Brown's Valley: Beginnings
Maidu Indians had made this valley their home for generations until gold was discovered on the Yuba River, June 2, 1848, by Jonas Spect disrupting their way of life forever. Miners flocked to the area, mining up and down the banks of the Yuba. In 1850 while Mr. Brown was using his new $80 scythe, he accidentally cut into a large reef of quartz exposing a rich vein of gold. Immediately staking his claim, he began mining, eventually taking out over $12,000. Mr. Brown left the area leaving only his name, giving this area the name of "Brown's Valley."
Marker is on Marysville Road 1 mile north of California Highway 20, on the right when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
