Pre 1850 – The region is extremely remote, yet several Spanish decendant families already live in the area. These include Hernandez, Larios, Castro, Lopez, Tridado, Cantua, Urruttia, Amaro and Murrieta.
1851 – Discovery of the Aurora Mine. Jesse Smith and some Californios from San Juan Bautista discovered what they believed is silver ore. They form the Aurora Mining Company the following year. However, instead of silver ore, they had discovered chromite ore and their mine is a dismal failure.
1854, March 20 – Cinnabar is discovered near the Aurora Mine. Claim filed for "New Idria" by Henry F. Pitts, Rafael Ripa, José Dolores Molina, and William Norrlin.
1855, June – New Idria Mine partner, Peter Collins is murdered while returning to the mine from San Juan Bautista.
1857, October – Workers construct the first brick furnace to roast the cinnabar ore into mercury.
1857, November – The first run of the new furnace yields 400 pounds of quicksilver, the second run yields 900 pounds.
