Camanche, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Camanche
Limerick
Clay's Bar |
|
|---|---|
|
Former settlement
|
|
 Camanche
Location in California
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Calaveras County |
| Elevation | 220 ft (67 m) |
| Reference #: | 254 |
Camanche was once a small town in Calaveras County, California, United States. It was also known by older names like Limerick and Clay's Bar. The town was located about 220 feet (67 meters) above sea level. Today, Camanche is completely covered by the waters of Camanche Reservoir.
Contents
The Story of Camanche
Camanche started out with the name Limerick. In 1849, it was renamed Camanche, taking its new name from a town in Iowa. This happened during the exciting time of the California Gold Rush.
Gold Rush Days
Many people came to Camanche because of the gold mining happening nearby. Places like Cat Camp, Poverty Bar, and Sand Hill were rich with gold. Because of this, Camanche's population grew to about 1,500 people. This was a very busy time for the town.
Water from the Mokelumne River was important for mining. It was brought into Camanche using special ditches. On June 21, 1873, a big fire swept through Camanche. It destroyed a large part of the town, including its Chinatown area.
What Else Was Made in Camanche?
Besides gold mining, Camanche was also known for something unusual. A product called Buhach was made on a nearby farm called Hill Ranch. Buhach was a type of insect powder. It was made from a special plant.
Camanche Today
Today, the original site of Camanche is underwater. It was covered when the Camanche Reservoir was built. This means you can no longer visit the old town.
The Camanche Post Office
A post office is where people send and receive mail. Camanche had its own post office for many years. It first opened in 1861 when the town was called Clay's Bar. In 1864, its name changed to Camanche, just like the town. The post office closed in 1886 but then reopened in 1887. It finally closed for good in 1962.
A Historical Landmark
Even though Camanche is gone, its history is remembered. The old town site is recognized as California Historical Landmark #254. This means it's an important historical place in California.
