Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1875-05-15
MEADOW LAKE.
The Rise and Fall Of a California
Mining Camp.

MAnan1 NHAsps
We note an article going the rounds
to the effect that another grand rush to
the above locality is taking place, or
rather is about to take place. This
brings to mind many "reminiscences OF
the old camp, which we are inclined to
put in print.
Meadow Lake is situated near the
summit of the Sierras, about fifteen
miles due north of Cisco, on the Cen
trail Pacific Railroad. 1t is the most
lovely spot on ear til in the Summer
season, and the most terribly snow
bound place this side of the Arctic re-
gions during the Winter months.
Those denominated Winter months up
there comprise nearly one-half of the
wear. From the middle of June to
the LIST of October, however, it is an
Eden. No blighting malaria turks in
the pure atmosphere of that enchanted
land; the days are never oppressively
warm, and the nights are always de-
llClOuSly SOOls Y 10, VI OH VIM
localities on this coast, the most charm
ingly lovely. As much can not be said
of the Winters; and yet there is an aw-
full awe-inspiring fascination about a
twenty-five-foot To- storm in one
night, which may be imagined If not
described. The writer was there two
Winters and as many Summers. We
went there in the Summer OF 1865, and
soon after ten thousand other fortune
seeker put in an appearance. There
were no houses there then; neither
was there lumber nor roads by which
that indispensable commodity could
be brought in. But the country was
kind of men who lay the foundation
of States and erect empires were there
in unlimited p~rofusion, stretched out
and camped all over the hills and
wales. There was, too, a great deal of
good-nature among all that vast throng
of hardy p~rospectors. Soon came old
man Hardy, father of the late James
H. Hardy, and constructed for Us a
wagon road out to Webber lake, con.
Meeting with the Henness Pass route
at that point. That gave us ingress
and egress to and from Virginia City,
and also to and from all parts of the
Golden State. Then followed the on
struction of another road to the south
ward, connecting at Cisco; and it was
not long thereafter until we had sup
plies and appliances of all kinds in the
greatest abundance. The town, of
course, grew, as is the wont of all min
ing towns, and by the meeting of the
California Legislature, in 1876, it
had attained such proportions as to de-
mand a municipal government. We
applied to the Legislature for a charter,
and got it. There were four principal
business streets, commencing at the
waters edge Of the beautiful undulat-
ing lake and running back for more
than a quarter of a mile. Cross-streets
were interspersed at proper intervals,
and the whole town was compactly
built. 1t was a big town; larger, in
deed, than Nevada City, the capital of
the county. Among the public insti-
tutions of the place was a stock board
(the Excelsior Stock and Exchange
Board), a city hall, a theater, and a
daily paper-the Sun-conducted MAIN
ly by the undersigned. The Sun was
about the size of the SENTINEL,
and while the flush times lasted,
was we'll filled with "live advertise
ments." We did, through the columns
of the Sun, a great deal of blowing tc
keep the country aaoat, but it was nc
90, and we all went through together
The decline of the once fourishine
sscity,u as we had often called it with
pride, was even more rapid than its
rise. 1t simply stepped down and
out" with its fine hotels, mammoth
stores and palatial saloons inside OF
. one year. Some few hung OH longer
but most of us, thankful that it had
not died a lingering death, rushed out
while we yet had sufficient means te
pay stage fare. OF those who remained
behind. one after another abandoned
the place, until finally-in less than
eighteen months-but n house of all
that fair city vas occupied. 1t was a
sudden and grand wreck of fortunes
and hopes. How many bright visions
there conceived were destined v to
be fulfilled none can know; and it is
not for us to speculate. We turn
hasty retrospective glance to u W
experience, even at this distant day
and recall some of the most pleasure
BILE occasions and brightest dreams o.
q lifetime. Mayhaps others can dothe
same. And what became of all those
who once peopled that thriving town.