Olive City, Arizona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Olive City, Arizona
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 Olive City, Arizona
Location in Arizona
Olive City, Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | La Paz |
| Founded | 1863, before Arizona was officially declared a territory by President Abraham Lincoln |
| Abandoned | 1866 |
| Elevation | 266 ft (81 m) |
| Population
(2009)
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| • Total | 0 |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST (no DST)) |
Olive City, also called Olivia, was a town that didn't last very long. It was an important stop for steamboats and a place to cross the Colorado River by ferry. The town was in what was then Yuma County, Arizona Territory. It existed from 1863 to 1866. Olive City was located on the Arizona side of the Colorado River. It was about one mile upstream from its rival, Mineral City. It was also half a mile upstream from the first location of Ehrenberg, Arizona. The town was named after Olive Oatman. She was famous for being held captive by the Yavapai people and later living with the Mohave people.
Contents
History of Olive City
The Great Flood and a New Town
In 1862, a huge flood changed the path of the Colorado River. This flood moved the river two miles away from the gold mining town of La Paz. Because of this, a new landing spot was needed for steamboats. In the spring of 1863, this new landing developed and was first called Olivia, then later Olive City. La Paz was left next to the old riverbed, which became a slow-moving channel connected to the river near Olive City.
Early Days and Conflicts
Many of the people who started Olive City supported the Confederacy during the American Civil War. They had rules that prevented some groups, like African Americans, Chinese, Native Americans, and Mexicans, from buying land in the new town. In March 1863, miners in Olivia also created a separate mining area called the Weaver District. This district tried to stop Mexicans and Native Americans from working in its mines. Olivia was also the first place where Bradshaw's Ferry operated.
Civil War Tensions
Olive City was thought to be a place where Confederate supporters might gather before heading east to join the Civil War. On May 20, 1863, a Confederate supporter shot two Union soldiers near La Paz. These soldiers were traveling upriver on a steamboat called the Cocopah to buy supplies for Fort Mohave. To stop this kind of activity, Union soldiers from Fort Mohave set up a camp in September 1863. This camp was located halfway between La Paz and Olivia.
Decline and Abandonment
In the fall of 1864, a new town called Mineral City was started one mile downriver. Bradshaw's Ferry moved to Mineral City, which hurt Olive City's business. In 1866, another new landing was created between Olive City and Mineral City. This new spot was supported by two steamboat captains from the George A. Johnson Company. This larger settlement also became known as Mineral City. Because of this, Olive City was abandoned. By 1870, La Paz was also abandoned after the gold mines ran out. In 1870, Mineral City was renamed Ehrenburg.
The Site Today
Because the Colorado River has changed its course many times since then, the original site of Olivia or Olive City, Arizona, is no longer in Arizona. Today, it is located in Riverside County, California. It is across the river from the modern town of Ehrenburg in La Paz County, Arizona. Nothing remains of the old settlement today.
