Burkeville, California facts for kids

Burkeville was once a small community in Kern County, California. It was also known by other names like Milltown and Millville. Today, it is no longer an active town, but its history tells us about the early days of California.

What Was Burkeville?

Burkeville was a "former settlement," which means it was once a place where people lived and worked, but it is not a town or city anymore. It was located about 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) north of another place called Quartzburg.

Its Early Days as a Mining Camp

Burkeville began as a "mining camp." This was a common way for towns to start in California, especially during the time when people were looking for valuable minerals like gold. People would set up camps near mines, and soon, shops and homes would follow. The camp was named after Edwin Burke, who was one of the owners of a large mine nearby called the Big Blue Mine. Mining camps were often busy places, full of miners, shopkeepers, and families, all hoping to find their fortune.