Chrysopolis, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chrysopolis
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Former settlement
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 Chrysopolis
Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Inyo County |
| Elevation | 3,819 ft (1,164 m) |
Chrysopolis was once a small town in Inyo County, California. Its name comes from Greek words meaning "city of gold." It was located on the east side of the Owens River, south of a place called Aberdeen. The town sat quite high up, at 3,819 feet (1,164 meters) above sea level.
Contents
Where Was Chrysopolis?
Chrysopolis was founded in 1863. This made it one of the very first settlements in the Owens Valley. The town was in a dry part of the valley. As its name suggests, Chrysopolis was all about gold mining. People came here hoping to find their fortune.
A Town's Story
The First Gold Rush
From the very beginning, Chrysopolis was a mining town. It grew quickly for a short time. However, the number of people living there soon dropped. This happened because of problems with local native groups and because the town was very far away from other places.
A fort was built nearby to help solve these problems. But by the time it was finished, people were more interested in the western side of the Owens Valley. They left Chrysopolis behind. Even though the town was empty, some mining still continued in the area.
The Gold Mining Boom
Chrysopolis came back to life in the early 1900s. A new wave of gold mining excitement swept through the region. More people became interested in the old mining areas around Chrysopolis.
However, this new boom did not last long. By 1910, the excitement was over. People once again packed up their belongings and left the town.
What's Left Today?
Most of Chrysopolis is gone now. But you can still find some old stone walls and buildings. There are also a few mining tunnels left from its gold-seeking past. It's like a ghost town, showing where people once dreamed of finding gold.
