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Dogtown, Mariposa County, California facts for kids

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Dogtown
Dogtown is located in California
Dogtown
Dogtown
Location in California
Dogtown is located in the United States
Dogtown
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.

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.

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