History of The Sweetwater Gold Mine in Mariposa County & “Sweetwater Clyde” Foster.

[@royfreitas7583]

Stumbled upon this video, thanks for the history behind the Sweetwater. Been a Mariposa county resident all my life. Grew up on the other side of the Hites Mine at Indian Flat.

[@MinerMaGold]

Hi Roy, thank you for the kind words. I absolutely love the mining history of Mariposa. I hope to do more historical videos of this great county. I have already started to research the Diltz. There are so many wonderful mines that need their story told.

[@jdove6883]

Been there. Thought it was an old haunted shack. But I can see Clyde is not the sort who would haunt or if he was he would be friendly.

[@serendipitous_discoveries]

Great job! So happy we were able to provide photos you could use!

[@MinerMaGold]

Thanks again!

[@serendipitous_discoveries]

I just remembered another interesting tidbit: the ore car batteries were charged up by hydroelectric power using Sweetwater Creek itself. Clyde had gotten ahold of two big inductor coils about 2 or 3 feet tall, built partial enclosures for the them, and labeled them “Hydroelectric #1” and “Hydroelectric #2”. Not fancy but it got the job done!

[@tonyalexander-hz3fh]

@@serendipitous_discoveries good job you silly kids

[@lars2you]

Great video! Be proud! It sure takes me back to the days of prospecting the area with my dad in the 90's. We never got 1000 ounces, but did manage just over one ounce in one season of dredging, We sold it when gold hit $400, haha! Thank you for the video...

[@MinerMaGold]

Glad you enjoyed it! It’s so crazy that gold was 400 an ounce back in the day. I tell everyone I know to buy gold. I love to go into the Fresno coin shop and look at their nuggets and coins.

[@lars2you]

I'll have to check them out! Fun! We always enjoyed stopping at the Coarsegold mining store and checking out their nuggets and specimens, and yakking with the old '49er outside that gave panning lessons to the tourists! I don't remember his name anymore... I miss living so close to the hills, but will be there in a week for some prospecting!

[@MariaangelesPalaciosMansilla]

Clyde was my Uncle. He was a good man. I miss him.

[@MinerMaGold]

Oh my goodness thanks for reaching out. I wish I got the chance to meet him.

[@MinerMaGold]

You know I will be dropping a treasure chest at the mine for my treasure hunts. I am not sure where you live, but u are welcome to come.

[@timothymacmaster7432]

Wonderful video. Join us at the 2024 North Yuba Nugget Hunt. Aloha

[@MinerMaGold]

Thanks! When is the hunt? I might just go! lol!

[@faeriegold9368]

Lovely thnx 😊

[@Mariposa_outlaw_mining_co]

What's very unfortunate is that the tweakers destroyed the mine site. :( After his passing

[@MinerMaGold]

I know and people have tagged it. They leave dirty diapers and trash everywhere. The good news is that it has a new owner 😉 and they are trying very hard to clean it up, fill potholes and educate people on the history. The new claim name is Ode to Sweetwater Clyde.