Dogtown, Mariposa County, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dogtown
|
|
|---|---|
 Dogtown
Location in California
Dogtown
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Mariposa County |
| Elevation | 2,582 ft (787 m) |
Dogtown was once a small community in Mariposa County, California, in the United States. It was located near Maxwell Creek, about 4 miles (6.4 km) east of Coulterville. It sat high up, at 2,582 feet (787 meters) above sea level.
Contents
Dogtown: A Gold Rush Story
Dogtown was an important place for gold mining in the late 1800s. Miners used a method called hydraulic mining, which involved using powerful jets of water to wash away hillsides and find gold. This method was very effective for finding gold quickly.
How Dogtown Got Its Name
People say Dogtown got its name because many stray dogs lived there during the California Gold Rush. These dogs likely followed the miners, hoping for scraps of food. The name stuck, even though it might sound a bit unusual for a town.
The End of Dogtown
Sadly, a dam broke in 1899, and a flood covered most of the town. This event caused a lot of damage to the community. By 1989, only a few old building foundations and crumbling wooden structures were left. Today, there isn't much left to see of the original Dogtown.
Other Places Called Dogtown
Did you know that Dogtown wasn't the only place with that name in California? During the 1800s, several other communities and mining camps were also called Dogtown.
- One was in Mono County.
- Another was in nearby Merced County.
- There was also a Dogtown in Butte County, which is now known as Magalia.
- Another one existed in Calaveras County.
- A later settlement with the same name appeared in Marin County.
