Mount Diablo Coal Field!

Mount Diablo Coal Field
Landmark #932 Contra Costa County Visited: February 15, 2014 Plaque?  YES! 🙂
What is it? A plaque and some scattered ruins from one of California’s largest mining districts!
What makes it historical? THE GUIDE SAYS: This was the largest coal-mining district in California from 1860 to 1914, with five towns-Nortonville, Somersville, Stewartsville, Judsonville, and West Hartley-near twelve major mines. Today the towns are gone, their buildings moved to other communities after the mines closed – the East Bay Regional Park District is preserving mine openings, tailings, railroad beds, and a pioneer cemetery.

OTHER TIDBITS: This landmark is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places!

How can I Help the Helpers? HERE’S HOW:

  • Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
  • Volunteer with the East Bay Regional Park District!
  • Donate to the Regional Parks Foundation!
  • Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
Where is this place? LISTED DIRECTIONS:
Black Diamond Mines Regional Park
from State Hwy 4 take Somersville Rd 3.9 mi S
Antioch, CA 94509

ANNOTATIONS:
Specifically, if you go all the way down Somersville Road, you’ll end up in a parking lot, where you’ll find the plaque!

From Los Angeles: ~359mi (578km) — 6hrs
From Sacramento: ~64mi (103km) — 1.1hrs
From San Diego: ~480mi (773km) — 8hrs
From San Francisco: ~46mi (75km) — 0.8hrs

When should I go? The park gate opens at 8:00 AM every day, but whether it closes at 5:00, 6:00, or 7:00 PM varies by season! Try to get there before 5:00 if you want to see the plaque!

Click here to see more California historical landmarks!

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