Remembering the Diana Saloon: A Look at Lotteries and Business Transactions in the Mid-19th Century

 Remembering the Diana Saloon

We often associate lotteries with getting lucky, winning big prizes, or potentially becoming millionaires overnight. Yet, in the mid-19th century, lotteries had a more pragmatic purpose. They were used as a means to sell properties, raise funds for constructing public amenities, or aid businessmen in readying to venture into new arenas of trade. A fascinating glimpse into this historical trend comes from the grand raffle announced on 30th May 1853, as advertised in Weaverville, a small, prosperous mountain town. In an unusual sale offering, the entire Diana Saloon, along with its furniture, fixtures, and a few more intriguing properties, was put up as the grand prize.

The Diana Saloon, possessing an attractive façade on the town’s Main Street, ran back 74 feet, with its impressive lot covering 32 feet. It was a two-storied building featuring 11 neatly furnished sleeping apartments above and sundry additional facilities like a kitchen, dining room, and outbuildings. As the notice read, "THE FIRST GRAND PRIZE IS THE DIANA SALOON, With all its Furniture and Fixtures…also, a Kitchen, Dining Room and other necessary buildings in the rear."

But the grand prize was just the beginning. The property owner left no stone unturned to increase the appeal and fervor of the raffle. The second grand prize was a cottage residence, home to the Edwards family, a cozy dwelling nestled behind the Diana Saloon. The house was comfortably furnished and equipped with all the necessary amenities, arguably designed to embolden and entice prospect purchasers.

Not just that, the third grand prize was the Diana Bowling Saloon, a thriving recreational venue next to the Diana Saloon, that generated a handsome rent of sixty dollars per month. With cash prizes also up for grabs, the total value of the properties placed in the raffle was a massive $13,100.

But why would someone put such prized properties up for a raffle? That question brings us to the subtler nuances of economic mechanisms and trends that prevailed in those times. As the advertisement suggests, Mr. Edwards, the property owner, wanted to change his place of residence and convert his property into cash. A fascinating note on the times, the sale by raffle was not essentially a snap decision or an act of despair but a compelling economic strategy. As the advertisement assures, "It is for its immediate disposition, Mr. Edwards being desirous of changing his place of residence, and converting the property into cash."

Such events allow us to delve into the intricacies of business transactions and cultural norms of a bygone era, providing us with valuable insights into the past. The excitement brought by the raffles could easily be envisioned, with the community gathering for the drawing under the management of a locally appointed committee.

Through these snippets of the past, we can trace how the concept and conduct of lotteries have evolved over the years. It shines a light on a time when properties and entire businesses were gambled on faith, luck, and the adventurous spirit of the participators. Perhaps the sense of community and the spirit of participation — the raffle, after all, was initiated by a local businessman intent on changing his residence — made these times unique in a way different from ours.

Quoting directly from the original source, "The property is such as represented, and the most desirable in our flourishing mountain town," the raffle perfectly encapsulated the spirit of this mid-19th-century mountain community. The property was valued less than its actual cash cost, deeds were promised in good faith, and a historically enriching event was about to unfold. It was practical economic strategy; it was community participation; it was a spectacle on display.

In conclusion, this singular event from Rawerville's history presents us with a vivid instance of how lotteries served a diverse set of motives — from enabling individual migrations to stimulating local business and even creating a community spectacle. As we continue unraveling such layered narratives from our past, we gain valuable insights into the development of societies, commerce, and lotteries themselves. In essence, while lotteries have been modernized and commercialized today, their traditional charm and communal element remain a cherished reminiscence of the past.

**Citation**:
- Trinity Journal, [m:w dvuktisk« e\ts. E D, 1855-05-19]
https://cdnc.ucr.edu/


Original Article:

W A n I) S’ GRAM RAFFLE! $3,000 For $2. To h, drawn at Wcaverrillr, r,n the 30t1i day "f May, A. D. 1853, at the Diana Saloon. the first grand PRIZE IS THE DIANA SALOON, With all its Furniture and Fixtures. TUI* SALOON is on Main Street, WeaX verville, having a front of 32 feet and running back 74 feet, a two story building with 1 1 sleeping apartments above, all neatly furnished; also, a Kitchen, Dining Room and other necessary buildings in the rear. TilR Si:< OND GRAND PRIZE IS THE COTTAGE RESIDENCE < h dr. Edwards and family, situated on Court Dense I Ml, immediately in the rear of the Diaua Saloon, having three comfortable rooms, with a Hull, Kitchen, Wood Shed, Chicken House, Aro. Ail furnished with neat and necessary furniture for house keeping. THE THIRD GRAND PRIZE IS TIIE DIANA BOWLING SALOON, Adjoining the Diana Saloon, having two good Alleys, Hal's, i ins, Arc. fronting on Main Street—this property now rents for sixty dollars per mouth. Catalogue of Prizes: First Prize, Diana Saloon Value, $8,000 2. Cottage Residence, 1 .500 3. Diana B.nvling'Saloou, 1,000 4. $300 in cash, 300 5. $200 “ “ 200 6. sioo “ mo 7 to2(5. 20 prizes, $50 cash, each, 1,000 27 to 50. 24 prizes, $25 cash, each, 600 57 to 70. 20 prizes, $20 cash, each, 400 Grand total of prizes, $13,100 TICKETS Si EACH. 1 Ins Ralile is tvjt intended ns a trap or money-making scheme. The property is sikdi as repfi sented, and the most desirable in .nir flourishing mountain town. The reason lor putting this property up in this manner, is for its immediate disposition, Mr. Edwards being desirous of changing his plaee of res deuce, and converting the property into cash. Dio property is valued at less than its actual cash co r. Good, fnna fide deeds will he —' veil to the lucky person drawing the property as soon as the drawing is- had. 1 lie drawing will be by wheel, under the management of a committee appointed by the ticket holders, on the day of the drawing. Reference. Any person acquainted with the property, mid to P. ,M. li i. r, J. S. McCain, f . \\ . 1 .lake, of Rhodes A Co.'s Express, •I. Henderson, of the Pacific Express, VVeuvi rville; Dr. Ilorsely, Vreka; JaincsDnigh, Shasta. .-A 1 ickets to be found at all the principal Hotels in Wraverville, at the Eagle Ho. tel in Shasta, in 1 rekft, and all public place* in the north. F. T. EDWARDS. NVeaverville, April 28th, 1655. NOTICE. Till 1 . Partnership heretofore existing uu.Dr the tiruiie of MITCHELL, HARRIS Sc G* 1 ., is this day dissolved by mutual consent. All persons knowing themselves indebted to us, are requested to make IMMEDIATE PAYMENT, as A. MITCH ELI. intends returning to the Atlantic States in the course of live or six weeks. A. MITCHELL, FRANCIS U . HARRIS. J. B. DAMON. Weavervillb, May 15, 1855. ST. CHARLES HOTEL AND STAGE HOUSE, Main Street. Shasta. R. O. DEWITT and D. G. BROWN, rronuF.Tons. THE present proprietors of the St, Charles 1 Hotel would inform its o!iT - pTtrons, and the public generally, that they have refuted mnl furnish, d it ifl sucli a manner that they ran assure them of being as well accommodated in their establishment as in any hotel in Northern California, and ask for themselves a ia;r share of public patronage. The TABLE will always be supplied with every delicacy that can be obtained in this market, as also these of Marysville and Sacramento. Tba SLEEPING APARTMENTS are new, and will be kept in a manner inferior to none in the country. The general management of the house will he under the direct supervision of !). G. Brown, long and favorably known as an able caterer to the public taste. All the Stages running from here to Marysville und Sacramento, belonging to the CALIFORNIA STACK COMPANY start from this House, Passengers wishin? any inf. lunation, can obtain it from \V>1 M TU UK* Agent for the onnipany who a always on hand. ANo, the office of the < iitifornin Steam Navigation Company. E. K. SI 1 ED, Ag"nt, is kept at this house. 'Hie Passenger trains for the North le»« the St. Charles daily, consisting of Loag’s Train to Weaver, AND CmRFsATHOUSE if BRO.'S TRAIN TO YREKAThis I lotel 1ms always been the great depot fertile ti-nviliing public of th North, ad the proprietors hop*, to more than mniiiua its previous reputation of being the be* house in this part of California. MEAL HOURS. Break.ast from ti to 4 past 0 o'clock. Dinner “ 12 to 3 “ hopper “ 6 to 9 “ Shasta, May 19, 1855. NOTICE y » a] i \n bom it concern f h e her< bv i ciiI aj.tiiust p■ irchaying n cer& note, tiaud Octubvr —, ]S"il, and givenV u« to I U. Owens for the sum of ie on jem&id or liter 60t ba d note having becu paid. cox & fort. April 21, 1S53.-31.