First published June 15, 2018 The largest and most powerful of bears, the California grizzly, thrived in New Spain when European explorers first set eyes on the land. At their peak, approximately 10,000 grizzlies lived in California making the population one of the densest in the Pacific Northwest. “The grizzlies are the commonest kind of bear found in California, and are …
Name History: Oustomah, Deer Creek Dry Diggings & Nevada City
First published May 30, 2018 Before the Gold Rush: The Nisenan people called the Nevada City area Oustomah. At one time, it was home to approximately 2,000 Indians. It was part of a network of villages along Deer Creek. August 1849: According to, California Place Name, Deer Creek was named by Isaac Wistar and Mr. Hunt after leaving a freshly-killed deer. Hostile Indians …
