Amador Ledger-Dispatch, 6 November 1908 — Amador County Descriptive Article [ARTICLE]

Amador County Descriptive Article

Amador county comprises an area of MH square inllos. It lies on the wpstern slope of Sierra Novada raountalnß, und emoraees within its territory all thfl diversity of valley, foothill, nnd high mountainous lands. Climate— The climate of tho populous portions of tbo county Un»U n» genial and healthful as can be found anywhere In California. As climate is one of tho most valuable assets of this favored state In attracting population, Atnador stands second to no county in this regard. It should, and no doubt will In time, when Its cllmutlc advantages are i«ore thoroughly understood and appreciated, becomo n health resort not only for those in loss favored states, but for tho residents of other part 9of California. The temperature alone the central portion rarely falls below 30 degrees attovo zero In winter, and as rarely rises to 100 degrees in the summer. Snow solciom falls In tho settled districts, and never remains on the ground for moro than a few hours. Of oourso, In tho high mountain regions of pastern Amador tho snowfall is very heavy— which is characteristic of the entire Slorra Nevada range. The summer season is alway uccoinpaniod witli cool nights; permitting of sound, refreshing slumber. Fogs are rare, cyclones are unknown, thunderstorms are infrequent. Gold Mining.— Tho county, although rich in other sources or, wealth, comparatively untouched, is noted principally for her quartz mines. The deepest gold mines in America are located hero. The Kennedy mino is nowtaking gold in liberal quantities from quartz extracted from a depth of over 3000 feet below the surface, with every indication that tbo pay-ore extends to a much greater depth. Since the discovery of gold, tho county has contributed fully *100,00(>000 to tho world's supply of the precious metal. Tho m'siios are, still yielding at the rate of about two million dollars annually. Nearly all of this wealth is produced by eight or ten mines operating on what is called tho "mother lode." stretching clear across tho county In a. north-east-erly direction a distance of twenty miles. The mines aggregate between 4UO and 000 stamps, and furnish employment for over 100(1 miners. This industry is still in its infancy. The unexplored territory, even along tho main gold belt, is far in excess of tho ground that has actually been worked «»• prospected. The couuly offers toi':iyone of the most inviting fields to be found anywhere in the world for the investment of capital iv tho fascinating business of gold mining, not alone along the mother lode, but also in the almost untouched mineralized country ot the east belt, some ton or twelve miles from the main lode. Besides gold, we have copper, deposits of pottery, coal, imarbe, slato, limestone, granite, and soapstone or t;ilc— all undeveloped. Agricultural Capabilities. —The agricultural possibilities equal, if not excel, the mineral riches. The valley lands will produce anything that can be grown in the most favored sections. In tho foothill lands all kinds of deciduous fruits thrive: also all kinds of vegetable are raised where irrigation i r practicable along the numerous water i-o.irses. Further up in the mountains, at mi altitude of 2000 to 2500 feet, the r.o-1 is admirably adapted for apples and potatoes. A ready market for many times tho quantity now raised of these commodities can bo fouud fin the various mining towns. Grape culture and wlnemaking are becoming 1 important industries, both the grapes and wine commanding a better price- thau .the product of tho lowland; Land is cheap compared with other California lands. Improved farms may bo secured for one-fourth the price current in some places! Unimproved lands can bo had from $•"> to $10 per acre. It does not require a fortune to buy a small ranch. There is room for a largo addition to our agriculural population. Vast tracts vow devoted to cattle ranges might bo made the homes of hundreds of prosperous farmers. Amador has a population of less thau 1:1000. Three fourths of this is concentrated in a strip of three miles above and below the mineral belt. Jackson, tho county seat, lias about 2oOU inhabitants, and [sun Incorporated oity ol tho sixth class. Other towns are Butter Creek, Auuulor City, Drytown, Plymouth! Volcano, lino Grove and Oleta. lone City is tho metropolis of the valley section, a thriving town jf 1000 Inhabitant*. ! Tho community is law-abiding. Kdu.•ational facilities are excellent. A ichoolhousa Is within eusy reach of lo'irly every family. There is one high ichool, located at lono. Tho assessment roll for 1007 Is $3.100,793, and the tax rate for both state mil county purposes $2 on tho $100. The Southern I'acilie has v, branch 'ail road running to lono. From this >oint the lone and Kastorn railroad exeddi 14 miles further to the mining motion. Tho various religious denominations •.nd fraternal organizations are well ■ ■eorvaeiJted. Tho power plant of the Standard ;!"Ctrit! Co— one of tho lurgeit In the vorld— tslOOttted four miles from Juck011.