The history of Idria began at a time when California was undergoing tremendous social chaos. While Idria's history is not as destructive as the chaos that resulted from the 18th century Spanish/European invasions that forever changed the ethnographic and environmental balance that had been maintained by the California Indians for thousands of years, it is none-the-less another moment of chaotic change where racism, hatred, petty bias and simple intolerance caused crime, bloodshed and social injustice. However, somehow, the people of New Idria were able to work through its differences. New Idria eventually became a place that is best described by Julius Nuñez, the great-grandson of Ignacio Nuñez who came to the mine in 1860: "At the mines, we were one big happy family."
Early census and cemetery records for New Idria reflect the many cultures represented there. Names like: Bacco, Castro, Fernandez, Hicks, Holderegger, Kung, Larios, Ling, Lounage, Queen, Slescovich, Toshuas, Travior, and Woo. Many of the Chinese and Indians were simply known by a first name only, such as Jim, Sam and Tim. Nationalities included Basque, Chilean, Chinese, Cornish, English, French, Irish, Mexican, Portuguese, Prussian, Spanish, and Swedish, and of course, most of the States of the union were represented as well. Certainly many problems arose out of all of this difference, but in the end they simply became "...one big happy family." Perhaps much more was achieved at New Idria than we yet understand.
There are many historic and prehistoric resources in and around the Idria property. Of course, the New Idria town site and the remaining mining relics are all historic resources, some more than one hundred years old. A nearby adobe cabin dates from 1860 and prehistoric sites are estimated to originate from the middle prehistoric period (perhaps 1,500 years old). Although several sites have been identified, only one site, which contains both historic and prehistoric elements, has been recorded.
Nunez Family at Idria, ca. 1914 - Copyright - courtesy Ashurst collection.
