BUTTE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

by Tom Ashworth

LOCATION

COUNTY:Butte County

STATE:California

Total production from Butte County, 1880-1959, is reported as approximately 3,200,000 ounces of placer gold and 104,000 ounces of lode gold. The Surcease Mine located at township 21N range 4E was a large producer of lode gold.

BUTTE CREEK

The town of Magalia located in north central part of county, production from 1932 - 1959 was 15,976 ounces of placer gold.

LITTLE BUTTE CREEK

The Magalia Tertiary gravel deposits produce placer gold. The Perschbaker Mine, major producer prior until 1910 was a major lode gold producer.

FEATHER RIVER

Cherokee City, area stream gravels, contain placer gold. On Cherokee Flat, alluvial gravel deposits contain placer gold. Oroville district, in south part of county, along the Feather River, had a total production between 1903-59, of 1,964,130 ounces. The area gravel deposits contain rich placer gold deposit. At Thompson's Flat there were large placer gold operations. Yankee Hill district, located at township 21N range 4E and 5E, in central part of county had a total production of 5,154 ounces of placer gold and 34,427 ounces of lode gold, all along the Feather River there are many placer operations and area lode gold mines.