Opie, California facts for kids

Opie was once a small community, or "settlement," located in Mariposa County, California. It was about 6 miles (10 kilometers) northeast of a town called Coulterville.

Even though Opie is no longer a busy place, it had a post office for a short time, from 1896 to 1898. A post office is where people send and receive mail, and it often shows that a place was active and had people living there.

What Was Opie?

Opie was a "former settlement." This means it was once a place where people lived and worked, but over time, most or all of its residents moved away. Many small settlements in California, especially in areas like Mariposa County, grew during the Gold Rush era. When the gold ran out, or other opportunities appeared elsewhere, people often left these small communities.

The Post Office Years

The post office in Opie operated for only two years, from 1896 to 1898. The presence of a post office usually means there were enough people living in the area to need regular mail service. When a post office closes, it can be a sign that the population has decreased, or that people are getting their mail from a nearby, larger town.