Picard, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Picard
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Former settlement
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La Lake School around 1898 to 1900
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 Picard
Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Siskiyou County |
| Elevation | 4,265 ft (1,300 m) |
Picard was once a small town in Siskiyou County, California. It was located high up, about 1300 meters (4265 feet) above sea level. Today, the town no longer exists, and all that remains is its old cemetery.
Contents
History of Picard
Picard began in the early 1880s. It was the very first town in the Butte Valley area. A man named Frank Picard started the town by opening a saloon called the Pioneer.
Growth and Change
In 1898, Frank Picard sold his saloon to Charles Silver. The town grew steadily. A post office opened in 1883, which helped people send and receive mail. The La Lake School, Picard's first school, welcomed students in 1886.
By 1903, Picard was a busy farming community. It had a church, a doctor's office, and a blacksmith shop. There were also three general stores where people could buy supplies. For visitors and locals, the town had two saloons and two hotels.
The Town Moves On
However, Picard's growth did not last forever. In 1908, a new railway line was built, but it did not go through Picard. Instead, it bypassed the town completely. Because of this, most of the businesses and people decided to move to a new town called Dorris, which was on the railway line.
This move left Picard almost empty. The school closed its doors in 1912, and the town became abandoned.
The Cemetery's Story
Even though the town disappeared, the cemetery remained. For many years, volunteers looked after the graves. Then, in 1938, the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors officially created the Picard cemetery district. This happened because the Butte Valley American Legion, a group of veterans, pushed for it. This new district made sure the cemetery would be properly cared for in the future.
Notable People from Picard
- Frank C. High (1875 – 1966): He was an American soldier. He received the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award for bravery a soldier can get in the United States.
