Most of Oregon’s gold has been found in Eastern and Southwestern parts of the state. One of the best areas for gold prospecting in Northwest Oregon is at Quartzville Creek. This tributary to the Santiam River is a well-known area for gold panning. It is a popular site for prospectors from the Portland/Salem/Eugene area. Gold […]
Oregon ghost town
Gold in the John Day River, Oregon
The scenic and stunningly beautiful state of Oregon is one of the favorite destinations for gold prospectors. The state is blessed with numerous rivers, countless creeks, and several mountains that carry a considerable amount of gold deposits. For hundreds of years, people in search of wealth have found their wishes fulfilled in Oregon. Even after […]
Historic Gold Mining at Galice Creek, Oregon
Galice, Oregon, has been recognized as a source of plentiful gold and ores since the 1850s. To this day, gold is mined from Galice Creek in Josephine County. There are still several active mining operations there. Let’s take a look at the rich history of this unique mining settlement. Prospectors Find Gold in Southern […]
Coos County Gold Rush – Mining at Whiskey Run Beach
One of the more unusual early gold rushes in the United States occurred on the Oregon Coast, when miners discovered gold deposits in the sand along the Pacific beaches. Not only was there gold scattered within the sand, but there was actually enough of it to be economically mined! Tiny specks of gold dust were […]
Gold Rush to Bohemia – Explore this Early Oregon Mining Town
Oregon is most certainly a state that boasts a significantly rich history with regards to its gold rush heyday. Throughout the mid-late 19th century, countless people flocked to the mountains of Oregon with hopes of trying out their luck to strike it rich and change their lives forever. One of the most infamous areas of […]
13 Western Oregon Mining Towns – Siskiyou & Cascade Mountain Gold
1. Quartzville Quartzville is the northernmost mining town in the Oregon Cascade Mountains. Gold can be found on Quartzville Creek in the section that flows into Green Peter Lake. Several miles of the creek is designated as the “Quartzville Recreation Corridor” and is open to the public of a variety of activities including […]
12 Eastern Oregon Gold Mining Towns (Maps & Locations)
While Oregon’s mining industry was not as lucrative as others in the West, during the period of the gold rush, the territory was a significant contributor of gold as well as other minerals. Oregon played its part in establishing the Western states and still ended up ranking 11th in gold production. The richest gold strikes […]
7 Rivers in Oregon that are Full of Gold Nuggets
Oregon is a great state to do some gold prospecting. Some incredible gold nuggets have been found in the state, and there are countless creeks and rivers where gold is hidden within the gravels. The major gold-bearing areas in Oregon are primarily in the southern part (Grants Pass & Medford area) and the eastern part […]
Baker City: Gold brings thousands to Eastern Oregon
Jacksonville, Oregon: A Gold Rush Town with Charm
As greed sours, the number of ghosts that can be found soar. Jacksonville, Oregon, once known for its great quantities of gold during the gold rush, is now left to ruin in ghost inhabited buildings or captivating tourist attractions that let you experience what the gold rush was all about. However, this is not how […]
Gold Mining History of Canyon City, Oregon
Canyon City is credited for having the richest gold deposits anywhere in the state of Oregon at Whiskey Gulch on Canyon Creek near John Day. Miners had discovered gold in Eastern Oregon’s Blue Mountains the fall prior about 50 miles to the east in Auburn, but it wasn’t long before gold discoveries were being made […]
The Placers and Hard Rock Gold in Sumpter, OR
In 1862, the American Civil War was at its beginning stage when five men; Hugh Asbury, John Reel, Fletch Henderson, Bill Flanagan and Dick Johnson head out from South Carolina to the California Gold fields. They decided to camp near an area known today as the Cracker Creek, a tributary to the Powder River. While […]
Oregon’s Biggest Gold Nuggets
Oregon may be one of the most overlooked states in the western United States when it comes to gold prospecting and its potential for producing large gold nuggets. Many impressive specimens have come out of the state over the years. Some of the biggest nuggets that were found during the early gold rush here would […]