On May 20, 1973, Dr. Ken Fox unveiled his 45-ton statue of Claude Chana as a float in the Gold Discovery Days parade in Auburn, commemorating the city’s 125th anniversary. The float won the award for “Best Theme.”
Claude Chana originally discovered gold in what is now the Auburn Ravine on May 16, 1848. That discovery likely occurred near the area beneath the train trestle over Interstate 80.
The parade marked the first time many people had seen the statue, sparking the idea that it should be permanently displayed in Old Town Auburn. Fox hoped to sell the statue and initially asked $10,000.
In 1975, a group of interested citizens formed an ad hoc committee, the Claude Chana Committee, to raise funds to purchase the statue. The Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce accepted donations on behalf of the committee, and the community quickly responded. Fox reduced the price to $8,000, calling it a $2,000 donation to the effort.
The statue was purchased and mounted in its permanent location in Old Town Auburn near Auburn Ravine. It was formally dedicated July 4, 1975.
On May 16, living relatives of Claude Chana—some of whom still reside in the Chana family home in France—visited Auburn and saw the statue dedicated to their ancestor. A few even struck gold while panning in the stream at the Gold Rush Museum!
Photo: Dr. Ken Fox with his statue of Claude Chana in Old Town Auburn, circa 1975
|
