In History Archive

Bottoms Up

Jacob Zeisz was born in Germany in 1825 and worked as a brewer before immigrating to California around 1852, where he owned mining interests along Cedar Ravine.

by Jerrie Beard

Ice Age

As Placerville grew so did Pearson’s business, expanding to offer butter, eggs and other necessities. He also operated one of the first soda fountains in the West.

by Hiliary Simon

Liquid Gold

During its heyday, the winery crushed between 50 and 100 tons of grapes each season, supplying El Dorado County, Utah and Nevada’s Comstock Lode towns with wine, cordials and brandy.

by Jerrie Beard

The Invisible Enemy

by Lisa M. Butler

Dashing Doc

by Lisa M. Butler

Sierra Scramble

Henry Clay Hooker went on to organize a most unusual event – a 70-mile turkey drive over the rugged Sierras.

by Lisa M. Butler

Lights, Camera, Action!

While the larger audiences and fancier theaters of San Francisco lured many acting troupes and individual performers, most of the companies took their shows inland to Sacramento, Stockton and the larger mining camps of the Mother Lode, including Old Hangtown.

by Lisa M. Butler

James Mason Hutchings: Part Two

Visitors arrived in increasing numbers to discover Yosemite’s splendid “beauties of nature.”

by Lisa M. Butler

James Mason Hutchings

Two years after the publication of his maxim, Hutchings would embark on a journey that would spark the imagination of an entire nation.

by Lisa M. Butler

Golden Heritage

by Lisa M. Butler