Browns Valley is located 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Marysville and is near Collins Lake.

[2] Before the establishment of the Browns Valley community, the land was the home to the Concow Maidu and the Nisenan people.

[3] In the fall of 1849, gold was found in the township of Long Bar and along the Yuba River, only three miles away from Browns Valley.

[3] Browns Valley was the home of the Sweet Vengeance Mine, founded by six African American men.

[6][7][8] In 1868, the Rare Ripe Gold and Silver Mining Company incorporated, and had an office in Marysville.