03/04/2026
Here’s some mining history of the area up near camp. And at camp we have named our cabins after these mines and others in the area.
If you live in Grass Valley, there’s a good chance there are tunnels under your house.
Not a figure of speech. Empire Mine’s 367 miles of underground workings don’t stop at the park boundary. They run beneath the town — under streets, schools, businesses, backyards. Most people have no idea.
There’s a scale model in the visitor center that shows the whole thing. Honestly, it’s one of those moments where you just stand there and go “...wait, what?” The tunnels stretch farther than the drive from San Francisco to LA. Over 100 levels deep. The lowest point is a mile underground.
Miners went down in cage elevators called “skips.” Candlelight at first, then carbide lamps. 100-degree heat at the bottom. Three shifts, around the clock, for 106 years straight.
They pulled 5.8 million ounces of gold out of this mountain. At today’s prices, that’s north of $17 billion. A plaque in town says it plainly — within a one-mile radius, the Empire, North Star, and Idaho-Maryland mines made this the most concentrated gold district in the world.
The mine closed in 1956. The tools are still sitting on the workbenches. The forges are still standing. Nobody cleaned up. It’s like everyone just walked out one afternoon and never came back.
Next time you’re driving through Grass Valley, think about what’s underneath you.
📍 Empire Mine State Historic Park, Grass Valley
🗺️ nevadacountylandmarks.com
Tag someone from Grass Valley who needs to see this 👇
