Comstock Bonanza Press Bookstore

BOOKS ABOUT CALIFORNIA

GOLD RUSH HISTORY • GOLD MINING • PIONEER FAMILIES • FRONTIER SETTLEMENTS • EARLY NEWSPAPERS • NEVADA COUNTY VITAL RECORDS • FOOTHILLS GUIDEBOOKS • SIERRA NEVADA HISTORY

*The Great Depression (1929-1941)*
THE 1930s: NO DEPRESSION HERE by Gage McKinney The astonishing story of how a depressed rural region in the 1920s was unexpectedly transformed after the Stock Market Crash of 1929 into a scene of vibrant activity and record employment. Gold from the richest mining districts of California made boom towns of Grass Valley and Nevada City while the rest of America staggered under the burdens of unemployment, financial failure and collapse. It wasn't all peaches and cream—some refugees from the cities and the Dust Bowl suffered before finding their way to the region, but they found jobs that paid living wages.	Families soon were buying homes and automobiles and appliances, further spurring the local economy. Amazingly, the population of the area doubled between 1930 and 1940, during which time the region benefited from the work relief programs inaugurated by President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal, and local leaders attracted public works projects that renewed the local infrastructure. This is probably the most upbeat account ever written about the Great Depression—and every word is true. California historian Kevin Starr calls it "a first-rate work of regional history." 632 pp. 150 illus, 3 maps; paper $30.00
*California Gold Rush (1848-1860)*
BRIDES OF THE GOLD RUSH 1851-1859 by David Allan Comstock Many of California's forty-niners returned home, married their Eastern sweethearts and brought their brides back to the mining camps. From contemporary news accounts and hundreds of actual letters written to and from the gold fields we get an intimate look at the rough and tumble (frequently violent) era of the 1850s. 444 pp. illus. maps; hardcover $15.00 paperback edition $10.00	150 YEARS AGO: A Sketch of Nevada County, California by Aaron A. Sargent; arranged and annotated by David A. Comstock The author of this compact history was only 28 when he wrote it, barely eight years after gold was found at Sutter's Mill. He witnessed, or heard at one remove, most of the events described. Sargent was a journalist and lawyer who later served as Congressman, U.S. Senator and Minister to Germany. (A Gold Discovery Sesquicentennial publication.) 32 pp. illus; paper $4.50
NEWS & ADVERTISING IN THE EARLY GOLD CAMPS of Nevada County, California (1850 to 1862) compiled and annotated by David A. Comstock Each volume in this series contains all the vital statistics and most significant local stories (as well as many unique and important items about state, national and world events and celebrities) contained in surviving copies of local newspapers. Everything likely to interest historians and genealogists is here, plus notes to correct errors of fact and spelling, or to call attention to items that are omitted for reasons of space or narrowness of scope (e.g. lists of delinquent taxpayers or undelivered letters at the post offices) so researchers can find the missing information in library microfilms. (Primary sources: Nevada Democrat, Nevada Journal, Morning Transcript and Young America of Nevada City; Grass Valley Telegraph and Grass Valley National. Secondary sources: Alta California and California Courier of San Francisco; Placer Times, Transcript and Union of Sacramento; Marysville Herald.) 1850-52. 228 pp. large format; comb-binding $30.00 1853. 178 pp. large format; comb-binding $25.00 1854. 195 pp. large format; comb-binding $25.00 1855. 169 pp. large format; comb-binding $25.00	1856. 260 pp. large format; comb-binding $30.00 1857. 282 pp. large format; comb-binding $30.00 1858. 279 pp. large format; comb-binding $30.00 1859. 243 pp. large format; comb-binding $30.00 1860. 330 pp. large format; comb-binding $35.00 NEW! 1861. 499 pp. large format; comb-binding; 2 volume set $65.00 NEW! 1862. 411 pp. large format; comb-binding; 2 volume set $55.00
*Gold Mining Towns During and After the Civil War*
GREENBACKS & COPPERHEADS 1859-1869 by David Allan Comstock California pioneers in the turbulent 1860s. Many rushed to Virginia City’s silver mines and made fortunes. They took opposing sides during the Civil War, and helped plan and build a giant transcontinental railroad to link East and West. Based on hundreds of letters, journals and newspaper accounts. (Sequel to Brides of the Gold Rush.) 428 pp. illus. maps; hardcover $15.00 paperback edition $10.00	HIGHLY RESPECTABLE FAMILIES: The Cornish of Grass Valley by Shirley Ewart (with Harold T. George) Cornish tin miners—the world's most experienced underground mineworkers—began rushing to California in 1849. By 1870 “Cousin Jacks” and “Cousin Jennies,” as they were known, were so numerous in Grass Valley that their traditions and customs began to shape the ethical and moral standards of the entire community. 192 pp. illus. maps, glossary; paper $11.50
1895 PICTORIAL HISTORY of Nevada County, California by W. F. Prisk Jr., J. E. Poindestre, Samuel Butler, David and Ardis Comstock This lavishly illustrated book is a treasure-trove of long-forgotten information, including 290 rare photos and drawings, and 2,000 cross-referenced listings of residents, towns, mines, businesses, schools, churches, etc. Combines two unusual and antique publications first published in 1895 at Grass Valley. 192 pp. large format, illus; paper $20.00	INDEX to the 1880 History of Nevada County, California compiled by Ardis and David Comstock Early county historians often neglected to index their books, driving researchers wild. Now the contents of Thompason and West's comprehensive work are accessible, with over 7,500 cross-referenced listings. Correct spellings and missing given names or initials are supplied, and women are listed under given and married names. 84 pp. large format; comb-binding $17.50
*California Underground Gold Mining (1851-1956)*
GOLD IN QUARTZ: The Legendary Idaho Maryland Mine by Jack Clark The nation’s largest gold producer in 1866-1871, and the California leader during 1873-1892. Amazingly, the Idaho Maryland’s output was ten times greater in 1939-1941, second only to the giant Homestake Mine in South Dakota. Here is the complete history, as told by the only man (except the owners) who had such unique access to operations above and below ground, and was underground superintendent when it closed in 1956. 288 pp. illus. maps, glossary; hardcover $34.00	WHEN MINERS SANG: The Grass Valley Carol Choir by Gage McKinney When Cornish miners immigrated to America they brought with them a unique tradition of glee clubs and carol singing. This music had its public premiere at Grass Valley in 1875, and Cornish-inspired carol choirs have been performing ever since. A history of how and where it began, and who wrote, directed and performed the music. 300 pp. illus. maps; paper $12.50
*California Miscellany*
NEVADA COUNTY VITAL STATISTICS 1850-1869 compiled by Ardis and David Comstock Many important early records of Nevada County, California, were destroyed by fires, but information for this book was gleaned from cemeteries, newspapers, letters, diaries and family records to produce lists of births, marriages, separations, divorces, naturalizations and deaths. Includes names of clergymen who served the area. 108 pp. large format; comb-binding $20.00	LAUNCHED INTO ETERNITY: Lynchings and Judicial Executions in 19th Century Nevada County by Orval Bronson Between 1851 and 1884, thirteen men were executed in Nevada County. Of the thirteen, six were hanged by vigilantes and seven were hanged after judicial trials. Three others, in jail awaiting execution, escaped hanging—two by suicide and one by intervention of the California Supreme Court. 116 pp. illus; paper $19.00
*California Before the Gold Rush (1775-1848)*
FELICIANA'S CALIFORNIA MIRACLE by Esther J. Comstock Capt. Juan Bautista de Anza brought a company of Mexican colonists to Alta California in 1775, including a young widow and her two daughters. After enduring a dangerous and exciting journey, Feliciana Gutierrez de Arballo arrived at Mission San Gabriel, where she remarried and eventually became the matriarch of a California dynasty. 178 pp. illus. glossary; hardcover $8.50	VALLEJO & THE FOUR FLAGS: A True Story of Early California by Esther J. Comstock Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo's life story is the history of California! After the Mexican revolt against Spain he joined the army at age 15, eventually becoming a general. The California Bear Flag was created in his house while Vallejo was held prisoner at Sutter's Fort, and he helped write the State Constitution after the American victory. 142 pp. illus. glossary; paper $10.00
*California Twentieth Century*
TULE LAKE: From Relocation to Segregation by Harold S. Jacoby In 1942 the U.S. Government removed most persons of Japanese ancestry (including American-born citizens) from their Pacific Coast homes and put them in ten relocation centers. This inside story of one such camp, written by a former staff member, is meant to provide a balanced and accurate picture of what really took place. 122 pp. illus; paper $8.50	SHOWDOWN AT THE BOUZY ROUGE: People v. PG&E by Tom Nadeau; illus. by Jeri Janis When a wildfire burned homes and 500 acres of land around the historic town of Rough and Ready, the local district attorney filed 767 criminal charges against the nation's largest investor-owned utility. Special prosecutor Jenny E. Ross used PG&E's own documents to convict the utility giant. A great (true) tale, wonderfully told. 116 pp. illus. maps; paper $8.50
*Contemporary California*
EXPLORING NEVADA COUNTY; An Illustrated Guide to Local Landmarks and Historic Sites REVISED EDITION by the Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission 188 photos and 19 maps show where to find over 190 landmarks scattered throughout Nevada County. Use it to plan family outings and entertain guests. Identifies buildings and sites in Truckee, Nevada City, Grass Valley, Rough and Ready, Chicago Park, Penn Valley, Washington, North BLoomfield and North San Juan. 160 pp. illus. maps; paper $16.50	WILDFLOWER WALKING in Lakes Basin of the Northern Sierra by Toni Fauver; illus. by Marion Steinbach Trail maps and the author's incisive descriptions guide you along the beautiful trails of Lakes Basin in the upper elevations of Sierra and Plumas counties. Abundant water from lakes, creeks and springs combines with forests, meadows and rocky terrain to create a diverse flora that blooms in profusion in the summer. 272 pp. 229 illus. maps, lists; paper $16.50
WILDFLOWER WALKS AND ROADS in the Sierra Gold Country by Toni Fauver; illus. by Martha Kemp This beautifully illustrated guide tells how to locate and identify hundreds of plants native to California's Gold Country. Eight mini-regions (from Madera and Mariposa counties in the south, to Butte County in the north) are examined by the author, an expert in the field. Lists trails, parks and likely spots to find each flower and plant. 368 pp. 300 illus, maps, lists; paper $16.50 SHIPPING INFORMATION During final Checkout (after giving your account information) you will be able to choose an alternate method of shipping: 1. Standard U.S. Media Mail: 1-2 weeks; $3.75 for first book, $0.75 for each additional book. 2. U.S. Priority Mail: 3-5 days; $5.00 for first book, $1.00 for each additional book. If this is a gift, be sure to specify a different shipping address, and fill out any optional note if prompted during final checkout. When you are finished shopping you may view your cart and proceed to checkout.	BELONGING: A Tale of Downieville and California's Modern Gold Country by Bill Pieper (A Novel) The year is 1974 and friction between newcomers and local residents is on the rise on the north fork of the Yuba Rover. To be reelected, Sheriff Buck Thompson must seek the backing of former flatlanders who despise his “old-boy” connections. Then a tragic drowning changes nearly everything in this moving novel about the meaning of place. 196 pp; paper $10.95 *ON LINE, BUT OFF* THE GRID! When we began publishing California history in 1979 we had no telephone, and no power but what we generated ourselves. In 1989 we installed a battery-powered stationary microwave phone connection, and in 1999 we began using solar power to run our computers, printers and lights. In 2000 the old phone system bit the dust and was replaced by a cell phone, and in mid-2008 we obtained our wireless link to the internet. We still operate in the woods, miles away from paved roads, power poles and water lines. Sure, we're a little behind the times, but what else could you expect from a couple of octogenarians who care so much about history? COMSTOCK BONANZA PRESS** 18919 William Quirk Mem Dr, Grass Valley, CA 95945-8611 Phone: 530-263-2906 email: info@comstockbonanza.com