Mountain House, Alameda County, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mountain House
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Locality
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Mountain House c.1925
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 Mountain House
Location in California
Mountain House
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Alameda County |
| Elevation | 207 ft (63 m) |
Mountain House was a famous stopping point for people traveling during the California Gold Rush. It was about halfway between San Francisco and the gold fields in the Sierra Nevada mountains. This historic spot is in Alameda County, California, in the United States. It sits about 12 miles (19 km) east of Livermore. The area is also near the Altamont Pass, which was once called Livermore Pass. It's located between the California Aqueduct and the Delta-Mendota Canal.
The original Mountain House was also known as Zimmerman's or Zimmerman's Mountain House. Today, a newer community called Mountain House in San Joaquin County is located about two miles (3 km) northeast. It borrowed its name from this historic site.
Contents
History of Mountain House
Early Inhabitants
Long ago, the Cholbon triblet lived in the Mountain House area. They were part of the Northern Valley Yokuts group. Their lands stretched along Old River, which is a branch of the San Joaquin River.
A Stop for Gold Miners
In 1849, a man named Thomas Goodall set up a simple tent made of blue denim cloth. This tent became a midway stop for gold miners. These "forty-niners" were traveling from San Francisco to the gold fields in the Sierra Nevada foothills. They often passed through the Altamont Pass.
Goodall later built a stronger house out of adobe bricks. He called this place The Mountain House. It was located at the eastern edge of the Diablo Range hills.
Zimmerman's Mountain House
Later, Simon Zimmerman bought the stopping point. It then became known as Zimmerman's Mountain House. This place became a very famous and important rest stop on the way to Stockton. The last buildings of this old settlement were taken down in 1940.
A New Community
In November 1994, leaders in San Joaquin County started a new community. They named it Mountain House. This new town is located about two miles northwest of the original site, along Mountain House Creek.
Other Historical Facts
From 1852 to 1853, a post office called Elk Horn operated near Mountain House. In 1915, the county road that passed by Mountain House became part of the Lincoln Highway. This was America's very first paved road that went all the way across the country.
Today, a place called the Mountain House Bar is located where the original Mountain House once stood. You can find it at 16784 West Grantline Road.
