Enterprise, Amador County, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Enterprise
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 Enterprise
Location in California
Enterprise
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Amador County |
| Elevation | 876 ft (267 m) |
Enterprise is a small, quiet place in Amador County, California. It used to be a busy mining camp. It is located about 5.5 miles (8.9 km) west-northwest of Fiddletown. You can find it near Big Indian Creek, at an elevation of 876 feet (267 meters) above sea level.
Contents
A Look at Enterprise's Past
Enterprise was created because people hoped to find valuable minerals there. It was specifically set up to mine for a mineral called quartz. Quartz is a common mineral, but sometimes it can contain precious metals like gold.
What is a Mining Camp?
A mining camp is like a temporary town that pops up quickly when people discover valuable minerals in an area. Miners and their families would move there, hoping to strike it rich. These camps often had stores, saloons, and homes, but they could disappear just as fast if the minerals ran out or were hard to find.
The Search for Quartz
When Enterprise was at its busiest, about a hundred people lived there. They were all focused on mining quartz. Miners would dig deep into the earth, looking for veins of quartz that might hold gold. It was hard work, often dangerous, and required a lot of effort.
Why Did Enterprise Change?
Even though many people came to Enterprise with big hopes, the mining prospects did not turn out as well as everyone wished. This means that the amount of valuable minerals they found was not enough to keep the camp going. Over time, people moved away to find better opportunities elsewhere. Today, Enterprise is a very small community with only a few houses left. It's a quiet reminder of California's exciting mining history.
