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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 Coloma, California
Location in California
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| 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 | 2,025 |
| • Density | 155.29/sq mi (59.96/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| Area code(s) | (530) |
| 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 place in El Dorado County, California, US. It is about 36 miles (58 km) northeast of Sacramento, California. Coloma is very famous because it's where James W. Marshall found gold. This happened at Sutter's Mill on January 24, 1848. His discovery started the huge California Gold Rush.
Today, Coloma is a popular place for tourists. It is known for its ghost town feel. It is also the main part of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Coloma was named a special National Historic Landmark District on July 4, 1961. It sits at an elevation of 764 feet (233 meters).
Contents
What Does the Name Coloma Mean?
The name Coloma comes from the Nisenan Native Americans. They called the valley where Coloma is located Cullumah. This word means 'beautiful'. Coloma is built on the site of an old Indian village. It is located along the South Fork American River. In the past, people sometimes spelled the name "Colluma" or "Culloma".
Coloma's History
Coloma grew quickly after gold was found at Sutter's Mill. A post office opened there in 1849. It was first called Culloma, then changed to Coloma in 1851.
Some important people lived in Coloma early on. Silas Sanderson (1824–1886) later became the 7th Chief Justice of California. Nancy Gooch was also an early settler. She was one of the first Black women to become successful in California.
Is Coloma a Ghost Town?
Even though some people still live in Coloma, it is often called a "ghost town." This is because many old public buildings, like the jail, are now abandoned. Other buildings from its busy gold rush days (1847–1852) have been turned into museums. You can still see the remains of Sutter's Mill and a rebuilt version nearby.
People who live in the wider Coloma Valley area share a strong community spirit. The local economy mostly relies on farming and tourism. White-water rafting is very popular here. The South Fork American River is one of the best places for rafting in North America.
Who Lives in Coloma?
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 521 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, Coloma had a population of 529 people. Most people living there are White. There are also people of African American, Native American, and Asian backgrounds. About 11.9% of the people are Hispanic or Latino.
Most people live in regular homes. Some homes have children under 18. Many households are married couples. People of all ages live in Coloma. The average age is about 49 years old. Most of the homes in Coloma are owned by the people who live in them.
Coloma's Climate
Coloma has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. This means it has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
Sister City
Coloma has a sister city in Australia. It is called Clunes.
Notable People
Images for kids
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Rich Gold ore found near Coloma
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See also
In Spanish: Coloma (California) para niños
