Nevada County Empire Mine The Empire Mine is the oldest, largest, and richest gold mine in California. It began operations 1850 and eventually closed in 1956. During that period the mine produced 5.8 million ounces of gold. There are estimates that only 20% of the gold has been mined, 80% still remains. There are approximately 360 miles of shafts and tunnels underground. A model of the mine is displayed in the museum. Within the park there are many of the original mine buildings, lovely gardens, and the owners cottage.

There are a variety of different tours including, the Cottage Grounds, Mine yard, and the Gardens.

Cottage Grounds
A tour guide lead you through the history of the Empire Mine and the key people in the mine development. The tour includes the Bourn Cottage, the Clubhouse, and the George Starr home ruins.

Mine yard
The tour of the mine yard discusses the gold mining process, mine statistics, mining equipment, the extensive use of mules and the miners of the period.

Gardens
The tour features a walk in the rose garden with it's many varieties of roses and other plants. Most of the roses are from original plantings in the 1897 time period and some have been propagated by park volunteers.

Living history at the Empire Mine State Historic Park is one of the main attractions of the Park. On weekends from May to the end of October volunteers dressed in 1905 period costumes entertain park visitors at the Cottage.

The park consists of 845 acres of forested back country and 12 miles of trails for hikers, bikers and horseback riders.

Daily Park Hours
January - April 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
May - August 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 P.M.
September - December 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
(Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day)