Gold was discovered in 1861 in the Cambridge Hills east of Pine Grove Flats. The Wilson-Cambridge Mining District was formed which eventually contained over 500 mining claims. Primary commodities included gold, silver and, more recently, uranium.
Little is know of early production. The district was reorganized and re- invigorated in 1867 after William Wilson discovered rich gold veins at nearby Pine Grove.
Stacked stone cabin with a wood roof
Cambridge grew large enough to have a post office between 1879 to 1881. A ten stamp mill was located nearby on the East Walker River. Mining decreased in 1893 after the demonetization of silver. Several revivals occurred including in 1936 when a mill was once again processing local ore.
A stone cabin overlooks the former site of Cambridge. Next to the cabin is a large dugout, possibly a cellar or dugout foundation. Scattered around the hill is a garbage dump site, filled in outhouse foundation, mines and a memorial pile of remains of the town.
Visitors have gathered artifacts from the site and created a memorial
Mine above the cabin
I visited Cambridge nearby Rockland with friends. We planned on visiting Pine Grove, but with short November days we ran out of daylight.
Visited 11-22-2020, 2003
References
- Lincoln, Francis Church. Mining Districts and Mineral Resources of Nevada. Stanley Paher. 1982. Pages 148-149
- Pahler, Stanley. Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps. Nevada Publications, 1970. Page 85
- Western Mining History: Wilson District
Stephen says
Lovely post
Tami says
Thanks, it is a nice little stop. I wish there was more information on Cambridge, and I’ll keep my ears open.