History of Sierra County, Part 3
With the discovery of gold and silver in the mountains, the mining towns of Hillsboro, Kingston, Lake Valley, Chloride and Winston sprang up in Sierra County. Conflicts between the miners and the Native Americans resulted, the latter being
subdued by the U.S. Army. With the Apache no longer in the area, cattle ranchers moved in to claim the available vast grazing lands. The mines declined around the turn of the century, but the mining and ranching communities remain as colorful small towns with active residents. Ranching and farming are still major industries in Sierra County.