The Empire Mine

Beneath Grass Valley is a single network of mine passageways totaling 367 miles in length.

The Empire Mine opened in 1850, and over the years it acquired the North Star Mine and other mines, incorporating them into its network. The Empire was renowned for its important inventions and improvements in mining and milling equipment, and it had a respectable safety record, with only 26 deaths in its history. Engineers from other mines came to The Empire to study its operations. The mine closed in 1956 not because the gold ran out, but because it was no longer profitable to extract. The pumps were turned off and water filled the passageways.

The gold taken would have filled a seven foot cube. An average of one-half ounce of gold was taken from each ton of ore extracted. The Empire produced $130 million in gold, making it the richest of all California mines. (Next-richest was nearby Idaho-Maryland Group in Grass Valley, with $70 million.) The years 1929 to 1940 were very productive for The Empire, with 1,074,284 ounces of gold taken. Operations were suspended during World War II when gold mining was deemed unessential to the war effort.

The state acquired the property in 1975 and turned it into a park. Although the owners had sold off much equipment following the closure of the mine, some equipment and many of the buildings remained, giving the public a good understanding of California's mining operations. As for those 367 miles of passageways, everything below 150 feet is flooded, and it is unlikely anyone will go down there again.

Travel Tip: If you're in Grass Valley and in need of lunch, I recommend Christopher's Old World Deli at 206 Main Street. The food is great, the prices are reasonable, and the staff is very friendly. When the cashier told me when I purchased the $4 pint of 'Ol Republic porter beer that there would be one free refill. I turned to my wife and informed her she would be driving.