Test Your Knowledge of Sonora

Ready for another test in the "Testing Your Knowledge of the Mother Lode" series? Well even if you aren't, how could I leave out Sonora after all? Sonora has an incredible past. Let's find out how much you know about it (or don't know):

1. One year prior to what is considered to be the first "official" find, gold was discovered in Sonora in 1848 by: (a) S. S. Bradford; (b) Joe and Seamon Cabezut; (c) E. C. Frisbie; (d) the Macomber brothers.

2. During the Gold Rush days thousands of miners left town when a state tax was levied against them based partly on prejudice. What was the race of these miners? (a) French and Indian; (b) French and Italian; (c) French and Mexican; (d) Indian and Mexican.

3. The historic St. James Episcopal ("Red") Church of Sonora was built in 1860. Part of the grounds behind the main chapel was discovered to be sinking due to: (a) too much rain one winter; (b) it stands on a graveyard; (c) termites have eaten away the foundation; (d) the huge abandoned gold mine directly underneath.

4. The largest gold mine in Sonora (and the Mother Lode for that matter) was the Big Bonanza Mine located on Piety Hill near the "Red" Church. A body of almost pure gold was discovered there by three partners which yielded: (a) $160,000 in gold in one day; (b) $500,000 in gold in one week; (c) $500,000 in gold in one day; (d) a & b.

5. A thriving community of the following people group holds a special place in Sonora's past. At one time in the 1860s and 1870s they had numerous stores that took up the entire block between Stewart, Shepherd, Bradford and Lyons streets. These people were of what descent? (a) Chinese; (b) Mexican; (c) Indian; (d) Japanese.

6. Sonora was not without it's disasters. On June 18, 1852, nearly every building from Church Street to the "Red" Church along Washington Street were destroyed by: (a) an earthquake; (b) fire; (c) a tornado; (d) flooding.

7. Many filmings have taken place in the greater area surrounding Sonora including: (a) Dirty Mary Crazy Larry (1974); (b) Marx Brothers Go West (1940); (c) The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979); (d) all of the above.

Answers: 1. (b) 2. (c) 3. (d) 4. (d) 5. (a) 6. (b) 7. (d)

(This test was developed and based on information from the following websites: Wikipedia - Sonora, Yosemite Gold Country, Sierra Foothill Magazine - Sonora and Welcome to the City of Sonora.)