The Empire Mine was one of the most successful mines in Northern California.  While it was active from 1857 to 1956, over 397,000 pounds of gold were pulled from the mine.  The one-time owner of the mine build a beautiful cottage on the grounds that is as beautiful today as the day it was built.  When you visit, you can see old equipment, such as this stamper that crushed the quartz into power in order to pull out the gold.