The North Star Mine: A Legacy of Gold and Innovation

Located on Auburn Road in Grass Valley, the North Star Mine covered over 700 acres and played a crucial role in California's gold mining history from 1851 to 1956. The discovery of a rich gold vein in 1851, just two miles south of Grass Valley, marked the beginning of what would become one of the most productive gold mines in the region. This vein, known as the Lafayette Hill Claim, changed hands several times before being acquired by Edward and John Coleman in 1860, who renamed it the North Star Mine.

John Coleman, a skilled mining engineer from England, brought new expertise to the operation, helping the mine thrive under a succession of owners. By 1875, however, the mine had closed and remained idle for nearly a decade. But in 1884, after experiencing success with his nearby Empire Mine, businessman George Bourn purchased the North Star Mine and revitalized it. He expanded operations by acquiring additional claims and built a 40-stamp mill on Auburn Road. He also improved the mine’s water system, benefiting both the North Star and Empire mines.

In 1887, New York financier James Duncan Hague purchased the North Star Mine from Bourn for $245,450. Under Hague’s leadership, the mine flourished, with increased production thanks to the introduction of the cyanide process, which allowed for the extraction of more gold from the crushed ore. Hague also consolidated several local mines, including Massachusetts Hill and Gold Hill, into a single operation. During this period, several important buildings were constructed at the Incline Shaft site, including the Assay House, Gardener’s Cottage, and the North Star Cottage, which served as the residence for the mine superintendent.

Recognizing the need for a power source to support future developments, Hague brought in his brother-in-law, Arthur De Wint Foote, in 1895. Foote, a renowned hydrologic, civil, and mining engineer, designed and built the North Star Mine Powerhouse, which included a 30-foot Pelton Wheel to power the equipment used to remove mine water. Foote’s work earned the powerhouse designation as an International Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark in 1991, and it is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1896, the construction of a vertical shaft known as the Central Shaft began, which required the creation of new facilities such as a stamp mill, head-frame, and cyanide plant. By 1904, operations at the Incline Shaft ceased, and much of the infrastructure was dismantled, with only a few buildings remaining.

In 1929, Newmont Mining Company, a major American mining corporation, purchased both the North Star and Empire mines, merging them into the Empire-Star Mine. However, by 1956, the high costs of labor and materials, coupled with the U.S. government’s fixed price of $35 per ounce of gold, led to the closure of many gold mines, including the Empire-Star.

At its peak, the North Star Mine was one of the top gold producers in Nevada County, which was California’s leading gold-producing region. The innovative work of mining engineers like A.D. Foote and James Hague played a key role in this success, leaving a lasting legacy in both the history of gold mining and the development of mining technology.