Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-08-28
FROM PLUMAs COUNTY.
The American yalIey-Quincy and Sur.
roundings-R Business, Etc.


roundings-Resources, Business, Etc.
EDS. REcoRD-UNIoN: American valley
occupies but a small portion of Plumas
county but the richness of the soil. con-
venient means of irrigation and the salu-
brity of the climate give it many superior
advantages. The location of the county
seat also adds to its importance. In shape
it is nearly perfect triangle, with the apex
pointing towards the south, the base repre-
senting the north and the remaining sides
inclosing the east and west arms respect
ively. 1t was first settled in 1851, and for
many years its progress was confined to the
development OF its mining interests, and
from the time OF the discovery of gold to
the year 1853 its mining was indefinite.
Late in the spring of 1855 some parties
experimental upon a small portion of
ground with a view 10 its adaptability to
farming purposes. The outlook soon at
traeted a number of permanent settlers, and
from that time to the present their atten
ton was directed in the main to agriculture
and stock raising. Many years ago a
wealthy capitalist from San Francisco in
vested 81 900, eco IL the pursuit of various
schemes originated for testing the mineral
wealth Of this portion of the county The
result was failure, only proving that sci
ence. however wei authenticated its bear
ings may be. 5 OF no value III theorizing
about the location of god.
On the southern side Of the west arm of
the valley is situated the town of Quincy
the county-seat of Piumas county. The
town was founded about 1858 and for ten
years its advancement varied with the rise
and fall of the mines. Since that time il
has continued to improve slowly, till at
the present writing its population can be
safely counted at 500. 1t is a stage center
for the entire county, as the only means of
access is by wagon road.
The support OF the town IS not due to To-
cal industries. as beyond the profits accru-
ing from official business its stay is depend
ent upon lis mineral resources and the pro
duce of the surrounding locality. 1t con
tains about twenty business houses, each
having respectable share of patronage
the remainder, numbering about one hun
dred dwellings constitute the general make
up Of the largest town in the county.
The educational advantages are fair. The
public school building, Of brick, is a credit
able structure. The school has two de-
paruments - primary and high school
grades.
The printing Office, on Main street, is a
small but neat building. The P',Dtas M
tioBGi, published by p. L. Halstead is an
interesting, lively journal, and enjoys a
wide circulation.
The valley is divided into about thirty
farms, two or more containing a section
each, while the rest are of various areas
Grains of all kinds thrive well, wheat,
barley and oats yielding enormous crops
Alfalfa and timothy are much sown for
hay, two and often three crops being har-
vested in one year The valley itself can
boast of no special mineral wealth but in
the hills near by die mines are extensively
worked and i large profit realized The
altitude is about 1000 feet.
The seasons are two, the wet and the dry.
III summer thunder-showers are frequent.
The irosts continue until late in July In
winter snow falls from two TO four feet,
rarely deeper Snow-Shocs are a much
used mode Of progressing during this sea-
son. From July until October the weather
is moderate and agreeable, and draws
p many from the heated valleys below to
seek health and recreation.
The plausible theory has been advanced
that this valley IS but depression upon
one OF the highest ranges of the Sierra
Nevada. At an early period it was sup
posed to have been q lake and from re-
Peated alluyial washings and deposits it
assumed its present coniguration
The railroad question is agitated here to
some extent, many holding the idea that
its advent in Quincy would but signal the
downfall of the town. Such arguments
seem entirely aniagonistic to the result of
similar trials in other places. Railroads in
the main develop the section of country
they intcrsect and establish a spirit of en-
terprlse advantageous to the increased
wealth of a community WANDERER.
Quincy, August %, 1885.