Goodyear Brothers are given the credit for founding the town of Goodyears Bar in Sierra County. The "Bar" part coming from the sandy gravel "mining" bars of this region. Goodyears Bar got its' name more than ten years before the Civil war, when in 1849, Miles and Andrew Goodyear came to this area and built its' first permanent home. The town of Goodyears Bar is where the streams of Rock Creek, Woodruff Creek and Goodyears Creek meet the North Yuba River. Miles and Andrew Goodyear where the brothers, among the first miners here in 1849. The brothers arrived along with some friends. The Goodyears, Dr. Vaughan and Mr. Morrison where the first to establish real homes here.

Miles was the more notable of the brothers and was one of the last of the Mountain Men who settled the West. Miles Morris Goodyear held many jobs and titles during his life. Having been described as a trapper, scout, and when the beaver became exhasted, a trader, wagon overseer, and guide for wagon trains coming over the Oregon Trail. He is provably most noted for the first settlement in Utah, that being the town of Ogden, Utah. No doubt he picked up some gold at Goodyears Bar. But he was more at home traveling and exploring the mountains trying to help or guide others thereby making his living.

After Miles and Andrew had arrived in Goodyears Bar, Major Downie meet them by coming down the Yuba River from the Forks, (now named Downieville). Major Downie was in a starving condition. Andrew Goodyear, showing himself as a generous and large-hearted man, sold him two head of cattle, some rice and some dried apples. He only charged Downie a dollar per pound, when Downie would have paid many times this amount. In the years that passed, Major Downie, often thought of this and how few men there were that would have acted in this manner. Kindness under these circumstances makes an indelible impression on a man, and in time of need has the same effect as a light from a cottage window on a dark and stormy night.

Goodyear Brothers were buried in Benicia, California. 'Overlooking' the ocean as was Miles' wish. The author and his wife traveled to Benicia to see the site where the Goodyear Brothers lay resting. Pictures were taken of the Goodyear plots. Their graves were well cared for and indeed were overlooking the 'ocean'.   

www.GoodyearsBar.com is where the North Yuba flows. We love the history and the life in Sierra County, California