Quartzburg, Mariposa County, California facts for kids

Quartzburg was once a small town in Mariposa County, California. It was located near a stream called Burns Creek, about 2 miles (3.2 km) upstream from another town called Hornitos. Today, Quartzburg is no longer an active town, but its history tells an interesting story about the California Gold Rush.

The Beginning of Quartzburg

Quartzburg started as a small settlement in 1847. Two brothers, John and Robert Burns, were the first to settle in the area. Because of them, the place was first known by names like Burns' Creek, Burns' Camp, Burns' Ranch, and Burns' Diggings.

Soon, people discovered gold nearby, and a mining camp quickly grew around the Burns brothers' settlement. Miners came hoping to find their fortune. To help the growing community, a post office was opened in Quartzburg in 1851. It stayed open for about ten years, closing in 1861. The name "Quartzburg" was given to the town by a man named Thomas Thorn. He chose this name because there were many rocks called quartz sticking out of the ground in the area, which often indicated where gold might be found.

Why Quartzburg Disappeared

In the early 1860s, the easy-to-find gold, known as "placer gold," started to run out. This meant it became much harder for miners to find enough gold to make a living. As the gold became scarce, many people began to leave Quartzburg. A lot of them moved to nearby Hornitos, which was still a busy town.

Over time, as more people left, Quartzburg became a ghost town. When a new county road was built through the area, any remaining old buildings or ruins were cleared away to make space.

What's Left of Quartzburg Today?

Today, there isn't much left of the original Quartzburg. The most important remaining trace is its old cemetery. You can find the cemetery on the north side of Burns Creek, right next to the county road. It stands as a quiet reminder of the people who once lived and worked in this historic gold rush settlement.