The Heritage we celebrate at the Annual Gathering

THE CORNISH IN AMADOR COUNTY

Wherever there were mines, especially mines needing experienced and expert help, the Cornish came.  They worked the mines, were mine captains and supervisors, engineers developing a vast array of mine equipment and methods.  They had centuries of experience in Cornwall, Camborne, Redruth, Tywardreath, Zennor etc. in the copper and tin mines.  In the 1830's and 40's, they came to the New World, especially to Wisconsin to the lead mines.  When the gold strike was sounded in California in 1848, the Cornish came, overland from the East, ships and schooners from Falmouth, New Orleans, across the Isthmus of Panama, around the Horn to San Francisco, and on to Sacramento and the mines of the Mother Lode and the North.  Grass Valley and Nevada City soon became predominately Cornish.

Amador City beckoned in 1851 with the founding of the first hard rock mine in Amador City, the Spring Hill.  Cousin Jacks arrived in numbers to this area and Sutter Creek became the haven for most.  They sank the shafts, dug the drifts and built the mills.  Many stayed and sent back for their Jennies and children and settled in to begin a new life.

They were largely responsible for the settlement of this wild area, the builders of schools and churches and the stabilizers of community life.  One only has to visit the pioneer cemeteries in Sutter Creek, Jackson and Amador City to find these pioneers.  Many of the Amador County residents of today have Cornish blood flowing through their veins and an occasional pasty to fortify the soul.