French Corral, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
French Corral
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An old Wells Fargo Bank building in French Corral
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 French Corral
Location in California
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Nevada |
| Elevation | 1,532 ft (467 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| Area code(s) | 530 |
French Corral is a small, historic community in Nevada County, California. It's about five miles west of Highway 49. This area was one of the first mining camps during the California gold rush.
The name "French Corral" comes from a real place. In 1849, a Frenchman built a mule corral here. The town grew up around this corral. French Corral even had its own post office from 1859 to 1945. Today, not many of the old buildings are left. One of the few remaining is an old Wells Fargo Bank building.
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Where is French Corral?
French Corral is located in the far northwest part of Nevada County, California. In the past, it was an important stop between the mining towns of Rough & Ready and North San Juan.
The area around French Corral has a special climate. It's warm enough to grow citrus fruits like oranges. From the 1870s to the 1920s, people successfully grew these crops. Early French settlers also planted vineyards and made local wines because the soil and weather were so good.
How French Corral Started
The town's name tells its story. In 1849, a Frenchman built a mule corral here. Around the same time, a man named Mr. Galloway opened a trading post nearby. It started as a tent, then became a log building.
By 1857, maps showed the town as "French Corral." People tried to rename it "Carrolton," but the old name stuck. Mining was the main reason French Corral grew. Farming also helped the town boom. By the 1850s, it was a key town between busy gold-rush centers.
Life and Times in French Corral
French Corral was a lively town for many years. By the early 1850s, about 300-400 people lived there. A Post Office opened in 1852. By 1859, a horse express delivered mail to nearby North San Juan.
By the 1880s, French Corral had two hotels, a store, a saloon, a bakery, and many other businesses. A stagecoach line also passed through the town. This helped keep the town busy and growing.
In 1853, the town had about 70 homes. Sadly, a fire soon destroyed 50 of them. Fires were a common problem, and residents often had to rebuild.
The people of French Corral were active in their community. They voted in elections and joined local protection groups. During the Civil War, they even donated money to help the Union Army.
Many people in French Corral were from France or had French family. This gave the town a strong French feel. It became a major grape-growing area. In 1870, the town collected money to help French victims of the Franco-Prussian War.
However, not all parts of the town's history are positive. In 1867, some residents forced Chinese residents out of their homes and burned many of them. One person was found responsible, but many others involved were not punished.
Gold Mining in French Corral
French Corral looks quiet today, but it was once a very busy mining area. People found gold here from 1849 well into the 1900s.
Miners first started digging in ravines in 1849. By 1851, they found gold closer to the surface. More advanced mining began in 1852. Miners built ditches to bring water from Shady Creek. Even though fires damaged some facilities, mining continued to be profitable. More ditches and deeper tunnels were built throughout the 1850s.
It's believed that millions of dollars worth of gold were found in the French Corral area in the 1850s.
Later, hydraulic mining became popular. This method used powerful jets of water to wash away hillsides and find gold. Several large mines opened near French Corral. The Manzanita Mine, for example, had 160 workers by 1880. Some people became very rich from these mining operations.
Hydraulic mining was stopped in 1884 because it caused too much debris in the Yuba River. However, limited hydraulic mining was allowed again in 1894.
Interestingly, large and beautiful diamonds were also found in French Corral. People said that "bigger and better diamonds have been found at French Corral... than in any other place in California."
World's First Long-Distance Phone Line
French Corral is famous for a special reason. In 1878, the world's first long-distance telephone line was built here. The Ridge Telephone Company created it. This line connected French Corral to French Lake, which was about 60 miles away!
This amazing achievement is remembered by California State Historic Marker #247. You can find it near the remains of French Corral on Pleasant Valley Road.
Climate and Location
French Corral is located at 39°18′22″N 121°09′37″W / 39.30611°N 121.16028°W. It sits about 1,532 feet (467 m) above sea level. The area has a "warm-summer Mediterranean climate." This means it has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
Historical Landmarks
- In 1877, French Corral was the end point of the world's first long-distance telephone line.
- The Bridgeport Covered Bridge is nearby. Some people believe it's the longest single-span wooden covered bridge in the world. Another famous bridge, the Old Blenheim Bridge in New York, is also a contender for this title.
