Little Towns on The Mother Lode Highway – Hwy 49 – Road Trip Day 10 Ep.25

Neek sez:

California Highway 49 is named after the 49ers who came to this state in their search for gold in 1849.  It begins in Oakhurst on State Route 41 and travels north toward the Sierra Nevadas and ends at Vinton somewhat near the Nevada border.

We decided to take the Northern route towards Auburn, California bypassing the interstate.  Driving past the little towns along the highway in Sierra County was a pretty amazing experience.  Sierra County was established in 1852 and was populated by the Maidu and Washoe Native People.  With the discovery of gold, approximately 16,000 miners (The 49er’s) settled there between 1848 and 1860.  When the gold rush ended, the population decreased to the current 3,000.  Some of the towns like Sierra City had a population of only 225 people.  While the North Yuba River rushed past us on the side of the highway, we drove into a higher elevation to see some snow in the Yuba Pass.

We made a pit stop at Bassett’s Station in the Sierras where the elevation was at 5,400 feet (1645.92 meters).  The sun was warm but the air was a bit brisk.

In 1871, Jacob and Mary Bassett opened the station. Since then, Bassett’s has been a stage stop, hotel, telegraph station, logging camp, saw mill, and gas station. Presently Bassetts serves the numerous mountain workers in the area but also serves the visitors who travel there to enjoy the beautiful mountains, lakes and forests.

In the 1930’s a two story structure became part of Bassetts Station as a motel and inn. The building site was relocated north to make way for the newly built highway in the 1960’s.

It was a great visit and learning experience but we were on our way to discover more of the little towns and their unique stories on the Mother Lode Highway!

Just a note, Chief Tawonka in the video was not a real person.  He was just made up by the tobacco company to sell cigars.  I can imagine some guy in a suit making up the enigmatic statement underneath the statue.  Really?