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Campo Seco, California facts for kids

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Campo Seco
Campo Seco is located in California
Campo Seco
Campo Seco
Location in California
Campo Seco is located in the United States
Campo Seco
Campo Seco
Location in the United States
Country United States
State California
County Calaveras County
Elevation
564 ft (172 m)
Reference #: 257

Campo Seco is a small place in Calaveras County, California. Its name means "Dry Field" in Spanish. It's called an "unincorporated community" because it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, it's managed by the county.

Campo Seco is located about 564 feet (172 meters) above sea level. You can find it by its ZIP code 95226 and area code 209.

History of Campo Seco

Early Days and Gold Mining

Campo Seco was started in 1849 by people from Mexico. It began as a busy mining camp during the California Gold Rush. Many different people came here to find gold. In fact, miners from about forty different countries lived and worked together in this area.

Surviving a Fire

In 1854, a big fire almost destroyed the whole town. But the miners were still finding a lot of gold in the area. This type of gold mining was called "placer mining." It meant finding gold flakes or nuggets in riverbeds and streams. Because there was still so much gold, the town was quickly rebuilt. Most of the buildings you see there today were built after that fire.

The Famous Cork Oak Tree

A special tree was planted in Campo Seco in 1858. It's a cork oak tree, and it's now the largest living one in all of California! It's a cool piece of living history.

Post Office and Landmark Status

The first post office in Campo Seco opened in 1854. This was an important step for the community. Today, Campo Seco is recognized as California Historical Landmark #257. This means it's a special place with important history that is protected and remembered.

Climate in Campo Seco

Campo Seco has a type of weather called a "warm-summer Mediterranean climate." This means it usually has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. It's a common climate for many parts of California.

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