Gold Hill, El Dorado County, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gold Hill
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 Gold Hill
Location in California
Gold Hill
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | El Dorado County |
| Elevation | 1,621 ft (494 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 136 |
Gold Hill (formerly known as Granite Hill) is a small community in El Dorado County, California. It is an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city does. You can find Gold Hill about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) south of Coloma, sitting at an elevation of 1,621 feet (494 meters) above sea level.
Contents
Exploring Gold Hill's History
Gold Hill has a fascinating past, starting with the exciting days of the California Gold Rush. Over time, it changed from a busy mining area to a productive farming region.
The Gold Rush Days
In the beginning, Gold Hill was a lively mining district. People came here hoping to find gold, just like in many other parts of California during the mid-1800s. The area was buzzing with activity as miners searched for precious metals.
From Mines to Farms
After the initial gold rush slowed down, Gold Hill found a new purpose. It became an important farming area. This big change happened because a special canal was built. This canal brought water to the area from Hangtown Creek, which was near Placerville. With water, the land could be used for growing crops.
Gold Hill's Fruit and Silk
During the 1800s, farms in the Gold Hill area grew lots of fruit. This fruit was sent all across the United States. Gold Hill was also home to a unique project: a small group of Japanese settlers lived there for a short time. They tried to grow tea plants and mulberry plants. Mulberry leaves are important because they are what silkworms eat to produce silk.
Gold Hill Today
Today, Gold Hill is much quieter than it used to be. You can still find a few farms scattered around the area. It's a reminder of its rich history, from gold mining to farming and even silk production.
