Gold Rivers of Northern California

by Marjorie B. Giles
Illustrated by David N. Giles

An overview of the Yuba and Feather Rivers.  Two major gold bearing rivers of the 1849 California Gold Rush.

Trailblazers, settlers, entrepreneurs, heroes and scoundrels dug the gold that helped finance the Industrial Revolution.  The northern mine region remains unspoiled along the Yuba River: the nation's richest gold bearing river, still productive 150 years after the gold rush.  Gold Rivers explores the history, geology and resources of California's Yuba and Feather Rivers wilderness, north of the popularized Mother Lode region of gold rush activity.  Primitive conditions of early fortune seekers still prevail.

Illustrations and maps are included and thumbnail sketches of the founders, rascals and citizens of the era.  Early settlements are described as they roared and declined or developed new character and new foundations.

Current resources include recreational and cultural programs, parks and museums, and follow a diversity of populations through their shifting attitudes.

Geology ~ History ~ Natural Resources ~ Recreation ~ Arts ~ Cultural Diversity