Rough And Ready

Rough And Ready brings together mining history, historic landmarks, and specific event dates. When planning your trip, two questions may help: Would you like to focus mainly on the early settlement and working history, or are you planning your stay around a particular event? The dates range from the first permanent settlement in the fall of 1849 to the original toll house, which dates to around 1862.

From Settlement to the “Republic of Rough and Ready”

In the fall of 1849, the first permanent settlement was established by a mining company made up of twelve men from Shullsburg, Wisconsin. The company was named the Rough and Ready Company. Rough and Ready was named after this group, in honor of General Zachary Taylor. The town’s history therefore begins with both a specific mining company and the origin of its name.

In 1850, articles of secession were drafted to establish the “Republic of Rough and Ready.” This followed the settlement of 1849 but describes a different event: the earlier date marks the beginning of the permanent settlement, while this one marks the founding of the republic. If you are interested in local history, this distinction places two significant dates in a clear sequence.

A Closer Look at Crafts and Mining

The Fippin Blacksmith Shop building was constructed in 1849 by carpenter John Single. The Secession Days program includes a blacksmith demonstration at the old smithy, the Fippin Blacksmith Shop. The construction date and the demonstration show two different sides of the subject: the date places the building in the town’s early history, while the demonstration features the craft as part of the event. The program may change; check the latest information if you are traveling specifically to see the demonstration.

The Tom Rowe Saw Mill exhibit offers another perspective on craftsmanship. It shows how the sawmill operated: the foreman specified the dimensions of the beams, the sawyer guided the saw blade along a track, and the cut beams were then used to build mine shafts. The process illustrates both the division of labor and the later purpose of the cut timber. If you are planning your visit around the exhibit, check in advance whether it is currently being shown in this form.

Cemetery and Toll-Road History

The Rough and Ready Cemetery adds another perspective on the Gold Rush era to the history of work: it contains many weathered gravestones from that period. Rather than depicting a work process, the gravestones themselves take center stage as historical records.

The original toll house is still standing and dates to around 1862. The historic Toll Road Stake marks a former toll station on the route from Grass Valley to Penn Valley. Travelers had to pay a toll there before the gate was opened. This adds a practical aspect of travel along the former route to the story of settlement and mining.

Dates to Help Plan Your Trip

Two specific event details may also be useful when planning your trip. A free breakfast is held at Grange Hall every fourth Saturday. The Secession Days Chili Cook-off is scheduled for the first Sunday in June. These details involve different calendar considerations: for the breakfast, it is the fourth Saturday; for the cook-off, the first Sunday in June. Check the latest dates and breakfast details before you travel, as schedules and services can change.

Discover more destinations: Penn Valley, Grass Valley, Truckee, Norden, Nevada City.

For the broader travel overview: Nevada.