The Sierra Buttes Mine was located around the present site of Sierra City, Sierra County. Gold-bearing (auriferous) quartz ledges were discovered in 1850, and first developed by the Reis brothers (Ferdinand and Gustavus), of San Francisco. William A. Farish, the brother of historian Thomas E. Farish, then served as superintendent. By 1866 two mills, of twelve stamps each, were handling the ore produced from three ledges. 

MSS 227 Farish, Adam Thomas   Lake County manuscripts from Colorado