Bourne lies in a narrow canyon. After gold was found in Cracker Creek, a community of 1500 was formed.

The town was called Cracker, until it got a post office in 1895. Then, the name was changed to Bourne in honor of Jonathan Bourne of Portland, owner of the nearby Eureka and Excelsior Mine.

Bourne's population declined and the post office finally closed down in 1927. In 1937 a flood rushed down Cracker Canyon and destroyed what was left of the town.

We got the following message:
The 2 story building in your series in Bourne collapsed last winter. I last took pictures of it in May. We go to that area to prospect every year.
Jerry Smith

Thank you, Jerry!