Volcano, California Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Volcano
census-designated place
The landmark St. George Hotel in Volcano
Volcano Location in California
Country	United States
State	California
County	Amador County
Area
• Total	1.501 sq mi (3.887 km²)
• Land	1.501 sq mi (3.887 km²)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km²) 0%
Elevation	2,070 ft (631 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	104
• Density	69.3/sq mi (26.76/km²)
ZIP Code	95689
Area code(s)	209
GNIS feature ID	237127, 2583178
Website
California Historical Landmark
Reference #:	29

Volcano is a small community in Amador County, California. It was once known as Soldier's Gulch and The Volcano. This historic place sits at an elevation of 2,070 feet (631 meters) above sea level. In 2020, about 104 people lived here. Volcano is located just north of Pine Grove. It is officially recognized as a California Historical Landmark because of its rich past. The town uses ZIP code 95689 and area code 209.

History of Volcano
Things to See in Volcano
Famous People from Volcano
Population Information
Gallery
See also

History of Volcano

Pencil and ink drawing of Volcano, 1854

How Volcano Got Its Name

The town of Volcano is nestled in a valley that looks like a giant bowl. Early gold miners thought this shape was made by a volcano. The morning fog that often filled the valley made it look even more like a volcano was steaming. This is how the town got its unique name.

Gold Rush Days

The area was first explored by soldiers in 1849. They mined for gold in a spot they called Soldier's Gulch. By 1851, Volcano had its own post office. The town grew very quickly. By April 1852, there were 300 houses. Just a year later, in 1853, the area was buzzing with people. Volcano had 11 stores, six hotels, three bakeries, and three saloons.

In 1855, a new way of mining called hydraulic mining started. This brought thousands more people hoping to find gold. Volcano became a busy town with 17 hotels, a library, a theater, and even its own courts.

Volcano During the Civil War

During the American Civil War, the gold from Volcano helped the Union side. A special group called the "Volcano Blues" secretly brought a large, 800-pound (363 kg) cannon into town. They hid it in a hearse! This cannon was named "Old Abe." Its purpose was to scare people who supported the Confederate side.

"Old Abe" was made in Boston in 1837. It's special because it's one of only two cannons made on the same day with the serial number 4. The other cannon, called "Shiloh Sam," is still at the Shiloh Battlefield. "Old Abe" was fired only once during the Civil War. It was shot down Main Street, breaking windows in shops that were secretly helping the South. Today, "Old Abe" is the only cannon of its age in the U.S. that is still on its original 19th-century wooden carriage.

Town Decline and Historic Firsts

Volcano almost became the main town for the county in 1854 and again in 1857. However, the local newspaper closed in 1857, and the town started to become smaller.

Even though it's a small town, Volcano is famous for many "firsts" in California:

1854: It had the first theater group in California.
1854: It had the first debating society in California.
1854: It had the first circulating library in California.
1855: It had some of the first private schools in California.
1855: It had the first private law school in California.
1860: It had the first astronomical observatory in California.
1978: It had the first solar still in California.

Things to See in Volcano

Volcano has many buildings from the Gold Rush era. Signs explain their history. The post office in Volcano opened in 1851. The town also has one of California's oldest general stores, which has been open since 1852. The Union Billiard Saloon and Boarding House opened in 1880. It was also where Judge Peter Jonas held the Volcano Justice Court.

St. George Hotel

The famous St. George Hotel is a landmark in Volcano. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The hotel was built in 1862 by B.F. George. It stands where two earlier hotels, the Eureka Hotel (burned in 1853) and the Empire Hotel (burned in 1859), once stood.

First Astronomical Observatory

In 1860, George Madeira set up California's first recorded astronomical observatory in Volcano. This is where the Great Comet of 1861 was first seen in the U.S. This observatory is also a California Historical Landmark.

Black Chasm Cave

Volcano is also home to Black Chasm Cave. This amazing cave is recognized as a National Natural Landmark.

Volcano Theater Company

The Volcano Theater Company started in 1974. They perform plays every year. They use both the historic 1856 Cobblestone Theater and a larger outdoor Volcano Amphitheater.

Daffodil Hill

Daffodil Hill is a beautiful public garden. It opens every spring, and you can visit for free. Daffodils were first planted here in the mid-1800s by Pete Denzer. He wanted the flowers to remind him of his home country, Holland. In 1877, Arthur McLaughlin and his wife, Lizzie, bought the land. Their family still owns and takes care of it today. In the spring, about 300,000 flowers bloom here!

Famous People from Volcano

James T. Farley: He was a United States Senator for California from 1879 to 1885.
Harry B. Liversedge: Born in Volcano in 1894, he was a track star in the 1920 and 1924 Olympics. He later became a Brigadier General. He is famous for leading the regiment involved in the historic Iwo Jima flag raising.
Angelo Joseph Rossi: He was the 31st Mayor of San Francisco from 1931 to 1944.

Population Information

Volcano first appeared as a census designated place in the 2010 U.S. Census. The 2010 United States Census reported that Volcano had a population of 115 people. In 2020, the population was 104.