Alleghany, known as “The Treasure Town,” grew from several mining camps—Smith’s Flat, Kanaka Flat, Wet Ravine, Cumberland, and Kanaka City—all established within a few months in 1851, with Smith’s Flat first. Among the early miners were J. McCormic and Perry Bonhanm from Alleghany, Pennsylvania, who began the Alleghany Company Tunnel drift mine in April 1853 and struck a paystreak in 1855. In early spring 1856, a town originally called Jericho or Alleghanytown was laid out, and on Nov. 19, 1857, Alleghany gained recognition when the Chips Flat post office was transferred there. Nearby rich lode mines included the Sixteen To One, the largest, which ultimately yielded between 25 and 50 million dollars in gold. By 1854, the area had substantial business activity, including a banking house, express companies, merchandise stores, saloons, a hardware store, butcher shop, clothing establishments, a bookstore, drugstore, several hotels, and brothels. On July 27, 1877, masked men attempted to rob an E Clampus Vitus treasure box on Mountain House Rd., but after the Clamper sign was given, they returned it and allowed Brother Lane to pass. Alleghany’s mines were known for huge nuggets, including one weighing 45 pounds, and for immense quartz boulders laden with gold, including one piece 6 feet long.