer today, 10/11, so this is the last call ☎️ (530-367-3535)
We can’t guarantee a spot at the dinner table otherwise but you can see the speaker at about 7 pm.

10/01/2021

Even though our museum is closed for the season, Troy and Sandy will open the museum for tours by appointment. Please call us at (530) 367-3535 and we are happy to set a time to meet you there.

09/29/2021

Congrats to Iowa Hill Store

In honor of the reopening of the New Iowa Hill Store:

𝕊𝕙𝕠𝕡𝕡𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝔻𝕦𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔾𝕠𝕝𝕕 ℝ𝕦𝕤𝕙

This is one area where the early settlers of Iowa Hill had it easier than present-day residents. There were plenty of stores available, including “three large grocery stores, … five dry-goods and clothing stores, one fancy store, three variety stores, … two hardware and tinware stores, and two butcher shops” according to the Directory of the County of Placer for the Year 1861. Other communities on the Divide, such as Wisconsin Hill, Monona Flat, and Damascus, also had thriving business districts.

Over time, attrition from fires and a declining population reduced the business part of town to one grocery store (Macy’s) and one combination store/bar/Post Office/assaying office (the “old brick building”) by 1920. All of the other towns on the Divide had died out by then.

Macy’s Red & White Store was built next to the Macy home, and survived for 50 years before it was destroyed by fire on January 11, 1949 when an oil heating stove exploded. The store was rebuilt, only to succumb again to flames on June 24, 1956.

The old brick building store was originally built ~1854 by Joseph Colgan and operated for 115 years until it burned on July 19, 1968. A detailed history of the store is provided in the book 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘰𝘸𝘢 𝘏𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘝𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘦 2: 𝘛𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘰𝘸𝘢 𝘏𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦.

Less than two years after the old store burned, Iowa Hill got its first new business in 80-some years when two couples—Grover and Mary Parker with Robert and Margie Brooks—opened the “new” Iowa Hill Store across the street. Initially operated by Herbert “Hub” and Bonnie Cantrell, its grand opening was on February 21, 1970. The establishment included a general store, restaurant, bar, Post Office, and gas station (the gas station has since been eliminated).

Once again in business Wednesday thru Sunday 7am-7pm, the store also functions as a community center and cafe. Stop by and say hello and enjoy a meal!

photo credit to Lynea Daniels

09/14/2021

So cool about the town of Iowa Hill and their store, post office, community center, and cafe!

In honor of the reopening of the New Iowa Hill Store:

𝕊𝕙𝕠𝕡𝕡𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝔻𝕦𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔾𝕠𝕝𝕕 ℝ𝕦𝕤𝕙

This is one area where the early settlers of Iowa Hill had it easier than present-day residents. There were plenty of stores available, including “three large grocery stores, … five dry-goods and clothing stores, one fancy store, three variety stores, … two hardware and tinware stores, and two butcher shops” according to the Directory of the County of Placer for the Year 1861. Other communities on the Divide, such as Wisconsin Hill, Monona Flat, and Damascus, also had thriving business districts.

Over time, attrition from fires and a declining population reduced the business part of town to one grocery store (Macy’s) and one combination store/bar/Post Office/assaying office (the “old brick building”) by 1920. All of the other towns on the Divide had died out by then.

Macy’s Red & White Store was built next to the Macy home, and survived for 50 years before it was destroyed by fire on January 11, 1949 when an oil heating stove exploded. The store was rebuilt, only to succumb again to flames on June 24, 1956.

The old brick building store was originally built ~1854 by Joseph Colgan and operated for 115 years until it burned on July 19, 1968. A detailed history of the store is provided in the book 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘰𝘸𝘢 𝘏𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘝𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘦 2: 𝘛𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘰𝘸𝘢 𝘏𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦.

Less than two years after the old store burned, Iowa Hill got its first new business in 80-some years when two couples—Grover and Mary Parker with Robert and Margie Brooks—opened the “new” Iowa Hill Store across the street. Initially operated by Herbert “Hub” and Bonnie Cantrell, its grand opening was on February 21, 1970. The establishment included a general store, restaurant, bar, Post Office, and gas station (the gas station has since been eliminated).

Once again in business Wednesday thru Sunday 7am-7pm, the store also functions as a community center and cafe. Stop by and say hello and enjoy a meal!

photo credit to Lynea Daniels

08/29/2021

Due to the even worse air quality than last weekend, our Forest Hill Divide Museum and Blacksmith Shop will be closed today. Stay healthy and fingers crossed we can have our Heritage Festival next Saturday 🤞

08/22/2021

Due to the HAZARDOUS air quality TODAY- the blacksmith shop and museum will be closed in order to allow you & our volunteers to stay home and healthy. We hope you will visit us next weekend or for Heritage Festival Saturday, September 4, 10-4. Our last day this season is Sunday, September 5, 12-4.
We appreciate your support and invite you to become a member of the Forest Hill Divide Historical Society.
We have planned a catered dinner and speaker for Monday, October 18 at 6pm at Veteran’s Memorial Hall. Cost is $15 and please rsvp to Annie DeMaria-Norris 916-206-4479 by October 10. All are welcome.

08/13/2021

Just in case you need to know we have courting candles and triangle dinner bells made by our museum blacksmiths for sale at the museum (Sat-Sun)and at The Outpost (Thur-Sun)

08/02/2021

This was a great post by our blacksmith, Cam 😊

07/10/2021

This weekend continues to be very hot. Our museum will be open. However, because we love our blacksmiths and want them to remain healthy, we have asked them not to fire up the forge and work in even hotter conditions.

07/02/2021

This is a recent article written by Christina Richter about the history of the Placer County women’s jail. Quite interesting.

06/21/2021

Our open house weekend is Heritage Festival, Labor Day weekend

The Heritage Trail Museums Tour is back, offering free museum admission in Placer County all summer long. Select museums ranging from Roseville to North Lake Tahoe will offer family-fun activities, historical reenactments, guided tours, hands-on crafting and much more. Check out the full list of participating museums and free dates here https://www.placer.ca.gov/7378/Heritage-Trail-museum-tour

02/07/2021

We have our books at the Miner’s Camp Pop Up again and have added these two books!

01/31/2021

The Foresthill Divide Museum Grounds

https://spark.adobe.com/page/loJuExYb64ZMN
Here is a new grounds tour presented by the staff of Placer County Museums. Nice descriptions of the machinery!

See the story

12/14/2020

Thanks to our wonderful Foresthill community for supporting us by purchasing our local history books and in the process you supported the Christmas Shop pop up at Miner’s Camp.
In case you missed getting a book, we will have more in the shop this Thursday-Sunday 11-5.
Wishing you a happy, healthy holiday season and a great 2021!

12/10/2020

We will also have a few copies of “A Brief History of Foresthill “ at the Foresthill Christmas Shop-compiled by the Forest Hill Divide Historical Society.

12/10/2020

For those of you with a connection to our lumber mill past or curious- we have at great book at the Foresthill Christmas Shop at Miner’s Camp. “A Pictorial History of Hughes Brothers Lumber Company “ This edition is now in color!

12/02/2020

We have had inquiries about the “Bits of Todd Valley History” book. We now have copies. Great for newcomers and TV history buffs. There are a few copies at the Christmas Shop across from Brewmasters at Miners Camp. They are open Thursday through Sunday 11-5. You can also PM me , Sandy Simester and I can get you a copy.

11/30/2020

A big thank you to Snowy Peaks Tree Farm and the Jones family for supporting Foresthill Divide Historical Society and Foresthill Fabric Friends. We had a booth there this weekend and enjoyed seeing all the friendly people with excitement for their holiday plans. Also, thank you to those who made a donation/purchase of items handcrafted by our blacksmiths.
Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season 🦌⛄️🎉🎄🏔🔔🌟💝🎅🏼

11/25/2020

The 100-miler: Part 13 - Gordy Ainsleigh

The 100-miler: Part 13 - Gordy Ainsleigh

Gordy Ainsleigh covered the Western States Trail on foot in 1974, but he was not the first. 53 others also covered the trail on foot about a week later.

11/18/2020

Just posted by Placer County Museums. For more pictures, go to www.foresthillhistory.org.

The Hidden Treasure Mine was founded in 1875 on the Foresthill Divide by William Cameron and Michael Harold Power. As the mine became successful and more workers came to the area with their families, the towns of Sunny South and Bullion were established. The mine continued to operate until 1911 and it is estimated that in total four to five million dollars in gold had been recovered. This photograph shows the mine and employees in 1877.

11/14/2020

Thanks Placer County Museums. The current Forest House is the 4th one built in the 40’s and remodeled since then. Now an event venue and private.
I loved the days in the 80’s when the diner served Lumberjack breakfast special. The breakfasts were hardy!

10/25/2020

Cemetery Symbolism

Interesting information about cemeteries. Thanks Placer County Museums.

See the story

07/17/2020

Golden Drift Museum

Golden Drift Museum

See the story

06/26/2020

Marjorie Drone Obituary - Auburn, CA

The passing of one of the great women of our town. You will be missed by all, Marge Drone

Celebrate the life of Marjorie Drone, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Chapel of the Hills.

06/20/2020

Photos from Placer County Museums's post

05/22/2020

A little bit about Memorial Day

KNOW YOUR HISTORY: Memorial Day was started by former slaves on May, 1, 1865 in Charleston, SC to honor 257 dead Union Soldiers who had been buried in a mass grave in a Confederate prison camp. They dug up the bodies and worked for 2 weeks to give them a proper burial as gratitude for fighting for their freedom. They then held a parade of 10,000 people led by 2,800 Black children where they marched, sang and celebrated.

Thanks to Abstrakt Goldsmith for this nugget of history that most of us never learned in school.

05/19/2020

www.placer.ca.gov

Placer County Museums offers these great videos to watch especially now that museums remain closed

04/27/2020

Foresthill woman, 100, recalls life as an African American in the foothills

One amazing woman that has lived in our community for many years.

Ella Bea Surratt, one of a handful of African Americans remaining in this Sierra foothills town, looks forward to celebrating her 100th birthday Saturday with about 200 friends and relatives in the green wooden house where she has lived for more than 60 years.

04/21/2020

The Very True Strange Tale of Yankee Jim

Informative video- Troy, on behalf of the Forest Hill Divide Historical Society, assisted with a tour of the museum.
For clarification, Troy is the President of the Forest Hill Divide Historical Society not the director of the museum. Ralph Gibson is Administrator of Placer County Museums.

Traveling east on Interstate 80 near the town of Colfax, if you were to exit and find the Yankee Jims Bridge and then take the Yankee Jims Road 14 miles sout...