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NEWSLETTER AND LIBRARY
Learn more about the history, innovation, and impact of underground gold mining in California.
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Annual Membership Meeting
The annual membership meeting is scheduled for Saturday May 23, 2026 at the museum 356 Main Street, Alleghany. 10:00 AM Please RSVP by email undergroundgold33@gmail.com if you plan on attending. Open to current members and sponsors only.
Underground Gold Miners Museum
Apr 241 min read


Steven Bell
STEVEN CHARLES BELL February 17, 1968 – January 25, 2026 Steven Bell Age 14 Steven was born in Simi Valley, California to Don and Audrey Bell. The family (parents and four kids) moved to Northern California in 1974 to pursue Don Bell’s gold mining ambitions and to get out of suburbia. In 1975 the family moved to the Mott Cabin at The Ruby Mine located (as the crow flies) between the towns of Alleghany and Downieville. The drive to Alleghany was shorter than to Downieville,
Underground Gold Miners Museum
Feb 283 min read


Newsletter - November 2025
In Memory of Thomas “Bud” DeGrio April 28, 1945 – December 21, 2024 It is with a heavy heart that we dedicate this year’s newsletter to the memory of longtime museum director Thomas “Bud” DeGrio. A miner through and through, Bud started working in the local gold mines with his dad at age 11. In his own words: “It was April 1961, my 16th birthday! I couldn’t wait to “hire on” at the 16 to 1 gold mine for the summer. The mine Boss was Wilford Hart; underground Boss, Tom Hog
Underground Gold Miners Museum
Nov 8, 20258 min read


UGMM is seeking professionals in the area of mining, geology and especially history to review a manuscript.
Underground Gold Miners Museum (UGMM) is working with the daughter of mining geologist and historian Willard “Bill” Fuller to publish her...
Underground Gold Miners Museum
Sep 26, 20257 min read


Doc Hardie's Ledger
Independent Messenger – Thursday August 23, 1984 EXCERPTS FROM DR. W.G. HARDIE’S MEDICAL LEDGER By Joe Smith The following entries were...
Underground Gold Miners Museum
Jul 8, 20254 min read


New lighting installed in museum
For at least three years, the lights over the Phil O'Donnell drill collection haven't worked. With the help of a generous donation from...
Underground Gold Miners Museum
Jun 25, 20251 min read


Thomas "Bud" DeGrio
Thomas “Bud” Michel DeGrio passed away unexpectedly on the 21st of December 2024 surrounded by family in Sonora, CA. Bud was born April...
Underground Gold Miners Museum
Mar 10, 20252 min read
Annual Membership Meeting
Date and Time: Saturday May 31, 2025 11 am Location: Underground Gold Miners Museum 356 Main Street, Alleghany Informational Documents...
Underground Gold Miners Museum
Feb 27, 20251 min read


November 2024 Newsletter
(Printable PDF linked below) Preserving History an Iota at a Time Thirty Years and Counting! On February 16, 2025, Underground Gold...
Underground Gold Miners Museum
Nov 7, 20247 min read
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