Existing comment:
As placer gold deposits were depleted, miners began following gold to its source in quartz veins deep within the mountains.
Early mine shafts were sunk as steep inclines following the gold bearing veins. Later, vertical shafts and crosscuts were built forming an intricate system of tunnels and excavations stretching hundreds of miles beneath the surface.
There were a few large mining companies which employed thousands: however, the many small mines dotting the countryside accounted for much of California's fame as a gold producing state.
Bodie, Cuyamaca Rancho, Plumas Eureka and Empire Mine State Parks contain hard-rock mines. |