What ties all the towns and settlements in Nevada County together are their quirks. Things here are just a bit different, and that’s what makes this place so special. One standout spot that visitors must explore is Rough and Ready, California, located between Penn Valley and Grass Valley.
How Did a Town Get a Name Like Rough and Ready?
The town’s name comes from Zachary Taylor, the 12th President of the United States, who was known as “Old Rough and Ready” during the Mexican War. In 1849, a group of men from Wisconsin, led by Captain A.A. Townsend, settled in the area after being drawn to California by the Gold Rush. Having served under Taylor in the war and considering him their hero, they named their company “Rough and Ready” in his honor. The same name was later given to their camp, which eventually became the town.
The Name Fits
Then on April 7, 1850, the town of Rough and Ready, angered at the lack of law and order, and the passage of a new mining tax, voted to secede from the Union and form the Great Republic of Rough and Ready. The Republic lasted less than 3 months when, the story goes, Nevada City refused to sell the “foreign” miners liquor! The town gathered again and decided to re-join the Union… just in time for the 4th of July celebration!
What to Expect
Shortly after its founding in 1849, Rough and Ready was a thriving little town of over 3,000. Almost big enough to become the County Seat. Over the intervening decades, the town went through cycles of growth and contraction, but the community never forgot its roots and its heritage as The Great Republic of Rough and Ready.
Things to Do
Located a short drive from Bridgeport, Rough and Ready is home to one of the longest single-span wooden bridges in America. You’ll find wildflowers in the spring, fall foliage in the autumn, and historic walks, as well as gold panning and living history days throughout the year.
History in Real Life
The spirit of Rough and Ready’s mining past is evident throughout the town. One of the first things you’ll notice are the street names. Some, like “Ironclad,” “Awesome HI,” and “Gamble Ct,” are simple, while others, such as “To Hell and Back Ln,” evoke the town’s rugged mining history.
In addition to the street names, the original toll house, dating back to around 1862, still stands. This toll house once controlled the major turnpike connecting Rough and Ready to Grass Valley, and a plaque proudly proclaims it as “the last original toll house in the West.”
Wildflower Ridge Preserve
As its name suggests, Wildflower Ridge Preserve is one of the best places in the county to witness the early-season bloom of wildflowers, thanks to its low elevation. Within the preserve, you’ll find the Rough and Ready Ditch Trail. This quiet ditch, now serene, was once the first large mining ditch in California, designed to channel water from Deer Creek to the town of Rough and Ready, 13 miles away.
Secession Days
First Sunday in June
More than 170 years after Captain A.A. Townsend founded the settlement, the town continues to celebrate its history, including the three months in 1850 when it briefly seceded from the United States as the Great Republic. This unique moment is honored each year during Secession Days. The town comes alive for the event, welcoming both citizens and visitors to join in the celebration.
The day kicks off with a Pancake Breakfast to raise funds for the Rough and Ready Volunteer Fire Department. Crafters and merchants showcase their goods, and the Town Blacksmith fires up the forge in the Blacksmith Shop. The highlight of the day is the annual musical melodrama, The Saga of Rough and Ready, which humorously explores the town’s early history. A crowd favorite, this fun-filled production is not to be missed!
