This is Harte Country

One of the best known authors of the Gold Rush period in American history is Bret Harte who was known for his stories about miners, gamblers, women, and traditions of the Gold Rush in mid-1800s.  He was so popular and well-known that he was later remembered in signs that read "Bret Harte Country".  I visualize the dirt trails lined with homemade signs about Bret Harte similar to the old Burma Shave signs in the early 1960s that had a different message every mile.  It was entertaining to us children :)

Next stop . San Francisco