Chicago Park, California
| Chicago Park | |
|---|---|
| Unincorporated community | |
 Chicago Park
|
|
| Coordinates: 39°08′43″N 120°58′02″W / 39.14528°N 120.96722°WCoordinates: 39°08′43″N 120°58′02″W / 39.14528°N 120.96722°W | |
| Country |
 United States
|
| State |
 California
|
| County | Nevada |
| Named for | Chicago |
| Elevation | 2,313 ft (705 m) |
| Time zone | Pacific (UTC-8) |
| • Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| ZIP code | 95712 |
| Area code | 530 |
| GNIS feature ID | 258262 |
Chicago Park (formerly: Storms Station) is an unincorporated historic agricultural community in Nevada County, California. It is located along Highway 174, with its center at the intersection of Mt. Olive Road. It is about 9 miles southeast of Grass Valley and about 3 miles north of Colfax.
Prior to the 1840s, this area was populated by the Nisenan, sometimes referred to as Southern Maidu. Emigrants to California then began to arrive. In August 1849, what is reported to have been Nevada County's second store was erected by a Mr. Findley on land overlooking the junction of the Bear River and Greenhorn Creek. One of the earliest settlers was Simmon P. Storms, who developed a ranch which, among other things, hosted sporting events such as wrestling matches and bear fights. A local newspaper reported "If you wish to seek a pleasant locality for spending the day, where after a good ride over a smooth road, where you can enjoy a cool and delightful lounge and excellent dinner, go to Storms."
In 1854, area residents led by Mr. Storms succeeded in having the Nisenan removed to a reservation near Tehama, California. During that period, Benjamin Taylor settled on a ranch in the area which he named Buena Vista, after the Mexican War battle in which he had participated, and engaged in farming and horse breeding. Others who settled in the area, such as the Louis Orzalli family, found it very suitable for growing fruit, especially pears. Joseph Shebley established a fish hatchery and picnic grounds. In 1883, he sold the hatchery to the California Fish Commission which abandoned it a few years later. Mr. Ambergh established a brewery. Gold mining was also prevalent.
In 1872, the Coleman Brothers purchased the Buena Vista and Storms ranches, and other properties in the area, as they were developing the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad, known affectionately as the "Never Come Never Go." Completed in 1876, the Railroad connected the area to the transcontinental railroad at Colfax, spurring its agricultural development. Among other things, the Colemans established a saw mill and cleared land of trees to build the Railroad and to feed the Railroad's steam locomotives. Stations in the area were established at Storms Ranch, just south of present Lakewood Lane; at Buena Vista, just south of the present intersection of You Bet Road and Highway 174; and at Peardale. The Railroad provided a good means of transporting agricultural products to market. Still standing at the intersection of Mount Olive and Lower Colfax Roads is the Pacific Fruit Packing Shed, built in 1930 alongside the railroad tracks, to replace an earlier shed which collapsed in a snowstorm.
The Railroad also brought people to Chicago Park for recreation at sites such as Shebley's Pond. In 1908, the Railroad was rerouted to run directly through Chicago Park, causing the Chicago Park station to be relocated close to where the packing shed now stands. The Railroad was discontinued in the 1940s and the bridge across the Bear River was removed in 1963 to make way for Rollins Dam.
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