Kennedy Tailing Wheels Park

Located north of Jackson, CA, about a mile along Jackson Gate Road, the Kennedy Tailing Wheels Park displays the last two of four original tailing wheels at a height of 58 feet that were used to clean gold mining waste from water that drained to local farmers.

The Kennedy Tailing Wheels were built in 1914 and ran continuously until 1942 when the Kennedy Gold Mine closed. As a result of the gold rush, the state of California passed laws prohibiting gold mining waste from being dumped into rivers and streams. The tailing wheels worked in succession with flumes to remove mining debris from the water. The wheels were uncovered in 1942 when the iron buildings housing the wheels were removed for scrap metal. Two of the original tailing wheels have fallen, but efforts have been made recently to preserve the remaining two as historical landmarks.

The park remains open daily and includes a kiosk with historical photographs and information pertaining to the tailing wheels, restrooms, and picnic benches.

Kennedy Tailing Wheels Park is located by car about one hour southeast of downtown Sacramento, CA. Visitors can also enjoy various tourist sites nearby: Black Chasm Cavern National Landmark, Mercer Caverns, Sutter Gold Mining, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, and California Cavern State Historic Landmark.