Back In The Day

Back In The Day Enjoying the vintage life in the heart of the California Gold Country. Bringing the very best antiq

Whew, now that was a down pour downtown…
05/29/2026

Whew, now that was a down pour downtown…

Life is short… enjoy the little things… … thanks for swing by
05/06/2026

Life is short… enjoy the little things… … thanks for swing by

You go for the amazing coyote fun you’re having…
05/06/2026

You go for the amazing coyote fun you’re having…

This… large oil on canvas by CA. listed artist, G.F. Kaeyer, c. 30’s-40’s… original frame…
04/29/2026

This… large oil on canvas by CA. listed artist, G.F. Kaeyer, c. 30’s-40’s… original frame…

Come@check out the 2026 Car Show in downtown Grass Valley… it’s in full swing baby…
04/25/2026

Come@check out the 2026 Car Show in downtown Grass Valley… it’s in full swing baby…

Nothing like the natural, neutral vibe to bring calm and ease to the soul…
04/14/2026

Nothing like the natural, neutral vibe to bring calm and ease to the soul…

Spring vibes… here early this year 🌞…
03/24/2026

Spring vibes… here early this year 🌞…

03/18/2026

This… antique suitcase gramophone…

Looks like a heap of vintage fun… think we might have to just go and see for ourselves…
03/11/2026

Looks like a heap of vintage fun… think we might have to just go and see for ourselves…

Come by and enjoy a taste of vintage Easter…
03/11/2026

Come by and enjoy a taste of vintage Easter…

03/11/2026

If you live in Grass Valley, there’s a good chance there are tunnels under your house.

Not a figure of speech. Empire Mine’s 367 miles of underground workings don’t stop at the park boundary. They run beneath the town — under streets, schools, businesses, backyards. Most people have no idea.

There’s a scale model in the visitor center that shows the whole thing. Honestly, it’s one of those moments where you just stand there and go “...wait, what?” The tunnels stretch farther than the drive from San Francisco to LA. Over 100 levels deep. The lowest point is a mile underground.

Miners went down in cage elevators called “skips.” Candlelight at first, then carbide lamps. 100-degree heat at the bottom. Three shifts, around the clock, for 106 years straight.

They pulled 5.8 million ounces of gold out of this mountain. At today’s prices, that’s north of $17 billion. A plaque in town says it plainly — within a one-mile radius, the Empire, North Star, and Idaho-Maryland mines made this the most concentrated gold district in the world.

The mine closed in 1956. The tools are still sitting on the workbenches. The forges are still standing. Nobody cleaned up. It’s like everyone just walked out one afternoon and never came back.

Next time you’re driving through Grass Valley, think about what’s underneath you.

📍 Empire Mine State Historic Park, Grass Valley
🗺️ nevadacountylandmarks.com

Tag someone from Grass Valley who needs to see this 👇

Address

120 Mill Street
Grass Valley, CA
95945

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm

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