Scene on Main Street The Columbia district was one of the richest gold producing regions in the State. It is said to have yielded $87,000,000 worth of gold, based on rates from $18.00 to $21.00 per ounce. The results of the miners' prodigious labors are to be seen on every side for miles around. Disastrous Fires As with other early mining towns, Columbia suffered several costly fires. Fires destroyed a large portion of the town's business district on July 10, 1854. The frame buildings thus lost were quickly rebuilt, and this time more brick was used. Some of these brick buildings still stand. On August 25, 1857, fire again wiped out all of the frame structures and numerous brick ones in an area of some 13 square blocks. Six men lost their lives in this disaster. Several brick structures which were saved from the flames, as well as some erected soon after the fire, are still in use. These buildings have large, double iron doors and window shutters, designed to prevent the spread of fire. These iron doors and shutters are characteristic of California's old mining towns. 4