History:
Grass Valley mines produced well during the Depression of the 1930's, but closed temporarily during World War II. Not long after the war, production costs went off the scale, and almost one hundred years after it started, it was over. One by one the great mines closed down leaving behind colorful history, miles of subterranean tunnels and shafts - and gold.

Mill Street and its intersection with Main Street, the heart of Grass Valley, still retain much of the historic flavor of the Gold Rush. The spirit that established commercially successful quartz mining helps Grass Valley remain the commercial center of Western Nevada County. The Grass Valley/Nevada County Chamber of Commerce has worked to attract more visitors to appreciate the City's colorful history and structures. An active Downtown Business Association helps maintain a vital business climate. The City of Grass Valley remains committed to providing an attractive and quality environment in which to live and work.


Grass Valley's revised Charter establishes a Council-Administrator type of government, in which the elected Council provides political leadership and sets policy while a professional administrator directs the various City departments in carrying out that policy.

The City of Grass Valley participates in a variety of ways with other governments and agencies. It has a representative on the Sierra Economic Development District Board, which covers Sierra, Nevada, Placer and El Dorado counties. It is also represented on the Nevada County Transportation Commission which works on transportation issues of countywide concern, the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) and the Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission.

The current Mayor of Grass Valley is Gerard Tassone. The Vice Mayor is Mark Johnson. The remaining members of the Council are Patti Ingram, Lisa Swarthout and Dean Williams. All members serve 4 year terms with Council elections held each even numbered year and consolidated with the November General Election.