Sierra Bridge House was built over a two year period and was completed in 1959. The house was designed by renowned San Francisco based architect Francis Joseph McCarthy, whose credits include the Stanford University Library, St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Berkeley, and the public libraries for Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, San Leandro, and Stockton. The house was featured in the November 1960 issue of Sunset Magazine (reproduced at right) as well as in Redwood Homes and many other periodicals. In 1960 it was awarded the California Architects "Home of the Year".
The Maidu and Washoe Indians are the first known residents of Sierra County. During the summers, they came into the mountains to hunt and fish. During the fall and winter, they returned to the foothills and valleys below. When gold was discovered, emigration from around the world brought a new cultural era to the region. Mining camps and towns sprung up in Sierra County with each gold discovery. Some towns are just memories, but many still exist today.
Downieville, the County Seat of Sierra County, is located on Highway 49 at the forks of the North Yuba and Downie Rivers. Gold was discovered here in the summer of 1849. By May 1850, Downieville had 15 hotels and gambling houses, four bakeries and four butcher shops. As the population grew, the town served as a trading center for the Northern Mines. By the mid-1850's, Downieville was California's fifth largest town.
Sierra City is nine miles up Highway 49 from Sierra Bridge House. Main Street is charmingly narrow and lined with many turn of the century structures complete with wooden boardwalks. The Masonic Hall, built in 1864, is the oldest building in town.
The Kentucky Mine, Stamp Mill and Museum are located just east of Sierra City on Highway 49. The museum offers guided tours in the underground mine and also into California's only remaining workable gold ore stamp mill. The museum depicts the gold rush era of Sierra County, life in a mining camp, and the local Native American culture. The Foundry Museum in Downieville has personal tours available.
For more information visit the Sierra County Historical Society.
