The Gold Rush that brought so many to our beautiful state ended a long time ago but there are plenty of unique destinations and landmarks that it left behind, including the Kentucky Mine Historic Park in Sierra City. Visiting this humble museum and historic site feels like entering into the past where the sights and sounds of the Gold Rush still live on. Open only during the summer, visitors who stumble upon this old gold mine will have the opportunity to see an operating stamp mill and experience what it was like to be a hard rock miner in the 19th century. Sound like fun? Start planning a family field trip to this unique destination for a fun (and informative) Gold Rush-style adventure.
Located in the small community of Sierra City is a fascinating reminder of California’s Gold Rush days. As the last of its kind, the Kentucky Mine Historic Park and Museum is a great destination for your next family field trip.
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The Gold Rush truly does live on at the Kentucky Mine. This hidden gem of a park is home to one of the best preserved stamp mills from the Gold Rush era. Not only is it still standing, but it still operates too! Visitors can see it come to life and operate just like it did in the 1850s.
Kentucky Mine and Museum/Facebook
The mining park is typically open seven days a week from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The guided gold mine and stamp mill tours are $7 for adults and $3.50 for children, and are given at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. daily. Admission to the museum is just $2 for adults and $.50 for children.
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Definitely plan on taking the tour if you make the trip out here. The guided tour is loaded with information and allows you to truly experience what the day-in-a-life of a hard rock miner might’ve felt and sounded like.
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On the tour, you’ll learn all about the history of gold mining in Sierra City and the tools that were used for mining. You’ll even get to go into the mine itself before touring the old water machine and, of course, the stamp mill.
Kentucky Mine and Museum/Facebook
Seeing the 70-foot-tall mill in real life, you can’t help but think about all the history that resides within its walls. Once inside, the tour guide will fire up the mill and show you how it crushed the ore to separate the gold. It’s a fascinating process and a rare glimpse at early mining technology in action.
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Be sure to drop by the Mine Museum, gift shop, and bookstore after touring the gold mine and stamp mill. This hidden piece of history is definitely worth checking out and will leave you with a stronger appreciation for the iconic era that played such a huge role in forming our state.
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Did you know about this gold mine historic park hiding in Sierra City? We love discovering gems of the past like this one. Tell us about your favorite Gold Rush-era destination in the comments below.
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Kentucky Mine and Museum/Facebook
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Address: 100 Kentucky Mine Rd, Sierra City, CA 96125, USA
