Editing Foresthill, California (section)

== History ==
[[File:Gold-221313.jpg|thumb|Gold specimen from the [[Eagles Nest mine]],  about 2 miles east of Foresthill. This is the premier mine for specimen gold in California, and this specimen appeared on the cover  of a book and a major magazine. Among mineral collectors, it is widely known as the "Cover Gold". Size 5.5 x 4.5 x 2.5 cm.|left]]

Foresthill is located on a broad ridge between the North and Middle Forks of the [[American River]] on the gold-bearing gravel bed of an ancient river.

In the spring of 1850, miners came to the Forest Hill [[Drainage divide|Divide]] in large numbers. There was one route from [[Auburn, California|Auburn]] through Yankee Jim's and one from [[Coloma, California|Coloma]]. At the junction of these trails, the Forest House hotel and trading post was built. The height of mining activity in Foresthill began in 1853 after a winter landslide at the head of Jenny Lind Canyon exposed numerous nuggets of gold. The Jenny Lind mine produced about $2,500 of gold a day for a while, up to a total output over $1 million by 1880. The combined production of all the mines in the Forest Hill area was estimated at $10 million by 1868<ref name="CHL">{{cite ohp|399|Foresthill|2012-10-11}}</ref> with gold selling for $16 an ounce.

In the 1860s, there were about {{convert|125000|ft|m}} of hard-rock tunnels dug into the hillsides in, around and under Foresthill. By 1857, this area had become an important center for trade among the many gold camps on the divide. In 1862, the Hardy-Kennedy building was erected - the first fireproof store in Foresthill. This building, now known as the Langstaff building, is still being used by the merchants of Foresthill.

By 1880, Foresthill was one of the largest towns in Placer County, with an {{convert|80|ft|m|adj=on}} wide main street.  Today the town has a marker identifying it as a [[California Historical Landmark]].<ref name="CHL" /> The marker is located at 24540 Main Street.