Silver Mountain, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Silver Mountain
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Former settlement
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 Silver Mountain
Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Alpine County |
| Elevation | 6,411 ft (1,954 m) |
Silver Mountain was once a small town in Alpine County, California. It was also known by names like Kongsberg or Silver Mountain City. This former settlement was located high in the mountains, about 6,411 feet (1,954 meters) above sea level. It sat near Silver Creek, about 5 miles (8 kilometers) north of Ebbetts Pass. Today, Silver Mountain is a "ghost town," meaning no one lives there anymore.
Contents
The Story of Silver Mountain
A Town Built on Silver
Silver Mountain was founded in 1858 by a group of miners from Norway. They named their new home Köngsberg or Konigsberg, after a city in Norway. The miners came to this area hoping to find valuable silver.
Within just one year, the town grew very quickly. About 3,000 people moved to Silver Mountain, all hoping to strike it rich. It became a busy place with many people working in the mines.
Post Office and Name Changes
The town's first post office opened in 1863, making it easier for people to send and receive mail. It closed for a short time in 1864. Then, in 1865, the town's name officially changed from Konigsberg to Silver Mountain. The post office reopened under this new name.
However, the post office eventually closed for good in 1883. This was a sign that the town was starting to decline.
The County Seat
In 1864, when Alpine County was first created, Silver Mountain was chosen as its very first county seat. A county seat is like the main town or capital of a county, where the government offices are located. This meant important decisions for the county were made in Silver Mountain.
But in 1875, the county seat was moved to Markleeville. This was another sign that Silver Mountain was becoming less important.
Why the Town Disappeared
By 1886, the silver mines that had brought so many people to Silver Mountain were no longer producing much silver. It became too difficult and expensive to find the precious metal. Because the mines were no longer profitable, people started to leave the town.
Eventually, Silver Mountain was completely abandoned. The buildings were left empty, and the once-busy streets became quiet. Today, it stands as a reminder of California's mining history.
