Montezuma, California facts for kids

Montezuma viewed from the south in an aerial photo from 2015

Montezuma stop in 1918, north of Van Sickle Island

Sacramento Northern train crossing at Chipps in 1918 near Collinsville

Montezuma was once a small community and a larger area (called a township) in Solano County, California. It was located in the California Delta region. The name Montezuma was used by early settlers from 1847 to 1850.

This area was also a stop on an electric train line called the Oakland, Antioch and Eastern Railway. This railway later became part of the Sacramento Northern Railway. The train carried passengers from Oakland, across Suisun Bay by ferry, and into Solano County. It stopped at places like Chipps and Dutton before reaching Montezuma. The Montezuma train stop was about a mile and a half northwest of today's Collinsville.

Montezuma is recognized as a special historical place in California. It is a California Historical Landmark.

Montezuma: A California Landmark

Montezuma is known as California Historical Landmark number 122. This landmark tells us about the early days of Montezuma.

Early Days and Gold Mining

The first official record of Montezuma dates back to June 1850. At that time, two business partners, Solomon Miller and Peter K. Aurand, ran a place called the 'Montezuma Tent'. Peter K. Aurand was killed during a time of unrest related to mining taxes.

Not much mining happened at first because there wasn't enough water. But in 1852, a special ditch and flume were built. These brought water for placer mining. Placer mining is a way to find gold by washing gravel.

How Gold Was Found

Miners in Montezuma used two main ways to find gold. They did placer mining on flat areas. They also dug tunnels under a nearby place called Table Mountain. In the mid-1850s, miners could find about 3.5 cents worth of gold per pan of gravel. This meant they could earn about $5 to $10 each day. In 1853, a very large gold nugget was found. It weighed 18 pounds and 8 ounces!

Life in Montezuma City

By late 1852, about 800 people lived in Montezuma. At its busiest, Montezuma City had many important places. There were hotels, a post office, and a church. People lived in homes, tents, and cabins. The town also had an Adams Express Company, which was like a delivery service.

On June 29, 1866, a large fire started in Clarks Hotel. This fire almost completely destroyed the town.