Calaveritas, California facts for kids
Calaveritas (pronounced Cah-lah-veh-REE-tas) is a small, unincorporated community in Calaveras County, California. Its name means "little skulls" in Spanish. This historic place sits by the Calaveritas Creek, about 1,109 feet (338 meters) above sea level. You can find it using the coordinates 38°09′29″N 120°36′36″W. The community uses ZIP code 95249 and area code 209.
Quick facts for kids
Calaveritas
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 Calaveritas
Location in California
Calaveritas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Calaveras County |
| Elevation | 1,109 ft (338 m) |
| Reference #: | 255 |
Contents
A Gold Rush Town
Calaveritas was founded in 1849 by Mexicans during the California Gold Rush. It started as a busy settlement for miners. By 1853, the town was growing quickly. It had many important businesses. These included a place to keep horses (a livery stable) and shops where people bought meat (butcher shops). There were also general stores, restaurants, and places for entertainment.
Life in Early Calaveritas
The town was a lively place. People could find places to eat and buy supplies. There were also places for fun, like saloons and fandango houses. Fandango houses were places where people gathered for music and dancing. A well-known figure of the time, Joaquin Murrieta, was said to visit these places often.
Peak and Decline
Calaveritas was at its busiest around 1857. At that time, about 800 people lived there. Most of the residents were of Mexican or Chinese descent. However, the town faced a challenge on August 3, 1858. A big fire destroyed some of its buildings.
By this time, the amount of gold being found was decreasing. Because of the fire and less gold, some people started to move away. They went to other towns looking for new opportunities.
Calaveritas Today
Even though many people left, Calaveritas is still an important place. Today, it is recognized as California Historical Landmark #255. This means it is a special site that helps us remember California's history.
Upper and Lower Calaveritas
In the early days, this town was called "Upper Calaveritas." This was to tell it apart from another settlement. That other town was called "Lower Calaveritas." It was located about 3.5 miles to the west. Over time, Lower Calaveritas became an abandoned place.
See also
In Spanish: Calaveritas para niños
