Hites Cove, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hites Cove
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 Hites Cove
Location in California
Hites Cove
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Mariposa County |
| Elevation | 1,578 ft (481 m) |
Hites Cove (also known as Hite's Cove) was once a small town in Mariposa County, California. It was located along the South Fork of the Merced River. This spot is about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) west-southwest of El Portal. It sits at an elevation of 1578 feet (481 meters) above sea level. Today, you can reach the area by Hites Cove Road.
A Gold Rush Town
Hites Cove was named after a gold prospector named John Hite. He made an important discovery in 1861. John Hite found a vein of quartz rock that contained gold. This discovery led to the start of a new settlement.
How Hites Cove Grew
After finding gold, John Hite hired a team of workers. They dug a tunnel to follow the gold vein. They also built a special machine called a stamp mill. This mill was used to crush the gold-bearing rock. Soon, a hotel and a store were built in the area. This helped the small mining camp grow into a busy town.
The Town's History
Hites Cove was a very successful place for about 20 years. Many people came hoping to find their fortune. The town even had its own post office for a while. The Hites Cove post office operated from 1868 to 1869, and again from 1878 to 1889. Later, a "Hite" post office was open from 1901 to 1902. But like many gold mining towns, Hites Cove eventually faded away. The gold became harder to find, and people moved on.
Hites Cove Today
Even though the town is gone, you can still visit the site of Hites Cove today. It has become a popular place for hiking and exploring. If you visit, you might see some old stone foundations. These are the remains of buildings from when the town was active. You might also spot some rusted mining equipment. These old pieces of history remind us of the gold rush days in California.
