Harrisburg, Inyo County, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harrisburg
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 Harrisburg
Location in California
Harrisburg
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Inyo County |
| Elevation | 4,987 ft (1,520 m) |
Harrisburg (which was once called Harrisberry) is a small, unincorporated community in Inyo County, California. An "unincorporated community" means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, it's governed by the larger county. Harrisburg is located high up, at an elevation of 4,987 feet (which is about 1,520 meters) above sea level.
The Story of Harrisburg
How Harrisburg Got Its Name
Harrisburg was named after two important people: Shorty Harris and Peter Aguerreberry. These two men were gold prospectors, meaning they searched for gold. In 1905, they made an exciting discovery when they found gold very close to where Harrisburg is today. This discovery led to the community being formed and named in their honor.
Gold Rush Days in California
The discovery of gold in places like Harrisburg was a big deal in California's history. The California Gold Rush started much earlier, in 1848, bringing many people to the state hoping to strike it rich. Even in the early 1900s, prospectors like Shorty Harris and Peter Aguerreberry were still finding new gold deposits. These discoveries often led to the creation of small mining camps and communities, sometimes called "boomtowns," that would grow quickly around the mines.
