Few events offer the ability to step backwards in time quite like Gold Discovery Days, an annual event that took place July 20 and 21 in the town of Johnsville. Presented by the Plumas-Eureka State Park Association, the event transported attendees to a bygone era, showcasing the rich mining history of the town and Plumas County as a whole.
The occasion captured the imagination of attendees of all ages by catering to a variety of interests, from playful gold panning (often a refreshing dip in the cool water for the children) to carpentry without the use of modern tools. In addition to the hands-on exhibits, the event satisfied the “bookworm crowd” with a thorough history of the science around the fire assay method to establish the gold content in quartz. Also included was a mesmerizing tour of the Moriarty House, where a family of 10 resided in the early days of the town.
Founded in 1977, PESPA has been supporting interpretive and educational programs at Plumas-Eureka State Park ever since. Although turnout this year was slightly lower than last year, likely in part due to the high temperatures, there were multiple groups of participants exploring all the event had to offer.
To encourage participation across all venues, PESPA gamified the experience by offering kids a prize — a frozen treat — if they collected five stamps from various locations. At each stop, volunteers insisted the children learn at least one new fact or participate in an activity to “earn” their stamp.
Across from the museum, the near-triple-digit temperatures outside paled in comparison to those in the blacksmithing workshop. Temperatures in the blacksmithing forge can reach upwards of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Tim, one of the local blacksmiths who offered a vast array of knowledge to visitors of all ages. As other blacksmiths clanged and banged away on various strips of metal, Tim illustrated a gentler approach to the craft by twisting a glowing piece of metal into an ornate piece with a seemingly simple twist of the wrist. The youthful crowd watched in awe as the blacksmith dunked the piece into a nearby barrel of water, completing the quenching step in the process, and immediately placed the previously red-hot metal on his upper lip.
When asked what brings Tim the most joy during this event he said, “This is not just a fundraising event but a community building event. We’re getting everyone on the same page.”
The pure dedication and heartfelt passion of the volunteers is one of the most inspiring qualities of Gold Discovery Days. Each volunteer had a personal story, which was intertwined with love of the specific knowledge or craft being demonstrated. Volunteers took participants back into history with tangible pride, telling stories of the first settlers that embodied the frontier hardiness still visible today in the people of Plumas County.
Volunteers told stories of children climbing out of the second-floor window of the Moriarty House into the snow after winter storms. They described tunneling through tens of feet of snow to access the front door of the house and demonstrated how wooden wheel spokes were crafted using the most basic of tools.
After hearing tales of hardship, most children agreed: “You’re right — our chores at home are not that bad!”
In addition to the activities provided by PESPA, the Johnsville Historical Society debuted its self-guided walking tour of the town. Through photos, interpretive posters and a handout map, participants were invited to explore the historic mining town at their own pace. This supplemental activity added another layer to the overall experience, giving attendees even more options to bask in the deep history of the town.
Leaving town, participants were filled with a renewed respect for the early settlers of the rugged frontier and a profound appreciation for the volunteers who brought this event to life. Next time dinner rolls around, the heart-shaped dinner bell purchased from the local Johnsville blacksmiths will be used to rally the children home, providing a fond memory of this event.
