Foresthill Divide Museum

24601 Harrison Street, Foresthill, CA

Phone: (530) 367-3988
Hours: Open May thru October, Saturdays and Sundays: Noon – 4:00 pm
Admission: FREE!

To schedule a group tour, call (530) 367-3988.

The Forest Hill Divide Museum features exhibits on mining and on many other aspects of the history of the Foresthill and Iowa Hill Divides. The museum complex consists of the museum facility, a reconstructed Livery Stable/Blacksmith Shop, and the original Foresthill Jail, which was moved to the site. Over time, the town of Forest Hill became Foresthill, but the museum retains the area’s original name.

The Forest Hill and Iowa Hill Divides, east of Auburn, are rich in mining lore. The 49ers roamed the rugged river canyons of this region in search of richer strikes of that elusive treasure: gold! Early communities in this area included: Yankee Jim’s (1849); Todd’s Valley (1849); Deadwood (1852); Bath (1850); Iowa Hill (1853); Wisconsin Hill (1850); Elizabethtown (1850); Last Chance (1852); Bird’s Store (1849); and Forest Hill (1850).

Mining was a major occupation on the divides for many years. Placer mining quickly gave way here to hydraulic mining and drift mining. Some of Placer County’s most productive drift mines were located here. Among these were the Jennie Lind, the Hidden Treasure, the Mountain gate, the Dardanelles, the Jamison, the Paragon, the Sunny South, and the North Star.

When visiting Foresthill, take the time to tour the historic Main Street. On your way to Foresthill, look for the Monte Verde Inn, for the remains of Butcher Ranch, Grizzly bear House, and the grave of Old Joe, a Stagecoach horse that was shot and killed by a stagecoach robber.

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	Foresthill Divide Museum 24601 Harrison Street, Foresthill, CA Phone: (530) 367-3988 Hours: Open May thru October, Saturdays and Sundays: Noon – 4:00 pm Admission: FREE! To schedule a group tour, call (530) 367-3988. The Forest Hill Divide Museum features exhibits on mining and on many other aspects of the history of the Foresthill and Iowa Hill Divides. The museum complex consists of the museum facility, a reconstructed Livery Stable/Blacksmith Shop, and the original Foresthill Jail, which was moved to the site. Over time, the town of Forest Hill became Foresthill, but the museum retains the area’s original name. The Forest Hill and Iowa Hill Divides, east of Auburn, are rich in mining lore. The 49ers roamed the rugged river canyons of this region in search of richer strikes of that elusive treasure: gold! Early communities in this area included: Yankee Jim’s (1849); Todd’s Valley (1849); Deadwood (1852); Bath (1850); Iowa Hill (1853); Wisconsin Hill (1850); Elizabethtown (1850); Last Chance (1852); Bird’s Store (1849); and Forest Hill (1850). Mining was a major occupation on the divides for many years. Placer mining quickly gave way here to hydraulic mining and drift mining. Some of Placer County’s most productive drift mines were located here. Among these were the Jennie Lind, the Hidden Treasure, the Mountain gate, the Dardanelles, the Jamison, the Paragon, the Sunny South, and the North Star. When visiting Foresthill, take the time to tour the historic Main Street. On your way to Foresthill, look for the Monte Verde Inn, for the remains of Butcher Ranch, Grizzly bear House, and the grave of Old Joe, a Stagecoach horse that was shot and killed by a stagecoach robber.