Lost City, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lost City
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 Lost City
Location in California
Lost City
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Calaveras County |
| Elevation | 1,053 ft (321 m) |
Lost City, which was once called Stone City or Stone Creek Settlement, is a historic spot in Calaveras County, California. It's an unincorporated community, meaning it's a place without its own local government, unlike a city or town. You can find it about 11 miles (18 km) from Angels Camp, right next to Bear Creek. This area sits at an elevation of 1053 feet (321 meters) above sea level.
Contents
What is Lost City?
Lost City is a unique place built in the 1870s by a person named Eugene Barbe. It's known for its old stone buildings. There are about a dozen of these buildings, and they were made using dry-laid field stone. This means the stones were carefully stacked without using any mortar or cement to hold them together.
A Dream Community
Historians believe Lost City might have been an early settlement for a group called the Icarians. The Icarians were followers of Etienne Cabet, a French thinker who had ideas about creating a perfect society. They wanted to live in a "utopian" community where everyone worked together and shared everything. They dreamed of a peaceful and fair place for everyone.
Life in the Stone Settlement
Imagine living in a community where everyone shared the same goals! The Icarians believed in equality and cooperation. They tried to build a new life based on their ideals. The stone buildings at Lost City would have been their homes and workshops. It was a big experiment to see if they could create their ideal world.
Why Lost City Disappeared
Even with their big dreams, the settlement at Lost City didn't last forever. By 1896, the community was abandoned. This means the people who lived there moved away, and the buildings were left empty. Today, only some of the original stone walls remain standing. These ruins are on private land, reminding us of the unique history of this place.
