Mormon Island, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mormon Island |
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View of Miners Hotel, Mormon Island, California, (1850s lithograph)
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| Location | Actual site: Under Folsom Lake Historic marker: Folsom Lake State Recreation Area |
| Reference no. | 569 |
Mormon Island was a busy mining town in California during the exciting California Gold Rush. Many Mormon people came here looking for gold in the American River. Today, the original town site is hidden under Folsom Lake.
Contents
A Gold Rush Story
How Gold Was Found
In March 1848, three members of the Mormon Battalion went hunting. Their names were W. Sidney, S. Willis, and Wilford Hudson. They stopped by the south fork of the American River. There, they made an amazing discovery: they found gold!
When they returned to Sutter's Fort, they shared their exciting news. Soon, about 150 Mormons and other miners rushed to the spot. This new gold area was named Mormon Island. It was the first big gold discovery in California after James W. Marshall found gold at Coloma.
Life in the Town
Mormon Island quickly grew into a lively town. On December 25, 1849, the first big dance in Sacramento County was held there. By 1853, more than 2,500 people lived in Mormon Island.
The town had many businesses to serve the miners and residents. There were four hotels where people could stay. You could also find three dry-goods stores and five general merchandise stores. An express office helped people send and receive mail. There were also many other small shops.
The Town Disappears
In 1856, a big fire swept through Mormon Island. It destroyed the entire town. After the fire, the town was never rebuilt. Over time, fewer and fewer people lived there. By the 1940s, only a few families remained.
Later, the Folsom Dam project was planned. This project would create Folsom Lake, which would flood the area where Mormon Island once stood. So, what was left of the town was removed.
What Remains Today
The only part of Mormon Island you can still see is the Mormon Island Cemetery. This cemetery was moved to a new spot south of the lake. It is located near the Mormon Island Dam in Folsom, California. The cemetery also holds graves moved from other areas that were flooded by Folsom Lake.
Mormon Island is now recognized as California Historical Landmark #569. Since the original town site is underwater, a special marker is placed at the Folsom Point picnic area. This area is part of the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area.
The Island's Geography
How the "Island" Formed
Mormon Island was called an "island" because of how it was shaped. The American River flowed around its western, northern, and eastern sides. A special canal was dug to form the southern side.
This man-made canal was important for gold mining. It helped miners move water away from parts of the riverbed. This allowed them to dig deeper and find more gold. Over time, most of the town grew up south of this canal.
Seeing the Past
Most of Mormon Island is now covered by the waters of Folsom Lake. However, sometimes the lake's water level gets very low. When this happens, you might be able to see some old building foundations. You might even spot parts of an old arched bridge.
For example, in late 2013 and early 2014, Folsom Lake reached a record low level. This was because of a big drought. During that time, some parts of the town that are usually hidden became visible. But most of the old town still remains underwater.
