The Deep Mines: Exploring the Empire Mine in Grass Valley
If you've ever dreamt of striking it rich, or just want to see where some seriously determined people dug a hole to the center of the earth, you need to head to Grass Valley. The California Gold Rush wasn't all about panning in rivers; sometimes it involved blasting 367 miles of tunnels deep underground. Welcome to the Empire Mine, one of the oldest, largest, and most prosperous gold mines in North American history. In this deep dive—pun absolutely intended—we're going to explore the sprawling history of the Empire Mine, the luxurious lifestyle of its owners, the grueling reality of its miners, and exactly how you can visit this spectacular piece of California history today. Grab your hard hats and let's go. The History of the Empire Mine: Striking the Mother Lode The story of the Empire Mine begins in 1850, shortly after the initial frenzy of the Gold Rush. While many prospectors were busy panning for gold flakes in the rivers, a lumberjack named George Roberts ...