Gold was accidentally discovered there in the fall of 1869 when a group of prospectors camped on the mountain, after an expedition in search of the fabled Lost Cabin Mine. They returned the following spring and named their discovery, “The Providence.” Once word spread of the new gold strike over 500 miners had flocked there. On December 5, 1870, it was decided to form a mining district to keep track of the claims. A leather bound ledger was used to record the claims. Once it was full, it was turned over to the Lassen County Recorder. A second ledger did not receive a lot of use, since basically most of the “hill” had been claimed.

It should be also noted, the area was known as the Providence Mines. When the district was formed, it was decided to name it Hayden Hill, instead of Providence, since Joseph W. Hayden, a veteran miner aged 56, was the oldest miner there, and they honored him with the bestowment. Hayden died there on Christmas Day 1884.

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