Portuguese Flat, California facts for kids
Portuguese Flat was a small California mining camp from the early 1850s. It was a busy place during the exciting time of the California Gold Rush. Many of the miners who lived and worked there came from Portugal. This camp was located about 35 miles north of Redding, California. Today, the area is near a community called Pollard Flat. It is part of the 96051 ZIP code area and uses the area code 530.
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History of Portuguese Flat
Portuguese Flat grew up along an old travel route known as the Siskiyou Trail. The area had rich gold diggings, meaning miners found a lot of gold there. It became known as one of the most active mining camps in northern Shasta County. The town was also home to many Native American women, making it a diverse community. By the year 1885, a census showed that the mining camp was no longer active and seemed to be empty.
Life in a Gold Rush Camp
Life in a Gold Rush camp like Portuguese Flat was often busy and full of activity. Miners worked hard to find gold, and the camp provided places for them to live and buy supplies. These camps were important centers during the Gold Rush, bringing together people from many different backgrounds.
Famous Visitors and Residents
Two important pioneers, Ross McCloud and Mary Campbell McCloud, ran an inn in Portuguese Flat. They operated their inn from about 1853 to 1855. After their time in Portuguese Flat, they moved on to run another inn at Upper Soda Springs.
Joaquin Miller's Recovery
A famous writer named Joaquin Miller once told a dramatic story about an event in 1855. He described being seriously injured during a conflict known as the "Battle of Castle Crags". After his injury, young Miller was taken to the inn in Portuguese Flat. Mary Campbell McCloud cared for him there, helping him to get better.
What Remains Today
Even as late as 1933, you could still see some signs of Portuguese Flat. Just north of Pollard's Gulch, near what is now Interstate 5, there were a few old, falling-down buildings. You could also spot an ancient log cabin and some very old apple trees. These were all that was left of the once-busy Portuguese Flat mining camp.
