TwelveIsabella Wilmington stood mesmerized as Lotta Crabtree, the variety star a New York critic had recently dubbed the ‘California Diamond’, demonstrated the steps of her Lotta Polka — the dance that was being copied by everyone. She fought the impulse to pinch herself to prove she was really here, watching her hero. Lotta Crabtree was here in Grass Valley. And not just in town, but right in front of her, chattering and laughing, demonstrating little dance steps, singing snatches of her most popular Irish songs.
The 21-year-old performer had got her start in this very house, which had once been owned by the notorious Lola Montez, Countess of Landsfeld. And it was Lola who, more than a decade ago, had taught Lotta her first songs and dance steps and set theatrical ambition burning in the
