Poker Flat history begins with the gold rush when extreme quantities of gold were pulled from the district as much as $700,00 per month (period values). Major hydraulic mining rained king from the 1850’s through the 1880’s. Drift and lode mining continued through the early 1900’s.
…a “miserable hole”.
All that remains today is the collapsed Smith house from 1886. The plaque in front of the house tells the tale of Prussian immigrant Henry Cohn who operated a store in Poker Flat from 1857 to 1863. He returned to Germany (Prussia) in 1864 never to return to the states. Henry memorialized his existence in the town in his memoirs entitled “Recollections of My Youth”. On the plaque Henry describes Poker Flat as a “miserable hole”. The town burned twice and allegedly got its name from the extensive gambling carried on by the areas miners.
… a half mile up hill over bowling balls.
Today several campsites exist with fire rings and a crude pit toilet. The area is surrounded on all sides by active placer mines and even a few miners. The road down into Poker Flat from Downieville was moderately difficult and required no lockers or winches. Crossing the creek wasn’t to bad either. The road out north of camp towards La Porte was a little tougher, likened to a half mile up hill over bowling balls. Your gonna need a 4×4. Please comment below if you have been!
