Author Maria E. Brower is manager of the Doris Foley historical branch of the county library, editor of the county historical society’s newsletter, and founder of the county geneal...view moreAuthor Maria E. Brower is manager of the Doris Foley historical branch of the county library, editor of the county historical society’s newsletter, and founder of the county genealogical society. Choosing from the magnificent archives of the historical society’s Searles Library, she narrates this pictorial saga of a town that once rivaled San Francisco and Sacramento but is content to reign as the antique and still-sparkling gem of the Mother Lode.view less