Carbondale, Orange County, California facts for kids

Carbondale was a small, busy coal mining town in Orange County, California. It was located in Santiago Canyon, where Santiago Creek and Silverado Creek joined together. This historical site is in Silverado, California. Carbondale even had its own post office for a few years, from 1881 to 1884.

What Was Carbondale?

Carbondale was a temporary town built around a coal mine. People lived and worked there, hoping to find lots of coal. It was a lively place for a short time.

The Discovery of Coal

Coal was first found near Santiago Creek in 1878. This discovery led to the creation of a mine called the Santa Clara Coal Mine. Finding coal was a big deal back then.

How Carbondale Grew

In 1881, a large railroad company called the Southern Pacific took over the Santa Clara Coal Mine. They decided to build a mining camp right next to the mine. This camp was named Carbondale. It quickly became a busy place.

Life in the Mining Town

Carbondale was more than just a mine. It had a hotel where people could stay. There were also saloons, which were places for adults to gather. A general store sold supplies to the miners and their families. Miners lived in small shacks. Carbondale's post office also served the nearby town of Silverado, California after its own post office closed.

Why Carbondale Disappeared

The main reason Carbondale existed was for its coal. By 1884, most of the coal was gone. The mine had "played out," meaning there wasn't enough coal left to dig. Because of this, the mine closed down. Carbondale's post office also closed, and its buildings were taken apart. Today, very little remains of the old town.

Remembering Carbondale

Even though Carbondale is gone, its history is remembered. There are special markers that tell its story.

Historical Markers

The site of Carbondale is recognized as California State Historical Landmark No. 228. A plaque marking this spot is located at the Silverado Community Church entrance. This church is on Silverado Canyon Road, about 1.1 miles west of the Silverado post office.

The site is also marked as Orange County Historical Site No. 1. Another plaque is located at 8002 Silverado Canyon Road in Silverado.

What the Marker Says

The marker at the site tells us:

• In 1881, after the Southern Pacific took over the Santa Clara Coal Mine northeast of here, a bustling mining camp complete with hotel, saloons, shacks, store, and post office sprang up on these flats. Three years later the mine played out and Carbondale disappeared without a trace. This marker was put up in 1976 by the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the Orange County Historical Commission.