Cottonwood, Yolo County, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cottonwood
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Former settlement
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 Cottonwood
Location in California
Cottonwood
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Yolo County |
| Elevation | 164 ft (50 m) |
Cottonwood was once a small community in Yolo County, California. It was located about 2 miles (3.2 km) south of a town called Madison. This old settlement sat at an elevation of 164 feet (50 meters) above sea level. Even in 1917, you could still find Cottonwood marked on maps.
Contents
The Story of Cottonwood
How Cottonwood Got Its Name
Cottonwood was named after the many cottonwood trees that grew in the area. These trees were a common sight around the settlement.
Starting a New Town
In 1852, a man named Charles Heinrich started the town of Cottonwood. He opened the very first store there. That same year, he bought 160 acres of land. Other people also bought land nearby.
The community quickly grew. A post office called Cache Creek Post Office began serving the area on March 24, 1852. Andrew Work built a racetrack about one mile northeast of Heinrich's store. Because of the horses at the track, a blacksmith shop opened in 1852 to care for the animals.
Growing as a Community
In 1861, Henry and Caroline Fredrick donated three acres of land. This land was used to build a Union School. It was located at the corner of roads 90 and 23.
By 1870, Cottonwood was a busy place. It had a hotel and a saloon. There were also two stores, a blacksmith, and a wagon maker. A saddler and a shoemaker also had businesses there. The town even had a Congregational Church building.
Why Cottonwood Disappeared
Many of Cottonwood's buildings, businesses, and people moved away. They went to Madison, which was about one mile north. This happened because a new railroad line was built. This line connected Vaca Valley to the Clear Lake Railroad.
The railroad decided to bypass Cottonwood and go straight to Madison. This decision was made because D.B. Hurlbut gave the railroad company land for free. He also donated $1,000 to help them build a train station in Madison. George W. Scott, a local resident, helped prepare the ground for the tracks.
Even the Cache Creek Post Office moved to Madison on March 29, 1877. After that, the only thing left in Cottonwood was the Cottonwood Cemetery. This cemetery has tombstones from the 1860s and 1870s. The Cottonwood Cemetery is still used today.
