Kentucky Mine Trestle Bridge Replacement Fully Funded

SIERRA CITY — Sierra County Historical Society (SCHS) met its goal of raising the final $120,000 needed for the replacement of the trestle at the Kentucky Mine. These funds will augment a $96,000 grant from the Federal Scenic Highway Discretionary Grant Program and a $24,000 match by Sierra County. Costs had risen dramatically since the initial application in 2021, and the lowest competitive bid was double the available funding. In early November, SCHS stepped up with a vigorous fundraising campaign set to end on December 1. At the December 3, 2024 Board meeting, Sierra County Supervisors voted unanimously to allocate the funding, if needed, to ensure funding of the project and award the contract, but generous donations continued to flow in after December 1, and SCHS raised $120,285. Because of this extraordinary response by donors, visitors will once again be able to enjoy the spectacular view from the trestle as they follow the route of the ore from the mine portal and through the stamp mill. Sierra County Historical Society is grateful to all those who took part in preserving our rich gold-mining history.