Saturday, April 10, 2010
12:00 noon
Ciro’s Pizza Cafe
241 Blue Ravine Rd.
Folsom, CA 95630
[Google Map]
Have you ever heard of the Chinese Diggings?
by Norm Root
The Chinese Diggings are a historical destination right beside the Lincoln Highway, located at the northwest corner of Folsom Boulevard and U.S. Highway 50, in southwest Folsom. The diggings are a group of narrow ditches about 18 inches wide and up to 30 feet deep, laid out in a herringbone format, which form a unique sluice box system for washing gold. The system was owned by the Natomas Gold Mining Company and worked by Chinese laborers.
The California Chapter of the Lincoln Highway Association was notified recently by the city of Folsom that the owners of the property have applied to build a four-story hotel on the property. Lloyd Johnson will lead us on a tour of the diggings following the chapter meeting. This part of the Lincoln Highway, Folsom Boulevard, is not on any of our normal tours, so we seldom get to see it.
During the meeting, Kell Brigan will tell about her ongoing research study of Routier Station, which is in this same area. Anyone who has photographs of Folsom Boulevard is encouraged to bring them to the meeting to share.
We will meet for lunch at Ciro’s Pizza Cafe, at 241 Blue Bird Ravine in Folsom, Saturday April 10 at noon. From the Folsom Blvd off-ramp from U.S. 50, head north on Folsom Boulevard. Turn right (east) onto Blue Ravine Road. Ciro’s is on the southwest corner of Blue Ravine and Prairie City Road. Turn right into the driveway off of Blue Ravine at the beginning of the right turn lane onto Prairie City Road. You can eat for $7.37 and up to more than $20. (Unfortunately, the advertised $6.99 buffet lunch is not available on Saturdays.)
