Baltimore Town, California facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Baltimore
Former settlement
Baltimore Location in California
Country	United States
State	California
County	Nevada County
Elevation	7,477 ft (2,279 m)

Baltimore Town was once a busy gold mining camp in California. It was located in eastern Nevada County. The town started in 1865 and was first called Wightman's Camp.

This historic place was high up in the Sierra Mountains. It sat at an elevation of 7,477 feet (2,279 meters). Baltimore Town was about four miles north of Cisco Grove, California. Its story is closely linked to the Excelsior mining district. The main town in that area was Summit City. After gold mining stopped, Baltimore Town faded away around 1869.

The California Gold Rush in Excelsior

The Excelsior mining district began thanks to Henry Hartley. He was a fur trapper who built a cabin near Meadow Lake around 1860. In June 1863, he found gold there. He quickly claimed several spots.

Gold Fever Spreads

By the spring of 1865, exciting rumors of gold spread. This caused a local gold rush. People heard that gold was plentiful. Also, unlike many mining areas, there was always plenty of water. By the summer of 1865, hundreds of miners arrived. Many came from the Virginia City, Nevada area. Getting to the Meadow Lake area was very difficult.

How Baltimore Town Started

In late 1865, Baltimore Town was founded. It was about two miles southeast of Summit City. The town was located near Old Man Mountain and Wagon Wheel Lake. A special toll road connected it to Summit City.

The town was first named Wightman's Camp. It was soon renamed Baltimore. This was because Wightman, a founder, was from Baltimore, Maryland. Sometimes, people added "Town" or "City" to its name. This helped tell it apart from the larger city in Maryland.

Early Hopes for Baltimore Town

Baltimore Town seemed to have a bright future. It was close to the "Baltimore ledge." This was a promising area with gold-bearing granite. Important mines included the Keystone and the Potosi. Henry Hartley owned both of these. Other mines were the Sacramento and the Justice. In November 1865, people described it as a "flourishing place." They expected many new buildings for businesses to be built there in the spring.

The End of the Gold Rush

The gold rush in the Excelsior district did not last long. It turned out to be a "bubble" that burst quickly. Even though gold was present, it was very hard and costly to get out of the ground.

Why the Town Disappeared

Mining soon stopped in the area. By 1869, the population of Meadow Lake had dropped sharply. It went from 4,000 people to just 60. Baltimore Town and other nearby settlements were soon abandoned.

In 1880, Baltimore Town was described as a place that once had five or six buildings. By then, only one lonely, empty house marked its spot.