Ben Taylor Home - Grass Valley

The Ben Taylor Home was built in 1866 by Benjamin Franklin Taylor, originally a gold rush 49er. It was the first estate in the gold mining town of Grass Valley, home to the Empire Mine, the Idaho Maryland Mine, the North Star Mine, and the Cassidy (Linden) Mine. Adventurous miners lived in cabins and tents. Grass Valley was the richest gold mining area in California. Ben Taylor, a Kentucky native, stayed and made Grass Valley his home when most others returned to their origins. He was an outstanding horseman and got to know popular folks of his day such as Mark Twain and old Waloopa the local mountain Nisenan Indian leader. Taylor created transportation and food enterprises: ox-drawn wagons for hire, sold tamed wild mustangs, built a toll road to Colfax, owned Buena Vista Ranch, drove 500 head of cattle out from Kansas City, and supplied milk to the local hotels, restaurants, and miners.

On one of his cattle drives, while on the Oregon Trail, he met and later married Ester. Initially, they lived on the Buena Vista Ranch, which was an hour-and-a-half ride to the town of Grass Valley. Ester yearned to live within walking distance to town, so Benj bought this acreage and built the Ben Taylor Home Place, completing it in 1866.

The Ben Taylor Home, had been owned by Taylors descendants for 157 years, and is designated a Class A historic property by the City of Grass Valley and Nevada County. It was sold in November 2021, to Bob and Carrie Curlee, owners of the local Crest Point Farms cattle ranch. The Ben Taylor Home is, for the first time, being made available as a vacation and short-term rental where you may experience its rich history and share the remarkable story.
Located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, you will be able to explore the wealthiest and most famous gold-mining district in California. Grass Valley is the home of the famous Empire Mine which was one of the oldest, deepest and richest gold mines in California. Walk to town and notice the quaint architecture that has been preserved for its rich history. Shop in the many memorable stores in Grass Valley that are owned and operated by its residents. Dine at its eating establishments for an enjoyable dining experience. There are specialty bakery shops, locally roasted coffee houses, tap houses and breweries, wine tasting and even olive oil and balsamic vinegars! Visit the historic Holbrook Hotel; follow the footsteps of Mark Twain; watch a movie at the Del Oro Theatre (1942); visit the picturesque Victorian town of Nevada City; enjoy the refreshingly cool waters of the Yuba River and nearby lakes. Additional day trips include visiting the historic town of Truckee and Lake Tahoe.