#gold-rush-history

#gold-rush-history

Tucked between Lassen Volcanic National Park 's calderas and the winding roads that dip toward the Feather River Canyon, Plumas County feels like California before the crowds. During my recent drive through the area, I was transported to an undiscovered, more nostalgic version of the state, where narrow mountain highways lead to glassy alpine lakes and former gold rush communities still ooze with small-town charm.

Shortly after lightning sparked dozens of wildfires in California's Sierra Nevada foothills this week, author Stephen Provost received news that devastated him. Fire was sweeping through Chinese Camp, a Gold Rush-era town that a group of Chinese miners founded in the 19th century after they were driven out of a nearby settlement. The town's almost 100 residents were forced to evacuate and news reports showed flames consuming historic buildings.