Some of our most fond memories have been made during detours. Today, Steve, Bob, Jenny and I veered off our path to do a little tour of this quaint California Gold Rush Town, developed along the banks of Deer Creek. Civic leaders named the town Nevada, Spanish for “snow-covered,” in 1850 and the next year the newly incorporated city became the Nevada County seat. The town’s name was later changed to Nevada City after its title was borrowed by a new state to the east. Nevada City has had its share of firsts and famous people. Mark Twain lectured here. Former U.S. President Herbert Hoover lived and worked here as a gold miner. Three former U.S. senators, George Hearst, Aaron A. Sargent and William Morris Stewart, all lived here. What other reasons do we need for an explore?

Our first stop was at the South Yuba Canal Building and Ott’s Assay Office. These are the oldest business buildings in Nevada City. The South Yuba Canal Building (1855) houses the Chamber of Commerce. Ott’s (1857) is where James J. Ott assayed ore in 1859 that led to the famous Comstock Lode silver rush in Nevada and now houses a really cool independent bookstore- Harmony Books (yes, I did purchase a book, Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks).
A very cool pop in was at the Doris Foley Library for Historical Research. This awesome spot is dedicated to acquiring and preserving materials including, but not limited to books, manuscripts, photographs, letters, diaries, business records, official records, reports, minutes, maps, and personal papers relating to Nevada County. The Library, non-circulating, used for research, educational purposes, exhibition, and is part of the Nevada County Community Library system. It is housed in a Romanesque Revival architectural style Carnegie library building completed in 1907. The library is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I do love libraries!
Of all the interesting items in this library, we found these volumes of Insanity Records & Insane Commitments so intriguing and so plentiful (especially for such a small county).  Various people had the right to deem someone insane. We were told by the helpful volunteer that 19th- and 20th-century definitions of insanity differed markedly from current definitions. Alcoholics, the mentally challenged, or those suffering from various physical disorders were routinely committed to asylums during the period covered by these records.
These beautifully bound albums were full of hundreds of pre-written forms with blanks waiting to be filled in. Each included the patient's name and a number assigned at entry, date of entry, age, place of birth, how afflicted (Furious Mania, Erotomania, Imbecility, Hallucination, and Delirium of Grandeur, to name a few), name of person who committed the patient, length of stay, date of discharge (or death), and "remarks." Remarks include notes concerning the patient's release.

I loved this 1853 structure, the town's first brick building. Since it has been converted into a residence and two offices, which are non-conforming architecturally, it doesn't get a historical designation but I like it anyway.
This building, the Searls Law Office (1872) was the law office for three generations of this family. Niles Searls, who arrived in 1851, practiced law here from 1872 to 1885. He had been elected District Attorney in 1855, then District Judge for Nevada, Sierra and Yuba Counties, then became Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court in 1887. Fred Searls, his son, held the longest tenure in this building (1879-1929). He drafted the first incorporation papers of the hydroelectric industry of California. Carroll Searls, son of Fred, practiced here from 1915 to 1923; later became General Council of the Newmont Mining Company in New York City; used this office until November 4, 1970. Big history in such a small space.


The Nevada County Courthouse is the final rendition of the original courthouse on this site which burned in the 1856 fire. It was rebuilt as a two-story granite and brick building in Greek Revival style. The courthouse burned again in 1863, and some of the brick from the structure was used in the Masonic Hall. It was again rebuilt in 1864 as a two-story structure. In 1900 a third story was added. In 1937, the present Art Moderne façade was added, emphasizing the tall center section with emphatic vertical lines and the sweeping curved first story wings on each side. Characteristically, ornamentation is sparse. The building, designed by George C. Sellon, is considered to be such an outstanding example of the Art Moderne style that graduate students in architecture have come from the Atlantic coast to photograph and study it.
Scenes of Christmas were evident in nature.
🎝Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.𝅘𝅥𝅮


Steve discovered this last stop, the Women of Worth ReShop. This amazing group assists families in crisis, victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking to increase self-reliance and improve quality of life by helping them rebuild their lives with dignity, hope and safety. We love to help a good cause while getting fun treasures.