Sierra Community Access Television – Published on Oct 10, 2013]
“The Deep Blue Load” of Spanish Hill – Part 1
The El Dorado Historical Society presents historian George Peabody telling the story of the “mountain of gold” found in Placerville, CA.
Millions of dollars worth of gold were mined from the “Deep Blue Load”. One of the richest of several tributaries that fed the main Tertiary channel is the “Deep Blue” lead.
This ancient channel first appears at Georgia Hill, northwest the Toombs Ranch. It then heads south, passing southwest of the ranch, before crossing White Rock Creek, and dipping under the volcanic rocks near Lava Cap Winery. It then emerges from beneath the cap and continues south to Three Mile House at Smith’s Flat, about three miles from Placerville on the old Carson Valley Highway. The Deep Blue then crosses Hangtown Creek, swings southwest, passing north of Texas Hill, and ends near Spanish Hill about 1½ miles southeast of Placerville, Escaton Village is built on the site of Spanish Hill.
About Post Author
