Coloma, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Coloma, California
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Coloma, 2008
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Location of Coloma in El Dorado County, California
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| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 416: Malformed coordinates value. | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | El Dorado |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.35 sq mi (8.69 km2) |
| • Land | 3.35 sq mi (8.69 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 764 ft (233 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 521 |
| • Density | 155.5/sq mi (59.95/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| Area codes | 530, 837 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1655915; 2582981 |
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Coloma
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Sutter's Mill 1850
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| Nearest city | Placerville, California |
| Area | c. 250 acres (100 ha) |
| Built | 1848 |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000207 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHLD | July 4, 1961 |
Coloma is a small community in El Dorado County, California, United States. It is located about 36 miles (58 km) northeast of Sacramento. Coloma is famous for a very important event in American history: the discovery of gold!
On January 24, 1848, James W. Marshall found gold at Sutter's Mill in the Sierra Nevada foothills. This discovery started the famous California gold rush, which brought many people to California.
As of the 2020 census, Coloma had a population of 521 people. Today, Coloma is a popular place for tourists. It is known for its historic buildings and is the main part of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Coloma was recognized as a National Historic Landmark District on July 4, 1961, because of its important history. It sits at an elevation of 764 feet (233 meters) above sea level.
Contents
What's in a Name? The Story of Coloma
The name Coloma comes from the Nisenan Native American word Cullumah. This word means "beautiful." The Nisenan people originally lived in the valley where Coloma is located.
Coloma is built along the South Fork American River. This river flows through the beautiful valley. The town was built on the site of an original Nisenan village called Koloma. In the past, the name was sometimes spelled "Colluma" or "Culloma."
A Golden Past: Coloma's History
Coloma grew quickly after gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill. Many people came hoping to find their fortune. A post office was opened in 1849, first called Culloma, then changed to Coloma in 1851.
One important early resident was Nancy Gooch. She was one of the first African American women to find success in California during the Gold Rush era. Her story is part of Coloma's rich history.
Exploring Coloma: A Historic Ghost Town
Even though some people still live in the area, Coloma is often called a "ghost town." This is because many old public buildings, like the jail, are now abandoned. Other buildings from its busiest time (1847–1852) have been turned into museums. These museums help visitors learn about the past.
You can still see the remains of the water channel (called a tailrace) from Sutter's Mill. There is also a reconstructed mill nearby. The people who live in the wider Coloma Valley today share a strong community spirit.
The local economy mainly relies on farming and tourism. A very popular activity here is white-water rafting. The South Fork American River is one of the most famous rivers for rafting in North America.
Who Lives in Coloma?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2010 | 529 | — | |
| 2020 | 521 | −1.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010 |
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According to the 2020 census, Coloma had a population of 521 people. The community has a mix of ages. About 11.9% of the people were under 18 years old. About 29.6% were 65 years or older.
Most people in Coloma (96.7%) live in family homes. There were 222 households in total. Many of these households (59.9%) were married couples. About 76.6% of the homes were owned by the people living in them.
How Coloma is Governed
Coloma is part of larger areas that elect people to represent them. These representatives work in the state government of California. They also represent Coloma in the national government of the United States.
Coloma's Weather
Coloma has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. This means it has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. This type of climate is common in many parts of California.
Friends Around the World: Sister City
Coloma has a special connection with another town far away. It is a sister city with Clunes, Australia. Sister cities often share cultural exchanges and friendships.
Learning in Coloma
Children in Coloma attend schools within two main districts. These are the Gold Trail Union Elementary School District for younger students. Older students attend schools in the El Dorado Union High School District.
Important People from Coloma
- Nancy Gooch – An important early resident who found success during the California Gold Rush.
Images for kids
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Coloma Post Office
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James Marshall's cabin in Coloma
See also
In Spanish: Coloma (California) para niños
