Norristown, California facts for kids

Norristown, also known as Hoboken, was a small, temporary settlement that existed for a short time during the exciting California Gold Rush. It was located right by the American River in what is now Sacramento County, California. It also served as a place where steamboats could land, bringing people and supplies.

A Temporary Town in the Gold Rush

Norristown was built on the south side of the American River. It was about four miles east of the city of Sacramento. A main road leading to the gold fields passed right by it. Today, this area is close to where California State University Sacramento stands.

Why Norristown Was Built

Unlike Sacramento, Norristown was built on higher ground. This meant it was safe from the river's floods. In 1852 and 1853, Sacramento faced a big flood. Many people from Sacramento had to leave their homes because of the rising water.

This is when Norristown began. It was first called Hoboken. People from Sacramento who fled the flood came to this higher ground. Sam Norris owned the land where this temporary town grew. He hoped to make it a permanent settlement.

Why Norristown Disappeared

However, most of the people who had fled the flood eventually returned to Sacramento. Once the floodwaters went down, they went back to their homes and businesses. Because of this, Norristown did not grow into a lasting town. It soon vanished, becoming just a memory of the Gold Rush era.