Rough & Ready

“A little bitty place, with lots of charm and friendly people” is how Rough & Rough is described. It was founded by miners who served under “Old Rough & Ready” Zachary Taylor. When a Mining Tax was imposed by the government the town seceded from the Union in April of 1850. They rejoined three months later at the Fourth of July celebration when Old Glory went up.
Rough & Ready is located in Nevada County, a short drive west of Grass Valley. Rough & Ready provides ideal country living with reasonable commuting times to metropolitan areas. It’s proximity & self employed professionals who along with conventional working and retired families now enjoy living in Rough & Ready.
The average summer temperature is in the 80’s, with winter average in the 40’s. The approximate altitude of 1885 feet above sea level, with an average rainfall of slightly over 52 inches gives Rough & Ready a natural setting of usually above the fog and below the winter snow level.
Rough & Ready has original historical buildings buildings dating from the 1850’s which include a grange hall, schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, wedding chapel & historical cemetery.
Secession day’s celebration is held on the last Sunday in June. It is a family style event that begins with a pancake breakfast, music, games, crafts fair, more food and entertainment. A special feature is the Saga of Rough & Ready presented by local Thespians.
The Chili Cook-off is a yearly Rough & Ready event in October and is sanctioned by the International Chili Society. Contestant chili cooker compete for cash prizes and for ranking that qualifies them to compete for the $25,000 prize in the annual grand ICS Chili Cook-off.