Blue Mountain City, California facts for kids
Blue Mountain City was once a small settlement in Calaveras County, California. It was located near a waterway called Licking Fork, about 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Mountain Ranch. This town was built on a flat area of land above a mining camp. The camp itself was on a steep slope next to the Licking Fork, not far from where the water started.
A New Town Appears
The idea for Blue Mountain City was first announced in January 1863. This was a time when many people were looking for gold and silver in California. Soon after, a company called the Heckendorn Gold and Silver Mining Company was formed in July of that year. C. C. Bowman was the secretary for this company. A post office also opened in Blue Mountain, helping people send and receive mail. It operated from 1863 to 1864.
What Was Blue Mountain Like?
Blue Mountain City was likely a busy place during its short time. Miners would have lived and worked there, hoping to find valuable metals. The town's location on a flat area above the mining camp would have made it a central spot for supplies and services. People would have come to the post office to send letters to family far away or to get news from other towns.
The Blue Mountain Mining District
The name "Blue Mountain" is also used for a mining district. This district is about 10 miles (16 km) southeast of West Point, California. It includes several important mines, such as the Black Wonder, Gold King, and Heckendorn mines. These mines were part of the larger search for gold and silver that brought many people to California in the 1800s.
