Jenny Lind, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jenny Lind
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 Jenny Lind
Location in California
Jenny Lind
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Calaveras County |
| Elevation | 253 ft (77 m) |
| Reference #: | 266 |
Jenny Lind is a small, unincorporated community located in Calaveras County, California. It sits at an elevation of 253 feet (77 m). This historic place is part of the 95252 ZIP code area. It also uses the area code 209.
Contents
Exploring Jenny Lind's History
A Town Born from Gold
Jenny Lind is found on the north bank of the Calaveras River. It started as a gold mining town way back in 1849. Miners used a method called "placer mining". This involved finding gold flakes in riverbeds or hillsides. Later, large machines called "dredgers" were used to dig for gold in the river.
By 1864, about 400 people lived in Jenny Lind. Half of them were Chinese miners. The town was also an important place for moving goods. It was on the main road leading from Stockton.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The town of Jenny Lind was most likely named after a famous Swedish singer named Jenny Lind. She was very popular in her time. However, she never actually visited California.
There are a few interesting stories about how the town got its name. One story says it was named after a doctor, Dr. John Y. Lind. Another funny story suggests that the loud sounds of pack mules made the miners think of the singer's name. They might have used it as a joke! But the most accepted idea is that it was named to honor the famous singer.
A California Landmark
Today, Jenny Lind is recognized as a special place. It is registered as California Historical Landmark #266. This means it is an important historical site in California.
A post office served the community of Jenny Lind for many years. It operated from 1857 to 1944. Then, it reopened for a short time from 1947 to 1951.
