Tag Archives: 1800s

Gold Mining in Columbia, California

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Planning to travel from San Francisco to Yosemite, I was excited to add Columbia State Historic Park to my itinerary.  Imagining what it would have been like to live during the Gold Rush of the 1800s, I was looking forward to strolling the streets and exploring its  old restored buildings.

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Located off of Highway 49 near the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Columbia was once a vibrant town that drew a population of gold seekers in hopes of living the American dream.  As I entered this beautifully restored historic district, I found the parking lot off of Broadway Street in close proximity to the park.  The first building on my tour was the Fallon Hotel where I picked up Washington Street, a pedestrian only walkway.  Following the map, I identified more than 30 buildings that existed during the California Gold Rush remaining on this site today.   According to the park’s website, this is the “largest single collection of existing gold rush-era structures in the state”.
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What I love about this place is that the structures are used to house various businesses acting as a working town.  Unfortunately, I had arrived during the middle of the week in the fall and many of the stores had already closed for the afternoon.  There were, however, some of the attractions open such as the blacksmith, an ice cream store, a saloon and a location for panning gold.

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I learned from the young girl at the ice cream shop that during the summer this is an extremely busy place where people wear period costumes to re-enact how life would have been like during the Gold Rush.  There are horse drawn stage coach rides and the stores and restaurants are open for business.

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As I walked along the quiet streets, I came across the Columbia Museum.  Unfortunately it was closed as I would have loved to have learned more about the history of this town.  In addition to the museum, free tours are provided during season and on Gold Rush Days  held on the second Saturday of each month year around.

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Saloons were a very important part of the gold mining culture. Usually depicted in western movies as gambling joints and full of promiscuous women, the halls were a place for locals to hang out throughout the day when they took some time away from panning gold.

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In 1961, the town of Columbia was declared a National Historic Landmark.  Beautifully preserved and well-maintained, this location provides an in-depth look into the lives of gold miners and the hardships that they endured.  What is so great about this park is that it is free. and even the guided tours are provided at no charge, so what a great reason to visit.  Not to mention the opportunity to pan for gold.

Do you have a favorite historical site in the US?  I would love to hear about it if you would kindly leave a comment in the section below!  Many Thanks and Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Columbia State Historic Park
11255 Jackson Street
Columbia, CA  95310
Telephone: 209 588 9128

  • Admission Fee:  There is no fee for visiting Columbia State Historic Park.
  • Hours:  Open daily 24 hours but most businesses are open from 10AM to 5PM
  • Amenities:  visitor center, restaurants, shopping, gold mining, hiking, guided tours, historical site, picnic areas, interpretive exhibits, museums, family programs, lodging
  • Scenic View: This scenic old town offers several great photographic opportunity
  • Length of Visit:  1 – 2 hours
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Each month the town hosts “Gold Rush Days” on the second Saturday from 1 – 4PM.

Where to Stay:

Columbia City Hotel
Columbia State Historic Park
22768 Main Street
Columbia, CA  95310
Telephone:  209 588 9128

Where to Eat:

The Nugget Cafe
22758 Parrotts Ferry Road
Columbia, CA  95310

This restaurant is only open for breakfast. I ordered my typical breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast and side of hashbrowns. Great portion sizes and tasty meal.

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Old Time Fire Engine, Columbia, California

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Gold Mine in Columbia, California

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Eagle Cotage at Columbia Historical Site

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Columbia Gazette, California

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Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, Portland, Maine

There is only a ten minute drive between the Portland Head Lighthouse to the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse in  Portland.   As we travel the coast into the South Side of Portland, the views are spectacular with sailboats in the cove surrounded by million dollar mansions.

The lighthouse was completed in 1897 and is one of 49 caisson-style lighthouses in the United States that visitors can walk to.  It protects sailors from the dangerous ledge as they enter the Casco Bay and Portland Harbor, located at the end of the 950-foot breakwater.

Built by Thomas Dyer, the lighthouse measures 77 feet in height and was an integral part of protecting Portland’s growing harbor in the 1800s.   It was lit by William A. Lane on May 24, 1897.  The breakwater was added in 1951, built of 50, 000 tons of local granite.

The lighthouse was transferred to private ownership under the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 1996 and a trust was formed in 1998 to maintain Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse and manage future restoration projects.

While visitors can walk along the breakwater for a closer view of Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, guided tours begin after the Memorial Day weekend on Tuesdays and Thursdays and limited Saturdays from 11:30AM to 1:30PM as the weather allows.  The cost is $5 per person.  Private tours are also available for up to 12 people with a fee of $150.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse?  Did you take the guided tour?  I would love to hear about your visit if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my wonderful visit to Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
2 Fort Road
South Portland, ME  04106
Telephone: 866 570 5703

  • Admission:   Free
  • Hours:  Open daily 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset
  • Amenities:  Guided tours, beach nearby,
  • Length of Your Tour:  1 – 2 hours to visit
  • Tips for Your Visit:  There is a beach and fort next to the lighthouse.  There is a small fee to enter the lighthouse and call ahead to schedule a tour.  Check the tide as it is best to visit during low tide.  Small parking area on the community college’s campus.

Where to Stay:

Inn at St. John Portland In-Town
939 Congress Street
Portland, ME  04102
Telephone:  800 636 9127

Where to Eat:

DiMillos
25 Long Wharf
Portland, ME  04101
Telephone:  207 772 2216

What to Eat:

Seafood, especially lobster!

What to Read:

  • Delirium, by Lauren Oliver
  • Persuader, by Lee Child
  • Shelter in Place, by Nora Roberts
  • The Singing Trees, by Boo Walker
  • The Probability of Miracles, by Wendy Wunder

Photo Guide for Portland:

  • Boda Thai Kitchen
  • Casco Bay and the Portland Head Lighthouse
  • Crown Jewel
  • Drifter’s Wife
  • Eventide Oyster Company
  • Portland Head Lighthouse
  • The Press Hotel

Canal Market District in Newark, Ohio

Fresh fruit and vegetables, new products and crafts were just a few of the items available at the Canal Market District in downtown Newark.

Opening in 2016, the market began with close to ten vendors and offered a summer schedule of local entertainment.

 Some of the amazing merchants I met included Nay and Terry Dismore from Pretzels with a Twist.  Their company offers miniature gourmet pretzels with lots of flavor.  From ChipotleQue to Peppermint Cocoa, there is a fantastic combination for any pretzel lover.

JC’s Lemonade was such a refreshing drink and I absolutely loved the pineapple twist flavor.

The marketplace was once a section of the Ohio & Erie Canal which passed through this space in the early 1800s. Horse-drawn boats would transport goods along the 308 miles of waterway until 1913 when the Great Dayton Flood destroyed much of its banks, aqueducts and locks.  A beautiful black and white mural memorializes the canal’s culture and history.

The market is located at 36 East Canal Street and is open on Fridays between 4 – 7PM from May through October.  While there are several downtown restaurants, food trucks are also available for food and for those who prefer to drink, Canal Market District is also located in the DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area), allowing person s aged 21 and older to buy alcohol.  In addition, the Canal Market District’s covered pavilion may be rented to host weddings and memorable occasions for up to 190 attendees.

What to See and What to Do:

Canal Market District
26 East Canal Street
Newark, OH
Telephone:  740 527 0420

Where to Stay:

Doubletree by Hilton Hotel
50 N. Second Street
Newark, OH  43055

Where to Eat:

Bummie’s On Main
400 West Main Street
Newark, OH  43056
Telephone:  740 522 0730

Best Reuben sandwich in town!