Alleghany, California
Alleghany 1954 - Courtesy of the Bancroft Library
Alleghany Beginnings
Alleghany grew out of a number of early settlements such as Smith’s Flat which began in 1851. Other early settlements where Kanaka Flat, which was located about 2 miles southwest of Alleghany, Wet Ravine which was 1 mile west of Alleghany, Kanaka City which was about 1.5 miles northeast of Alleghany, and Cumberland which was located at the Northeast end of the current town.
The town really began grow in April 1853 when the Alleghany Company (named after the river in Pennsylvania) began the Alleghany Tunnel. The town originally was referred to as Jericho and Alleghany town. The Alleghany Tunnel tapped into a pay streak in 1855 and by spring of 1856, the town of Alleghany was official. In December of 1857 the Chips Flat post office was moved to Alleghany with Joseph Evans as postmaster. Alleghany grew with at least one general store, one dry goods store, one livery stable and butcher shop, three hotels and a saloon.
Alleghany grew out of a number of early settlements such as Smith’s Flat which began in 1851. Other early settlements where Kanaka Flat, which was located about 2 miles southwest of Alleghany, Wet Ravine which was 1 mile west of Alleghany, Kanaka City which was about 1.5 miles northeast of Alleghany, and Cumberland which was located at the Northeast end of the current town.
The town really began grow in April 1853 when the Alleghany Company (named after the river in Pennsylvania) began the Alleghany Tunnel. The town originally was referred to as Jericho and Alleghany town. The Alleghany Tunnel tapped into a pay streak in 1855 and by spring of 1856, the town of Alleghany was official. In December of 1857 the Chips Flat post office was moved to Alleghany with Joseph Evans as postmaster. Alleghany grew with at least one general store, one dry goods store, one livery stable and butcher shop, three hotels and a saloon.
Alleghany Supply Company one of the few early buildings left
Alleghany Fires
A fire started in Bennett’s Hotel In November, 1889 and quickly spread along the upper road destroying 12 buildings in the process. A month later the winter of 1889-1890 brought 14 feet of snow to Alleghany in a single storm. The drifts were so deep that the poor residents dug tunnels to get around town.
In May, 1933, a second large fire started in Green’s Hotel near the center of town and like the fire of 1889, the fire quickly spread along the upper road consuming 12 buildings on both sides of the street between Green’s Hotel and the Plaza.
A fire started in Bennett’s Hotel In November, 1889 and quickly spread along the upper road destroying 12 buildings in the process. A month later the winter of 1889-1890 brought 14 feet of snow to Alleghany in a single storm. The drifts were so deep that the poor residents dug tunnels to get around town.
In May, 1933, a second large fire started in Green’s Hotel near the center of town and like the fire of 1889, the fire quickly spread along the upper road consuming 12 buildings on both sides of the street between Green’s Hotel and the Plaza.
Casey's Bar the only business still operating in Alleghany.
Today only Casey’s Place, the local Bar is the only business left open. The building in which Casey's Place resides was constructed in 1870 by the Bovee family, and known as the "Bovee building". It was run as a dry goods store for many years.
In 1929 the store was purchased by Edna Casey's family who owned it until the 1970s. The bar started during prohibition as a "Speakeasy" underneath the building with the upstairs remaining a dry goods store as a "front". With the end of prohibition in 1935 came the bar was moved upstairs.
In 1929 the store was purchased by Edna Casey's family who owned it until the 1970s. The bar started during prohibition as a "Speakeasy" underneath the building with the upstairs remaining a dry goods store as a "front". With the end of prohibition in 1935 came the bar was moved upstairs.
Alleghany main drag.
Casey's Place established in 1890.
Deer mount over Casey's bar.
Old stove inside Casey's bar.
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Alleghany Supply Company is now the Underground Miners museum.
Inside Casey's bar
Stain glass inside Casey's bar.
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