North Bloomfield, California

Gold was discovered in the North Bloomfield district in 1851. According to the traditional account, three prospectors found promising gravel deposits while exploring the country around San Juan Ridge. When one of the men went to Nevada City for supplies, word of the discovery escaped and other prospectors followed him back into the mountains. The newcomers failed to find the riches they expected and dismissed the discovery as a "humbug," a name that became attached to Humbug Creek and the mining camp that developed nearby.

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