Settled in 1850 by Mr. Savage, the first locations on Smith's Flat were made in 1851. The company consisted of Big Smith Frank Powers, Thomas Dunham, Elihu Mosgrove and Davie Lewis. The diggings were named Brownsville in 1852 by a company of sailors; Bob Ritshie, Little Ned and Mr. Brown. The area was also known as Yomana and Forks of Oregon Creek. With a growth to 1400 in nine months time, the camp was renamed Elizaville, after Mrs. W.S. Davis and in 1853 Forest City by Mrs. Moody. In May 1854, the town boasted 7 provision stores, 4 clothing stores, a tin shop, 2 livery stables, 2 meat markets, 4 blacksmiths and 5 hotels, the two largest being the Read Hose (T.A. Read, Prop.) and the Merchants Hotel ( Mr. Pratt, Prop.). In 1854 the diggings on the flat paid an ounce a day clear to the man. The best paying mines were Live Yankee, Dutch Empire, Hawkeys, Little Rock, Rough and Ready, Get Away, Don Jose, Manhattan, American, Free and Easy, and Girard. Forest City is one of the richest gold areas in the Northern Mines Region.
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