Douglas Flat, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Douglas Flat
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The Douglas Flat School, built in 1854.
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 Douglas Flat
Location in California
Douglas Flat
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Calaveras County |
| Elevation | 1,965 ft (599 m) |
| Reference #: | 272 |
Douglas Flat is a small, unincorporated community located in Calaveras County, California. An unincorporated community means it's a place with a shared identity, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town.
This historic spot sits at an elevation of 1,965 feet (599 meters) above sea level. You can find it at these coordinates: 38°06′52″N 120°27′18″W / 38.11444°N 120.45500°W. If you ever send mail there, the ZIP code is 95229, and the area code 209 is used for phone calls.
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A Gold Rush Town
Douglas Flat was once a very busy and exciting place during the early 1850s. This was the time of the famous California Gold Rush! Many people came here hoping to find their fortune.
Finding Gold
In 1857, two important mining spots, called the Harper and Lone Star Claims, found a huge amount of gold. They produced gold worth about $130,000. That was a massive sum of money back then!
The area is also known for something called the Central Hill Channel. This was an ancient riverbed that held vast amounts of gold. Miners worked hard to dig out this precious metal from the old river deposits.
A Special Historical Place
Today, Douglas Flat is recognized as a California Historical Landmark. It has the number 272. This means it's an important place in California's history, and it's protected so future generations can learn about its past.
How Did Douglas Flat Get Its Name?
The community's name comes from a man named Tom Douglas. He was a merchant who lived and worked in the area during the 1850s. The town was named in his honor.
Douglas Flat also had its own post office. It first opened in 1879. It closed for a short time in 1891 but then reopened to serve the community.
