Rough and Ready, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rough and Ready
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A scene in Rough and Ready near the Historic Toll House
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 Rough and Ready
Location in California
Rough and Ready
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | |
| State | California | |
| County | Nevada | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 3.170 sq mi (8.210 km2) | |
| • Land | 3.170 sq mi (8.210 km2) | |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) 0% | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 905 | |
| • Density | 285.49/sq mi (110.23/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) | |
| ZIP codes |
95975
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| Area code(s) | 530 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 2628785 | |
| Official name: Little Town of Rough and Ready | ||
| Reference #: | 294 | |
Rough and Ready is a small community in Nevada County, California, United States. It is located west of Grass Valley, California, about 62 miles (100 km) from Sacramento. In 2020, about 905 people lived there. Rough and Ready is known for its unusual name!
Contents
History of Rough and Ready
The first group to settle in Rough and Ready arrived in the fall of 1849. This was during the exciting time of the California Gold Rush. A mining company from Wisconsin called the Rough and Ready Company started the settlement.
Their leader, Captain A. A. Townsend, named the company after General Zachary Taylor. General Taylor was a famous military leader who later became the 12th President of the United States. He was nicknamed "Old Rough and Ready." Captain Townsend had served under him in an earlier war.
The Great Republic of Rough and Ready
On April 7, 1850, the town of Rough and Ready did something very unusual. It declared itself a separate country! They called it The Great Republic of Rough and Ready. The main reason for this was to avoid paying mining taxes.
However, this "country" did not last long. Less than three months later, on July 4, they voted to rejoin the United States. Today, people in Rough and Ready celebrate this old republic every year. It's a fun way to attract visitors and show local pride.
Post Office and Fires
The post office in Rough and Ready opened in February 1851. Its first postmaster was Marcus Nutting. The town's ZIP Code is 95975, and its area code is 530. The post office closed a few times over the years but always reopened.
In 1988, a large fire called the 49er Fire started nearby. It accidentally began near Highway 49. This fire burned over 33,000 acres in Nevada County. Many homes and buildings in and around Rough and Ready were destroyed.
Rough and Ready Today
Today, only a few original buildings remain in Rough and Ready. These are located along the Rough and Ready Highway. In the mid-1980s, a new road, State Route 20, was built around the town.
Some of the oldest buildings still standing include:
- The blacksmith shop, built in the 1850s.
- The Odd Fellows Hall, built in 1854. This building is now the Rough and Ready Grange Hall.
- The Old Toll House.
The town of Rough and Ready is recognized as a special place in California history. It is a California Historical Landmark (#294).
Geography
Rough and Ready covers an area of about 3.2 square miles (8.2 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population Information
In 2010, the population of Rough and Ready was 963 people. By 2020, it had slightly decreased to 905 people. Most of the people living in Rough and Ready live in homes, not in group housing.
See also
In Spanish: Rough and Ready (California) para niños
