Local Area

Set out in any direction from Beale Air Force Base and you'll find something to do. To the south, Sacramento and San Francisco offer slices of big-city glitz and adventure. Head east, and you can explore the crystalline waters of Lake Tahoe or gamble in the casinos of Reno, Nev., billed as the Biggest Little City in the World. Redwood forests and rugged mountains beckon to the north. West of the base, you can explore California's famous wine country and the spectacular Northern California coast.

MARYSVILLE/
YUBA CITY HISTORY
Approximately 10 miles west of the base are the twin cities of Marysville, in Yuba County and Yuba City, just across the line in Sutter County. Together the cities and the surrounding area are home to approximately 50,000 people.

In 1808, according to early records, Gabriel Moraga led a Spanish expedition into the area and discovered the Sutter Buttes, now known as the world's smallest mountain range. Moraga, famed mountain man Jedediah Smith and General John Fremont found the mountains inhabited by a plethora of wildlife, as well as the friendly Maidu Indians, with whom they traded.

Sutter County is named for General John Sutter, on whose property gold was discovered on Jan. 24, 1848. The following year, thousands of "forty-niners" streamed into the area, seeking instant wealth. Most of them did not become rich, but the influx of humanity forever changed the area. During the gold rush years Yuba and Sutter counties bustled with activity. Sutter's fortunes, however, did not keep pace with the boom. He sold most of his holdings to Theodore Condua, who later sold most of the land to Charles Covillaud. One of the first white women to arrive in the area was Mary Murphy, a survivor of the ill-fated Donner party. She married Covillaud, and in 1850 the new settlement of Marysville was named in her honor.

Marysville became a central trading hub during the heyday of the gold rush. In 1857 more than $10 million in gold was shipped from local banks to the mint in San Francisco.

Mining sites included Rose's Bar, Lauder's Bar, Squaw Creek, Negro Bar, Bullard's Bar and Parks Bar. Much of the gold came from hydraulic mining to the north of Yuba City. Smartville was the center of hydraulic mining. Tailings raised the beds of both the Feather and Yuba Rivers, which led to major levee construction to prevent flooding.

Reminders of the mining days abound. You can even visit two ghost towns, Timbuctoo and Camptonville, which once boasted populations over 2,000. Timbuctoo is mostly rubble, but many of Camptonville's historic buildings have survived.

You can still search for gold in Yuba County's many rivers and streams. Be careful you don't wander onto someone's claim. They don't look on it any more favorably than they did in 1849.

LAND AND WATER
Today, Yuba County's riches are in open land and water. Texas has its oil barons; Yuba County has its water sheiks.

In the 1970s, the county and Pacific Gas & Electric Company completed construction of Bullard's Bar dam, the centerpiece of the Yuba River Development Project. The dam impounds nearly one million acre-feet of water from both the North and Middle Yuba watersheds. Originally, the water was to provide flood protection, recreation and water storage for agriculture.

During the ensuing two decades, however, California experienced explosive population growth and crippling drought. Yuba County water became more sought after than gold.

The area's proximity to Sacramento, abundant water supply and relatively inexpensive land make it attractive to people throughout the Sacramento Valley and beyond. The quality of life appeals to both commuters and retirees. Consequently, the area is experiencing its own mini-population boom, as visitors discover this relatively unknown slice of the Golden State.

OUTDOOR RECREATION
The real gold mine in the Yuba/Marysville area is the rich history and outdoor recreational activities. Discover them, and you'll come back for more.

The area boasts some of the best pheasant and duck hunting in the West. During the hunting season, thousands of gun-toting visitors raid the area from all parts of the state. In the upper section of Yuba County, you will find blacktail deer, quail and wild turkey roaming the foothills. Striped bass fishing takes place during the summer months on local rivers. These fish are on their spawning run from the ocean and weigh up to 40-50 pounds. In addition, there are steelhead, salmon, trout and shad—one of the world's greatest fighting fish.

Within a few minutes driving time, waterskiing and speed boat enthusiasts can use the facilities of Englebright Dam, Collins Reservoir, Bullard's Bar Recreation Facilities and the Feather Riverfront Park, as well as local rivers. The scenic shorelines of these lakes are dotted with colorful houseboats.

Marysville and Yuba County contain two golf courses, tennis courts, two municipal swimming pools and a bowling alley.

PLACES TO SEE IN MARYSVILLE
Mary Aaron Museum
Built for $5,000 by architect Warren P. Miller, this historic home is listed in the 1856 Marysville Directory as a 40-by-40 foot two story dwelling. The home was given to the city of Marysville by Frank Aaron to be used as a museum in memory of his mother. Historical items on display in the museum include old documents, pictures, furniture, and mining equipment used between 1850 and 1900. The second floor has been restored and contains Miller's document room. The museum is located on the corner of 7th and D Street, and is open Thursday through Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m.

Mary Covillaud Grave
The woman who gave Marysville its name lays buried in the Catholic cemetery north of town, just over the levee on Highway 70. Covillaud was one of the survivors of the infamous Donner Party, which resorted to cannibalism after being caught in the snows of the Sierra's. After coming to the area, she married one of the founding fathers of the city, who named it in her honor.

Legend has it that on some winter nights when the nearby mountains are piled high with snow and the stars look close enough to touch, the spirits of those who perished on Donner Pass rise from their resting places and gather at Covillaud's grave to plot revenge against the living. But this is only a legend.

Ellis Home (or Ramirez Home)
Jose Ramirez came to the United States in 1849 from Chile. In 1851 he began construction on a typical Chilean architectural home with stained glass windows and South American hardwood. The walls were 30 inches thick and the ceilings were 13 1/2 feet high.

The home, located at 222 Fifth St., cost $27,000 originally. In 1861, James Bell purchased it for $3,000. He lived there for ten years before selling it to Charles Sexey for $4,000. In 1890, A.C. Bingham became the owner, and for 72 years it remained in the Ellis family (Bingham was married to an Ellis).

All upstairs floors are brick. The house has a marble-floored billiard room and only an outside staircase. There was no way to get from one floor to another without first going outside. This was said to be for protection against Indians.

Bok Kai Temple
(Chinese Joss House)
Built before the levees, the temple is the home of Bok Kai, the River God of Good Fortune. It is the only temple in the United States for the worship of Bok Kai, who is credited with preventing floods and averting famines in ancient China. The Chinese "Bomb Day" festival has been celebrated in Marysville since 1854 and is the only event of its kind in the United States. In late 1971, restoration was done to the interior of the temple. An elaborate arch was built as the entry to the temple by the Marysville Kiwanis Club in 1981. The State of California has designated it a "Place of Historical Interest."

Ellis lake
Ellis Lake was developed from a series of overflow sloughs by William T. Ellis, a prosperous Marysville merchant, in the first part of this century. Ellis purchased several of the properties needed to expand the lake, and the federal government put in rock facing and the cement walkways that surround the lake in the 1930s as a depression-busting make-work project. Ellis Lake is a natural storm water detention basin for the city of Marysville. During the summer months, water is pumped from the Yuba River at a rate of 400 gallons per minute to supply the lake with fresh water. All overflow water enters Jack Slough from gravity flow or by pumping (during high river stages). Jack Slough carries water to the Feather River, a primary water source for the California Water Project.

In October 1978, the First reported case of Hydrilla in California was discovered in Ellis Lake. Hydrilla caused difficulties in boat launching; recreational activity was affected, fishing in shallow water was restricted and the danger of drowning was imminent. If the Hydrilla were to escape from Ellis Lake, it could devastate California's water storage and delivery systems, and threaten California's multi-million dollar rice industry.

At a cost of $13.5 million, shared by the city of Marysville, the state of California and the federal government, the dreaded weed was exterminated in 1980 by dredging the lake, hauling the lakebed soil away, replacing the excavated soil and refilling the lake with fresh water.

PLACES TO SEE IN THE
SURROUNDING AREA

Collins Lake
Collins Lake is 20 miles northeast of Marysville off Route 20; turn left at the Collins Lake Highway sign at Browns Valley; then right just 10 miles to the Collins Lake entrance sign. Open year-round, Collins Lake boasts more than 12 miles of shoreline, broad sandy beaches, a protected swimming area, shaded family and group picnic grounds, double concrete launching ramp, marina with moorage berths and a general store. You can water ski on calm protected waters, with a 3 1/2 mile straight run. There are also boat, canoe, kayak and paddleboat rentals. Fishing is legal 24 hours a day (except trout and salmon at night) all year long. For current rate schedule and information, call (530) 692-1600.

Renaissance Vineyard and Winery
Located on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, at elevations between 1,700 and 2,300 feet, Renaissance has sculpted over 100 miles of contoured terraces, creating the only vineyard in the North Yuba viticulture area.

Renaissance winemaking combines age-old technique with modern equipment and technology. In the European tradition, only grapes grown on the estate are used, and all operations, from harvest to release, are conducted on the premises. Before bottling, each Renaissance wine is carefully matured in barrels or ovals, all of air-dried white oak, which are made to order in a small European cooperage.

Renaissance Vineyard and Winery is committed to the arts and considers winemaking an art form. The community offers a museum of fine arts, the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture, with its unique collection of Ming Furniture and its beautiful Rose Gardens. Tours, tastings and the Visitor's Center Gift Shop are available by appointment. Visitors to the area may also enjoy La Cucina Restaurant and Renaissance Gifts and Books. For more information call (530) 575-1254.

The World's Smallest Mountain Range
Listed in official federal records as the "World's Smallest Mountain Range," the Sutter Buttes are both unique and beautiful, rising from a broad plain about 50 feet above sea level. South Butte is 2,117 feet high; North Butte is 1,863 feet; West Butte is 1,685 feet. Three other peaks are over 1,600 feet. The mountains are arrayed in a circular rosette formation about nine miles in diameter, covering some 75 square miles. The volcanic up thrust that created them ceased from 1.9 to 1.3 million years ago, according to geologists.

The Maidu Indians named the Sutter Buttes "Histum Yani," meaning "Middle Mountains of the Valley." Early geological maps identify them as the "Marysville Buttes." La Framboise and Hudson Bay Company trappers called the peaks simply "The Buttes." Captain Fremont termed the mountains "Buttes of Sacramento" when he camped there in 1846 before the Bear Flag Revolt. Sutter's land grants called the peaks "Los Tres Picos." In 1949, the name "Sutter Buttes" became official.

Historic, cultural and scenic points around the Buttes include: West Butte, a former settlement with the school and bell tower still standing at Pass and West Butte Roads; the George E. Britton House built in 1869 and 1870 (Britton gave the land for the school, church and cemetery); the William Thompson Sr. Ranch on West Butter Road, where Thompson seedless grapes originated; Old Noyesburg Cemetery; early town of Pennington; Peace Valley Cemetery and much more!

OTHER AREA ATTRACTIONS
Sacramento
Just 45 miles south of Beale is Sacramento, California's capital and the site of many events in the state's colorful history.

Founded in 1839, Sacramento began to prosper as a colony for Swiss farmers and ranchers brought to the area by General Sutter. The discovery of gold in the area necessitated fast communications with the east, and the Pony Express established its western terminus at Sacramento in 1860. The eastern terminus was St. Joseph, Mo., and there were 190 relay stations along the route. The fastest trip over the rugged, 1,966-mile course was seven days, 17 hours. The building of the Central Pacific Railroad over the Sierra Nevadas brought still more prosperity to Sacramento.

The city now offers endless outdoor sports, shopping centers, nightclubs, restaurants, cultural events and concerts. Trips to the Sacramento Zoo or to the California statehouse while government business is being conducted are fine ways to spend an afternoon.

Penn Valley
The "Pantry of the Northern Mines" is still a rich agricultural area. The restored Bridgeport Bridge—the longest covered bridge in the United States—once saw 50 teams a day of Wells Fargo horses en route to the gold fields. Today, Penn Valley is known for the large rodeo it hosts each April, and for its wholesome country lifestyle.

Grass Valley
In the fall of 1849, a group from Boston came to Wolf Creek in search of gold. The tiny settlement they founded was called Boston Ravine. Early accounts tell of cattle wandering off to graze in surrounding green meadows, and for a time the area was simply known as the grassy valley. Little did the settlers realize that a mother lode of riches lay buried beneath their feet, in solid rock.

Incorporated in 1855, Grass Valley suffered a disastrous fire that same year, when flames swept over 30 acres and devoured 300 wood frame buildings in two hours. The townspeople rebuilt, this time with structures of stone and brick. Many of these buildings are still standing today. As the Gold Rush progressed, it attracted experienced miners from Cornwall, England, who developed the techniques of underground mining that made Grass Valley California's richest gold mining settlement.

Beneath the charming streets of Nevada County's largest town and commercial hub, more than $960 million in gold was extracted by the Empire, the North Star and other nearby mines. Today, restored miners' cottages and Victorian homes serve as bed and breakfast establishments, a short stroll from the town's historical landmarks.

The Holbrooke Hotel houses the oldest bar in the state, and its guest register reads like a historical Who's Who. Four U.S. Presidents have visited Grass Valley. They are recognized on a plaque at the Holbrooke. The plaque has extra space for future presidential visits, just in case. The three-week Music in the Mountains Festival brings the historic halls of St. Joseph's Chapel alive with glorious sounds each summer. Other annual events in Grass Valley include the Good Old Days Car Show in April, the Sierra Festival of the Arts in May, the Rough and Ready Chili Cook off in June and the Cornish Christmas Celebration in December.

Nevada City
Nevada City sprang into existence on the banks of Deer Creek in that fateful year of 1849. Legend has it that prospectors pulled a pound of gold a day from the creek bed in those heady Gold Rush days. First known as Deer Creek Dry Diggins and later as Caldwell's Upper Store, the town took the name Nevada (Spanish for "snow-covered") upon incorporation in 1850. Today, the county seat is home to some 2,800 people. But its rural ambience rests upon a bedrock of boisterous history. In 1850, the population surpassed 10,000, and in the general election of 1856 the 2,082 ballots cast in Nevada City were topped in California only by Sacramento and San Francisco.

The Queen City of the northern mines tastefully preserves its colorful mining days and Victorian era history. Sightseers and photographers are entranced by spectacular spring and fall colors and the beautiful old homes and churches dotting the city's seven hills.

The gas lamp-lit downtown is a designated Historical Preservation District. Museums, unique shops and many restaurants provide a pleasant day's browsing. Housed in a handsome stone foundry from the mining days, the American Victorian Museum is the only one of its kind in the United States. The Nevada Theatre is the oldest continuing operating theater west of the Rockies. For the sports enthusiasts, an international bicycle race and cross-country marathon are held annually in Nevada City. A sailing regatta is held each summer at Scotts Flat Lake. National Forest campgrounds and trails are nearby along scenic State Highway 20. read more...

---