Hartwell, California facts for kids

Hartwell was once a small community, or "settlement," located in Plumas County, California. It was a place where people lived and worked for a short time. Hartwell was especially connected to the Western Pacific Railroad, a major railway line.

What Was Hartwell?

Hartwell was not a big city. Instead, it was a small collection of buildings and homes. It was found close to another place called Quincy Junction. Its location right next to the Western Pacific Railroad was very important.

A Brief History

One of the main things we know about Hartwell is that it had its own post office. This post office was open for a very short time, from 1910 to 1911. A post office is a sign that a place had enough people living there to need mail services. The short time the post office was open tells us that Hartwell was likely a very temporary settlement.

Why Did Towns Like Hartwell Appear?

Many small settlements like Hartwell appeared in California during the late 1800s and early 1900s. These often grew up around new industries or transportation routes. Railroads, like the Western Pacific, were vital for moving goods and people. Small towns would sometimes pop up along these lines to support the railroad workers or to serve as a place for loading and unloading.

What Happened to Hartwell?

Hartwell is now considered a "former settlement." This means it no longer exists as an active community. Many small towns that grew quickly often disappeared just as fast. This could happen if the reason they were built, like a specific mining operation or a railroad construction project, ended. When the work was done, people would move away, and the settlement would fade.