Lotus, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lotus
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 Lotus
Location in California
Lotus
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | El Dorado County |
| Elevation | 722 ft (220 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 238 |
| ZIP code |
95651
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| Area code(s) | 530 |
Lotus is a small, unincorporated community in El Dorado County, California. An "unincorporated community" means it's a place with a group of homes and businesses, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. It's located about 1 mile (1.6 km) west of Coloma. This area is famous for its history during the California Gold Rush.
Discovering Lotus
Lotus is a historic spot in California. It sits at an elevation of 722 feet (220 meters). Today, it's a quiet place. However, it has a very interesting past, especially linked to the search for gold.
A Bit of History
The community of Lotus was first settled in 1849. This was a very busy time in California. Many people were coming to the state looking for gold.
How Lotus Got Its Name
Lotus has had a few different names over the years.
- It was first called Marshall. This name honored James W. Marshall. He was the person who first discovered gold in California. This big discovery happened nearby.
- In 1850, the name changed to Uniontown. This new name celebrated a big event. It was when California officially became a state in the United States.
- Finally, in 1881, the name became Lotus. This happened when a post office was opened in the community.
Life in Early Lotus
During the Gold Rush, Lotus was a bustling place. It was much bigger than it is today.
- The community once had its own store.
- There was also a dance hall for entertainment.
- A large number of Chinese people lived in Lotus. They even had their own cemetery there.
At its busiest time, Lotus was a very lively town. It was estimated to have between 8,000 and 10,000 residents. That's a lot of people! Today, Lotus is much smaller. Its neighbor, Coloma, is now better known.
