Amador County – Jackson Mayor Connie Gonsalves on behalf of the city in mid-May invited the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to visit the Mother Lode and the city of Jackson.

Gonsalves sent a “key to the city” to the new Royal couple, Prince William and wife Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Gonsalves said “hopefully they will consider driving through our city during their California visit.”

The Prince of Wales’ official website said William and Kate are planning to visit California July 8-10, following their tour of Canada in July this year, and a detailed itinerary will be released later.

The Prince’s website said: “The Duke of Cambridge has never before visited the United States of America in an official capacity. His Royal Highness has visited the United States of America privately. The Duchess of Cambridge has never before visited the United States of America officially or privately.”

Gonsalves in the letter to the royals sent to Buckingham Palace in London, dated May 19, said the “city of Jackson, Calif., would like to invite Your most honored presence to visit our city and experience God’s Gold Country during your planned visit to California. Enclosed, please find a key to our city which we hope will open your wonderful experience with us.”

The letter gives some history of Jackson, and Amador County, saying the city was founded in 1848, and became the county seat when Amador County was created in 1854, and “named after native Californian, Jose Maria Amador.” The letter said the city was rebuilt after an 1862 fire, and has “as many as 42 U.S. Civil War-era buildings still standing today on and around Jackson’s Historic Main Street.”

Gonsalves in the letter said “from early 1850 until World War II, Jackson’s three main mines, the Eureka, Kennedy and Argonaut, produced 4.6 million ounces of gold, more than half the county’s entire gold production of 7.8 million ounces.”

The Mayor said “our county also is well known for growing several varieties of wine. Here you will discover the distinctive flavors of our foothill-grown wines.”

Gonsalves said: “We hope that Your Highness will be able to grace our city and we await with anticipation Your response.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.