Source Materials

NUGGETS FROM THE PAST by Norman McLeod

Markley Hikes Markley Hikes Draft Michael McDonough Norm. & Esther McLeod Norman McLeod Once was an Old Fellow Red Point Monument Saga of Jessie Ferguson Solution to Murder Stages serving the Divide Star Town Hike Star Town Last Chance Hike The Man Who Refused To Die Of Time and Places Past Todd Valley in the '30s Todds Valley School Trail Connecting Divide Yankee Jim's Rd Gold Mining on the Fh Divide Brief History of the Fh. Divide Faithful Stage Horse ‘Old Joe’

A Stroll on Main Street-1861 Along the Santa Fe Trail Bath Survivor Battle of Murphy’s Corral Cap CCC Camp Close Call Deadwood & May Perry Dorothy Tripp Down the Memory Path Early Foresthill European Families Facts Garrison Store Ghost Towns of the Divide Greek Grave Monument Hike to Grouse Falls Hiking on the Divide Interview with Mildred DeMaria Ida & Telephone History John DeMaria Damascus Monument Gold Camps Class notes When Forest Hill became Foresthill Foresthill Divide Has Its Ghosts Robber's Roost

The Original Outlaw Stronghold was Known as Lime Rock Local Indians Used the Rock to Communicate Through Smoke Signals, Until Driven Out by the 49ers The Gassaway Gang Would Wait for a Signal that a Gold Laden Stagecoach was Headed Their Way Four miles east of the Foresthill exit off Interstate 80 on the Foresthill Road is a vista point on your left overlooking the canyon of the North Fork of the American River. On the river’s opposite bank stands an imposing limestone rock formation rising formidably more than 1,000 feet above the river. This celebrated local landmark known first as "Lime Rock," was once the hiding place of an ancient god who descended from heaven to find seclusion and peace in one of its numerous deep caves. Legend has it that on the top side of the Rock is a deep natural shaft that drops 110 feet to a large cavern at its bottom. Early Indians in the area used the Rock’s promontory to send smoke signals to other natives living across the river. After the Indians, were driven out by the flood of 49ers, a band of outlaws known as the Gassaway Gang, once used Lime Rock as a hideout and strategic lookout. A popular legend tells of the mysterious woman who signaled fellow gang members with mirrors on the approach of gold-laden Foresthill stages descending on the Divide side of the river. This female signaler was none other than the gang leader’s sister, Malinda Gassaway. Operations of the Gassaway gang led to the current familiar identity of the Rock as "Robber’s Roost." Its many cavities provided ideal hiding places for the gang. Stories of booty hidden in its numerous caves have persisted many years, making the "Roost" a treasure buff’s delight. ° ° °

Nuggets from the Past Robber's Roost By Norman McLeod