A Visit To The Downieville Museum

Reprinted with permission by the Sierra County Historical Society from The Sierran of August, 1970 Vol 2, No.2

As it happens, now, fifty-three years later, the museum doesn't seem to have aged at all. But, due to the construction of a building next door, this view of the entire length of the building has disappeared.

A visit to the Downieville Museum is a must for anyone who may be passing through, staying at, or visiting near the historic and picturesque old town. The museum is housed in an ancient, rustic stone building constructed in 1852. The building was first used as a Chinese store, as it then stood in the center of the Chinese district of Downieville. The store passed into the hands of the Meroux family. In 1932 the building was donated to Downieville (and Sierra County) by M. B. Meroux. The Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West act as custodians of the museum now, and the hostess who greets visitors is Mrs. Ruth Drury.

Mrs Drury is a pleasant woman who came to Sierra County many years ago to teach school, married into one of the pioneer families of Sierra County (in the Goodyears Bar area), and has lived in Sierra County ever since. She knows the history of the area because of her own interest, and she has studied the various displays in the museum so that she can tell an interesting tale about everything on display. She is more than happy to talk to any interested visitors.

There is no specific plan or order to the displays in the old museum. They simply went on display as they were donated. To the purist, the displays may seem somewhat confused and crammed into available space, but for the history buff wishing an enjoyable hour or two of viewing pleasure, the effect of the displays is one of a charming historical potpourri. Each display has a small card telling what it is, when used, and in some cases, by whom donated. Further information can be supplied by Mrs. Drury.

It would be impossible to list all the displays at the museum in a short article. Those displays which seemed to be the most interesting to visitors on August 10, 1970, have been included in the following brief description:

1. In the back of the museum is a stack of some twenty old cash books, ledgers, account books and receipt books. These come from such places as Alleghany in 1881, Forest City in 1897, Alleghany mines in 1874, Eureka in 1878, and many other parts of the County.
2. In two main areas (but also noted all over the museum) is a great collection of pictures from all parts of Sierra County. This year Mrs. Drury is featuring a display of old pictures of Sierra City which were recently donated to the Museum. Another display of interest is one of the Young America Mine; all pictures in this display were taken before the turn of the century. Of special interest are pictures of many settlements which have ceased to exist.
3. Roller skates made in the 1870’s and used in Downieville at the Stackus Skating Rink in the 1880’s are on display. Following is an advertisement for the skating rink taken from the Sierra County Tribune (Downieville), June 7, ‘83:
4. Old Clothing. The museum has several old dresses which are well preserved and would be of interest to those interested in styles and fabrics worn by Sierra County ladies over the past 120 years.
5. Old Skies. Several old pairs of skies, over nine feet long are on display. (For people interest in the history of skiing in Sierra County see Sierra County Historical Bulletin, Vol. II, #1)
6. A Chinese tea canister, some four feet high, made of tin, but obviously oriental in design, was used in the store in the days, before the 1870’s, when the museum area of Downieville was a Chinatown.
7. There is an excellent display of Civil War muskets, as well as other old guns used in the Gold Rush Era.
8. A beautiful gold scale used in the Forest City area is on display. Gold from the Bald Mountain Mine, the Ruby Mine, the Bald Mountain Extension, and other mines, was weighed on the scales. Although made some hundred years ago, it is said that the scales can weigh the mark of a pencil on a piece of paper.
9. There is an interesting map of Sierra County made in 1874, which shows many of the then existing camps which no longer exist.
10. Leather fire hoses from Downieville Fire Department of the 1800’s are on display. The department was then known as the Mountain Torrent Department.

The museum has on file newspapers published in Downieville from 1854 to the present time. The collection of newspapers is reported to be one of the best in California. The Museum and Museum annex (across the street from the museum building) has an excellent reproduction of a gold stamp mill. This display alone would be worth a special trip to the museum. There are many other displays-flags, china, wooden washing machines, books, magazines, etc., which will fascinate any visitor to the museum.

The museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, except for Monday, when it is closed. It opens in May and will close this year (1970) in late October.