Amador Mines

In the  1850's, just after gold was discovered at Coloma in nearby El Dorado County, Andrew Kennedy discovered the claim that was to become world famous as the Kennedy Mine in the area that is now the city of Jackson. It would turn out to be one of the richest in the Mother Lode. With its extremely deep mine shafts (the deepest plunged down 5,912 feet), it was to be productive for 50 years.

Amador County was established in 1854. Almost incorporated into neighboring Calaveras County, the new county narrowly missed being named "Washington" by the state legislature, but the name "Amador" was substituted in the State Assembly. The name paid homage to ranchero Jose Maria Amador, after whom Amador City is named, and as a translation from Spanish for "love of gold."

  As the county developed, towns rose up around early mining settlements and homes and buildings reflecting the architectural styles popular in that time were built. Many still stand. Mining continued until 1942, when Presidential edict closed mines on behalf of the war effort. However, in recent years, shaft mining activity has been resumed between the towns of Amador City and Sutter Creek, and gold panning continues to thrill hobbyists and professional gold miners, alike.

On Highway 49 between Jackson and Plymouth, one can still view large metal gallus frames, metal buildings, concrete foundation blocks and rusted machinery abandoned after Amador's mines were worked out. The county's mines produced over $160 million in gold between the early 1850's and 1950.

Argonaut Mine: Location: On Highway 49 at the top of the hill between the city of Jackson and Martell. Site of the worst gold mining tragedy in California history. In 1922, 47 miners died from deadly gas freed by a mine fire. From a vertical depth of 5,570 feet, the mine produced over $25 million in gold.

Black Chasm Cavern: National Natural Landmark: Location: Volcano. Designated a National Natural Landmark in 1976 by the National Park Service in recognition of its outstanding natural beauty and geological significance.  50-minute cavern tours are available daily from 9am - 5pm May - October, and from 10am - 4pm November - April.  From the Colossal Room, decorated with flowstones, stalactites and stalagmites, gaze 70 feet below to glimpses of the lake made brilliant blue from naturally occurring calcium bicarbonate.  In the Landmark Room view thousands of spectacular, white helictites which twist and turn in defiance of gravity, sparkling, crystal covered formations and beautiful draperies and flowstones.  Above ground you can try your hand at gemstone mining, in their attractive flume system, where everyone is guaranteed to make a find! Open every day!

Central Eureka Mine: Location: Highway 49 to the traffic light at Ridge Road. East on Ridge Road one block and you can see the gallus frame of the old Central Eureka Mine. It was one of the few that continued operating after the 1942 Presidential edict to close the mines on behalf of the war effort. It produced $36 million during its operation.

Plymouth Consolidated Mine: Location: city of Plymouth. Only the gallus frame ruin remains. The most northern of the major Mother Lode mines in the county; total production was in excess of $13.5 million.   

Sutter Gold Mine: Location: Highway 49 between Sutter Creek and Amador City.  Don a hard hat and board the Boss Buggy Shuttle for a thrilling 1-hour journey underground into Sutter Gold Mine, a real hard rock gold mine. Learn about the history of gold mining from ancient times to the present day.  Walk right into the heart of the Mother Lode (a quartz vein structure that contains gold) made famous during the Gold Rush.  Tours are available daily 9am - 5pm May - October, and 10 am - 4pm November - April. Note: Everyone who goes underground is required to wear a hardhat for the entire tour making this tour unsuitable for very young children and infants. Above ground learn how to pan for gold, or mine for gemstones.  Watch a movie in the Gold Theatre on modern hard rock mining, or the Gold Rush, and browse the Company Store for gold nuggets, jewelry, books, mining equipment and souvenir items.  

Kennedy Gold Mine: Location: Highway 49, Jackson, across from Argonaut Lane. The Kennedy Gold Mine has gone through a metamorphosis in the last few years changing from what looked like an abandoned property into a thriving historical attraction, In the late 1850s, Andrew Kennedy discovered gold in an outcropping of quartz. The mine produced over $34.2 million in gold, making it one of the richest gold mines in the world. With a vertical depth of 5,912 feet, it was also the deepest mine in North America when it was closed by the War Production Board in 1942.
Visitors to the Kennedy Gold Mine can see the 125-foot high metal head frame, tour several mining buildings, and learn the history of the Kennedy Mine.
The Mine tours, which are guided by volunteers, take visitors up and down the hills on the property. Comfortable walking or hiking shoes are advised. the Kennedy Tailing Wheels Park is located nearby, featuring the remaining tailing wheels that were used to carry the processed rock from the Kennedy Mine to an impound dam.
Self-guided tours are available. Tour season runs mid-March through October on weekends only. Special tours and bus tours can be arranged for weekdays and off-season. Call the Kennedy Gold Mine office at 209-223-9542 for more information and directions.

Roaring Camp Mining Company: Located at Clinton Bar in Mokelumne River Canyon. Forty-niner gold camp with prospectors cabins, saloon, snack bar. Daily guided tours on Mokelumne River. Tour will take you into beautiful, remote Mokelumne Canyon, once mined by the 49ers and still being mined today. There you will see a placer gold mine operation, Wildlife and Mining Artifacts Museum, the ruins of the past, pan for gold, collect rocks, and enjoy river swimming. Lunch, snacks, cold drinks, gold jewelry, and prospecting supplies are available at the trading post. 13010 Tabeau Road, Pine Grove.  Mailing address: P.O. Box 278, Pine Grove, CA 95665. Open May-September. (209) 296-4100, or roaringcamp@volcano.net.