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This hydraulic monitor was used in the Polar Star hydraulic mining pit, located about ½ mile northeast of the Dutch Flat Trading Post, in 1899 and 1900. It was fed by water carried in 24” metal pipes from an open water ditch located above the Central Pacific Railroad tracks (now the Union Pacific) having a drop of 450’
The monitor was built by the Joshua Hendy Machine Works located at the corners of Bay, Kearney and Francisco streets in San Francisco in 1899. It was bought by William Nicholls, Jr. and the W. & P. Nicholls Bank in Dutch Flat.
The Polar Star was the last private mining claim in the Dutch Flat Mining District to legally hydraulic mine. After hydraulic mining was severely restricted in the Courts in the early 1880’s, the Polar Star Mine in Dutch Flat and the Liberty Hill Mine in the Lowell Hill area of Nevada County were able to get legal permits from the California Debris Commission to resume hydraulic mining utilizing a debris dam located on the Bear River near today’s PG & E’s Dutch Flat Powerhouse (the dam site is now underwater in the Dutch Flat Afterbay).
The monitor was re-assembled in 1985 in its present display by Brendan Smith, a local Boy Scout doing the work as part of his Eagle Scout project.
Golden Drift Historical Society, research by Doug Ferrier, June, 2013
The monitor was built by the Joshua Hendy Machine Works located at the corners of Bay, Kearney and Francisco streets in San Francisco in 1899. It was bought by William Nicholls, Jr. and the W. & P. Nicholls Bank in Dutch Flat.
The Polar Star was the last private mining claim in the Dutch Flat Mining District to legally hydraulic mine. After hydraulic mining was severely restricted in the Courts in the early 1880’s, the Polar Star Mine in Dutch Flat and the Liberty Hill Mine in the Lowell Hill area of Nevada County were able to get legal permits from the California Debris Commission to resume hydraulic mining utilizing a debris dam located on the Bear River near today’s PG & E’s Dutch Flat Powerhouse (the dam site is now underwater in the Dutch Flat Afterbay).
The monitor was re-assembled in 1985 in its present display by Brendan Smith, a local Boy Scout doing the work as part of his Eagle Scout project.
Golden Drift Historical Society, research by Doug Ferrier, June, 2013
ONGOING PROJECTS - We're always looking for volunteers to help with projects and events. Please contact us if you are willing and able to help!
HEARSE HOUSE
The decking on the Hearse House at the corner of Main and Sacramento Streets was recently replaced. The building was re-painted on the side of the deck however the other 3 sides need to have the siding replaced then re-painted. We also want to paint the interior of the building a light color to make viewing the hearse easier.
The hearse itself needs some expert sanding and re-painting as well. Can you help?
Please contact anyone on the Community Center Board or on our Home page "Contact Us" section if you are interested. Materials will be supplied.
NEW WINDOWS
The window replacement project is very costly so we are proceeding in phases. Three new, custom built wooden windows have been installed in the kitchen and four new windows installed on the downstairs wall across from the tennis court and ten new windows upstairs. We were also able to get the 2 windows at the bottom of the stairs in the lobby replaced. That brings a total of 19 out of 37 replacements. We are putting the rest of the on hold until we finish other projects first.
HEARSE HOUSE
The decking on the Hearse House at the corner of Main and Sacramento Streets was recently replaced. The building was re-painted on the side of the deck however the other 3 sides need to have the siding replaced then re-painted. We also want to paint the interior of the building a light color to make viewing the hearse easier.
The hearse itself needs some expert sanding and re-painting as well. Can you help?
Please contact anyone on the Community Center Board or on our Home page "Contact Us" section if you are interested. Materials will be supplied.
NEW WINDOWS
The window replacement project is very costly so we are proceeding in phases. Three new, custom built wooden windows have been installed in the kitchen and four new windows installed on the downstairs wall across from the tennis court and ten new windows upstairs. We were also able to get the 2 windows at the bottom of the stairs in the lobby replaced. That brings a total of 19 out of 37 replacements. We are putting the rest of the on hold until we finish other projects first.