Golden, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Golden, Oregon
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Golden Community Church
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 Golden, Oregon
Location in Oregon
Golden, Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Josephine |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
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Golden Historic District
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| Location | 3482 Coyote Creek Rd., Wolf Creek, Oregon |
| Area | 98.6 acres (39.9 ha) |
| Built | 1884 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 02000825 |
| Added to NRHP | July 25, 2002 |
Golden is a fascinating ghost town in Josephine County, Oregon, United States. It's called a ghost town because almost everyone moved away a long time ago. This historic place was once a busy mining town where people searched for gold. Today, it's a quiet reminder of Oregon's past.
Contents
History of Golden
Early Gold Discoveries
The area around Golden, near Wolf Creek, was first settled in the late 1840s. This happened after people found gold in the ground. However, many of these early settlers soon left. They moved to the nearby Salmon River in 1850 when more gold was discovered there.
Chinese Miners and New Beginnings
After the original settlers left, Chinese miners took over the abandoned gold mines. They worked the land for several years. Later, the first settlers returned from the Salmon River. The Chinese miners then moved on.
Growth of the Town
In 1885, a hydraulic mine was built in Golden. This type of mining uses powerful jets of water to wash away soil and find gold. A schoolhouse was also built about half a mile (0.8 km) downstream from the main town.
By 1892, over 150 people lived along Coyote Creek. The town grew with new buildings. A Campbellite church and a general store were constructed. In 1896, Golden even got its own post office. A stamp mill, which crushes rock to get gold, was added in 1915.
The Town Changes
The Golden post office closed in 1920. This often happens when a town's population gets smaller. Even though the town became less active, the church was rebuilt in 1950. Today, the general store, a carriage house, and some homes from that time are still standing.
Golden's Historic Status
The Golden Historic District is a special area in Golden. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important place in American history. Since 2011, Golden has also been recognized as an Oregon State Heritage Site.
Golden in Pop Culture
Golden has even been featured on a TV show called Ghost Adventures. The show explores places that are said to be haunted. The town, especially the old church, is known for its spooky stories. People have shared experiences of strange feelings there. The nearby attraction called Oregon Vortex was also shown on the program.
