, 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
Divide in large numbers. There was one route from
Auburn through Yankee Jim's and one from
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 with gold selling for $16 an ounce. In the 1860s, there were about 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 wide main street. Today the town has a marker identifying it as a
California Historical Landmark. The marker is located at 24540 Main Street. ==Geography==