Nevada County Historical Society

Nevada County Historical Society Celebrating & Preserving the History of Nevada County, California Burns, President of the College of the Pacific.

The Nevada County Historical Society had its beginning in 1944 after being inspired by Dr. Robert E. Dr. Burns was interested in the preserving the history of the Mother Lode and gold country, and he spoke to the Grass Valley Lions Club about organizing a county historical society. Soon afterwards another meeting was held for people who were interested and a constitution and by-laws were adopted.

The objective of the new was to preserve every source of Nevada County history. The new society began with 48 members, and dues were a dollar a year! Monthly programs were planned to entertain and educate members, and the committee chairmen and groups formed the foundation of the society by collecting, displaying, and preserving the memorabilia of the county. Today, the Society maintains the Firehouse Museum in Nevada City, the Mining Museum in Grass Valley, the Searls Library in Nevada City, and the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum Nevada City.

Photo of Truckee River by Joe Lach, you can find more of his work here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/32470664@N08/
06/19/2026

Photo of Truckee River by Joe Lach, you can find more of his work here: 32470664@N08/" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://www.flickr.com/photos/32470664@N08/

Article found in Historical Clippings #1:
06/19/2026

Article found in Historical Clippings #1:

This August 28th 1858 article describes California roads:
06/19/2026

This August 28th 1858 article describes California roads:

Notation about Little Deer Creek in Nevada City, found in the Christine Freeman Directory:
06/19/2026

Notation about Little Deer Creek in Nevada City, found in the Christine Freeman Directory:

Photo of Truckee in the 1860's-70's:
06/19/2026

Photo of Truckee in the 1860's-70's:

Newspaper article describing Floriston (east of Truckee) found in the Historical Clippings 12 page 214-215:
06/18/2026

Newspaper article describing Floriston (east of Truckee) found in the Historical Clippings 12 page 214-215:

Rough & Ready Hotel around 1910. Gemini ai contributes this: Based on historical records of the actual Rough and Ready H...
06/18/2026

Rough & Ready Hotel around 1910. Gemini ai contributes this:

Based on historical records of the actual Rough and Ready Hotel (originally known as the Downey House) in Nevada County, California, the original photo dates to circa 1910.

Here is some historical context that helps pin down the timeline:

The Building: Following a devastating fire in 1853, the hotel was constructed in 1854 by Mary Downey, one of the town's early settlers. It served as a central hub for the town, housing a store, bar, dance hall, hotel lobby, and the post office (as seen on the signs in your original image).

The Proprietors: Around the turn of the century, the hotel was operated by Sam and Rose Fisher. The style of clothing worn by the four individuals on the boardwalk—particularly the long, high-collared white dresses and the men's waistcoats and hats—perfectly aligns with the late Edwardian era of the 1900s to 1910s.

The Demise: The historic structure continued to operate up until 1946, shortly after which it was dismantled. A market was later built on the site in 1948.

"The Last of the Oustomahs" was an article found in the March 1960 NCHS Bulletin:
06/18/2026

"The Last of the Oustomahs" was an article found in the March 1960 NCHS Bulletin:

Address

161 Nevada City Highway
Nevada City, CA
95959

Opening Hours

Monday 1pm - 4pm
Tuesday 1pm - 4pm
Wednesday 1pm - 4pm
Thursday 1pm - 4pm
Friday 1pm - 4pm
Saturday 1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+15302647569

Website

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