The first established settlement in Rough and Ready was made in the fall of 1849 by a mining company from Wisconsin known as the Rough and Ready Company. Their leader, Captain A. A. Townsend, named the company after General Zachary Taylor, "Old Rough and Ready", who had recently been elected the 12th president of the United States. Captain Townsend had served under "Old Rough and Ready" when he commanded the American Forces during the Mexican War.

The Rough and Ready Company mined the creeks for several weeks with such good results that Captain Townsend returned to Wisconsin to recruit more men for his company. To his surprise, when he returned he found almost every square foot of mining ground for miles around being worked by others. This overcrowding severely limited mining opportunity for the Rough and Ready Company. Sadly, Captain Townsend released most of his men to work for others in order for them to survive.

The population of the town of Rough and Ready soon exploded to over 3000. It suffered the effects of general lawlessness and a growing resentment for the government having imposed a Mining Tax on all claims. On April 7th, 1850, a mass meeting of the townfolk was called to propose seceding from the Union. The town reacted by shaking their collective fists at the government with all its taxes and non-existent law and order. The Great Republic of Rough and Ready was formed that day as a free and independent republic. In the heat of the rebellion, they elected Col. E.F. Brundage as President, and signed a Constitution similar to the United States.

The Great Republic of Rough and Ready lasted only three months as the world’s smallest nation. On July 4, swept by a patriotic fervor and maybe feeling a little guilty, another meeting was held. The town gave mass consent to immediately rejoining the Union. Old Glory went up the flagpole and the whole episode slipped into history.

Join us on the last Sunday of every June as we celebrate "Secession Days". We have a small parade, concession stands, music by the Rough & Ready Fruit Jar Pickers, but the most famous part of our celebration is our annual "Secession Days Play" performed live and on stage in the center of town.