In the summer of 1858, the first permanent structure was erected in the Meadow Lake area, consisting of a stone wall across a nine hundred foot ravine, forming the Meadow Lake reservoir. From it, Nevada City and southwestern Nevada County, obtained their principal supply of water during several months of the year.

Summit City's heyday occurred during the period of 1865 to 1868 with the economy built on the prospect of finding substantial gold ore.