The trestle at the Kentucky Mine in Sierra City is the bridge miners used to move heavy ore cars from the portal to the stamp mill. It has been an integral part of the mine tour since the opening of the museum in the 1970s. Until 2 years ago, when the structure was declared unsafe for pedestrians, visitors were able to follow the actual route of the ore starting in the mine, crossing the trestle, and descending inside the mill all the way to the shaker tables at the lowest level. Crossing the trestle is a huge draw for tourists, not just because it provides clarity to the mining and milling process, but because the view from the top is spectacular. This past season the Kentucky Mine attracted almost 2,000 visitors to Sierra County, and there will probably be even more when the full tours resume.
Sierra County Historical Society received a $96,000 grant from the Federal Scenic Highway Discretionary Grant Program along with a required $24,000 match from Sierra County to reconstruct the Kentucky Mine trestle. Unfortunately, costs have risen dramatically since the process was initiated in 2021 and the lowest competitive bid is $240,000, double our available funding. The bids are valid for a very short time, so we can award the project if we come up with an additional $120,000 quickly.
Some might say there is no way we can raise $120,000 by December 1, but we hope there are enough people who value this gem of Sierra County to say, “YES, WE CAN!” Please help rebuild the trestle by donating to Sierra County Historical Society for its restoration/building fund. SCHS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All contributions, large and small, are appreciated and deductible.
PLEASE DONATE BY DECEMBER 1, 2024!
Send checks: Donate online:
Sierra County Historical Society sierracountyhistory.org
PO Box 260
Sierra City, CA 96125