Grub Gulch, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Grub Gulch
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Former settlement
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 Grub Gulch
Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Madera County |
| Elevation | 2,474 ft (754 m) |
Grub Gulch (also called Grubgulch) was once a busy settlement in Madera County, California. The town got its name because gold prospectors often found enough gold there. This gold helped them "grubstake" themselves, meaning they earned enough to buy food and supplies to keep going. Grub Gulch was located about 10.5 miles (17 km) northeast of Raymond, on what is now Road 600.
Contents
The Story of Grub Gulch
How the Town Started
Grub Gulch began to grow after the Gambetta Mine opened in 1880. Other important mines nearby included the Mammoth Mine, the Enterprise Mine, and the Josephine Mine. These mines brought many people to the area looking for gold.
Life in the Mining Town
The Grubgulch post office operated from 1883 to 1918. From the mid-1880s to the late 1890s, up to 5,000 people lived in Grub Gulch. This made it the biggest mining community in the mountain area at that time.
In 1900, Grub Gulch had a general store where people could buy supplies. There were also two hotels and five saloons. However, the town never had a church. There were 24 mines within five miles of the town. In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt even visited Grub Gulch. He famously said, "this is a bully town," meaning it was a great place.
Why Grub Gulch Disappeared
Grub Gulch started to decline in the early 1900s for a few reasons. One big problem was a lack of water, which made it hard for the town to grow. In 1906, the last mine in the area closed down.
Another major change happened in 1907. The Yosemite Valley Railroad opened, which meant people could travel to Yosemite by train. This ended the old stagecoach route that used to go through Grub Gulch. Fewer travelers meant less business for the town.
Finally, the town of Grub Gulch burned down in 1920. Today, only a cemetery and a historical marker remain to show where the town once stood.
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