Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve

The hills around Black Diamond Mine Regional Preserve are hollow, with a warren of mine shafts running through them. I've been reading about its coal and sand mines for the last year, and wanted to see it for myself. My husband and I made a late summer excursion from the East Bay out to Antioch to visit this East Bay regional park.

Back Diamond Mine Regional Preserve

Monument to the Mount Diablo Coalfield near Antioch

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve is the site of the former Somersville mining town, which supplied glass-making sand to the Hazel-Atlas Glass Company in Oakland, as well as the townsites of nearby Nortonville, Stewartville, Judsonville, and West Hartley. From the mid-1800s to mid-1900s, this was a bustling mining area, which extracted nearly 4 million tons of coal and 1.8 million tons of sand.

View of the Somersville townsite, and the Rose Hill Cemetery on the hill

There is no trace of the former townsite, but the historic Rose Hill Cemetery remains high on the hill (you can spot it via the row of yews that seem out of place in the landscape). I confess we chose to sit in the shade, rather than trek up the hill in 90 degree heat, but maybe next time. As is characteristic of old California mining towns, the buildings were dismantled when a mine is closed, and the wood moved to the next mining site.

Ample picnic area

Shady picnic site

We allowed plenty of time for a picnic under the deep shade of the native oak trees. Mixed in with the native trees, we could see some of the exotic trees that had been planted by the miners, such as black locust, pepper, almond,  eucalyptus, and trees of heaven. The Black Diamond Mines brochure also notes that the park is the northernmost location for Coulter pine, black sage, desert olive, and dudleya. Quite a mix!

Some of these trees may have been planted by miners

View to "the Delta" in the distance

You'll find plenty of trails in the area for hiking and exploring. From one of the trails we could see a view through Markley Canyon clear to the Delta in the distance. I've been hearing about "the Delta" for years, and was glad to finally see a glimpse of it!

Mine tailings

I recommend the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve for anyone who loves the California landscape, with a dose of early California history thrown in. The hills are a great place to see wildlife and birds, and reportedly springtime flower displays. I also recommend taking a tour of the Hazel-Atlas Mine.