Sandy Gulch, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sandy Gulch
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Roadside monument
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 Sandy Gulch
Location in California
Sandy Gulch
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Calaveras County |
| Elevation | 2,592 ft (790 m) |
| Population
(2016)
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| • Total | 42 |
| Reference #: | 253 |
Sandy Gulch is a small community in Calaveras County, California. It's located southwest of West Point on State Route 26. This area is called an unincorporated community because it doesn't have its own local government. It sits about 2,592 feet (790 meters) above sea level.
Contents
What is Sandy Gulch?
Sandy Gulch is a small place in California. It's known for its history from the Gold Rush days. Today, it's a quiet community with homes and a baseball field. The area is also home to a few small businesses. In 2016, about 42 people lived there.
A Look Back in Time
Sandy Gulch was started in 1849. It became a busy trading spot for miners. These miners were looking for gold in the area. The community was named after a "gulch," which is a small valley or ravine. This gulch is where William and Dan Carsner found large pieces of gold. These gold nuggets were found mixed in with coarse sand.
Gold Rush Days
The area where Sandy Gulch is located was once home to many Miwok Native Americans. During the Gold Rush, water was very important for mining. Water was brought to Sandy Gulch from the middle part of the Mokelumne River. This water traveled through special channels called Sandy Gulch and Kadish Ditches.
Around the early 1850s, miners started looking for quartz gold. Quartz mining involves digging for gold that is found inside rock. The first "custom stamp mill" in the area was built here. A stamp mill was a machine that crushed rocks to get the gold out.
A Historical Landmark
Sandy Gulch is officially recognized as California Historical Landmark #253. This means it's an important historical site in California. It helps us remember the history of the Gold Rush.
Sandy Gulch Today
Today, Sandy Gulch is a small, quiet place. You can see a group of homes around a town baseball field. It's a community where people live and work.
