Apr 112011
McLaughlin’s Daffodil Hill Ranch in Volcano, California.
Daffodil Hill is a 4 acre ranch that has been in the same family since 1887. Wagon pioneers Arthur and Lizzie McLaughlin were the original owners. The ranch was a stopping place for drivers bringing timber down from the Sierras to the Kennedy and Argonaut mines, during the gold rush. Now it is open to the public and lives on donations. There are over 300 varieties of daffodil’s and they plant an average of 6000 new bulbs every year. It is typically open from Mid March to Mid April, but mother nature is the real determining factor. The ranch opens when 25% of the bulbs are in bloom, and closes when only 25% of the bulbs remain.
The town of Volcano, formerly known as Soldiers Gulch started as a mining town, and grew to be quite large at the height of the gold rush. It now has a population of 85. The entire town is a California Historical Landmark. As you enter the town, you run straight into the St. George Hotel. Built in 1862 it is a 3 story brick building with 14″ thick walls. It houses a wonderful restaurant and a bar that is a must for it’s funky character.
The Argonaut mine opened in 1850 and closed in 1942. The Kennedy mine ran from 1860 until 1942, and was one of the richest mines in the world. Walking tours are now available throughout the property to learn the history of mining in the area. This area used hydraulic mining, and while not as devastating to the landscape as the hydraulic mining in the North San Juan area, its destruction is visible.
Regarding the photography. Daffodil hill is a photographers paradise. The grounds are ripe with old out buildings, farm equipment, and any type of container that was laying around and became a planter for bulbs. There are peacocks and other birds running around and photo ops everywhere you turn.Some interesting links if you are heading there.
http://www.daffodilfestivals.com/insidetemp.php?festid=1359
http://www.stgeorgehotel.com/
http://www.kennedygoldmine.com/
http://www.daffodilfestivals.com/insidetemp.php?festid=1359
http://www.stgeorgehotel.com/
http://www.kennedygoldmine.com/