Chili Bar, California facts for kids

Chili Bar was once a busy place in El Dorado County, California. It was a small settlement and a mining camp. People came here hoping to find gold during the exciting days of the California Gold Rush. It was also known by other names like Chilean Bar, Chelalian Bar, and Chillean Bar.

What Was Chili Bar?

Chili Bar was a special kind of community. It was a mining camp, which means it was built quickly. Miners lived there while they searched for gold. These camps often popped up near rivers or streams. That's because gold was often found in the water or along its banks.

A Gold Rush Story

The story of Chili Bar is part of the bigger California Gold Rush. This was a time in the mid-1800s when many people rushed to California. They hoped to strike it rich by finding gold. Mining camps like Chili Bar were important places during this exciting period. They provided homes and supplies for the miners.

Who Lived There?

Chili Bar was founded by a group of miners from Chile. These Chilean miners had first tried to find gold in a place called Garden Valley. However, they faced difficulties there. They were encouraged to leave Garden Valley. So, they moved to a new spot. This new spot became known as Chili Bar. It was named after the Chilean miners who started it.

Where Was It Located?

Chili Bar was located in a beautiful part of California. It was in El Dorado County. This area is in the central part of the state. The camp was right on the South Fork of the American River. This river was a key spot for gold discovery. Chili Bar was about 4.5 miles (7.2 kilometers) east-southeast of another famous Gold Rush town, Coloma. Coloma is where gold was first discovered in California.