Wheaton, California facts for kids

Wheaton was once a small place, or a settlement, in Lassen County, California. It's called a "former settlement" because people don't live there anymore. Wheaton was located about 2 miles (or 3.2 kilometers) west of another place called Goumaz. It was also near the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks.

What is a Former Settlement?

A former settlement is a place where people used to live and work, but now it's empty. Sometimes these places are called "ghost towns." They might have had houses, stores, or even a school at one time. Over time, for different reasons, everyone moved away, and the settlement was left behind.

Why Do Settlements Disappear?

Settlements often disappear when the main reason people lived there goes away. For example, if a town grew because of a gold mine, and the gold ran out, people would leave to find work elsewhere. Changes in transportation, like new roads or railroads being built in different places, could also make a settlement less important. Sometimes, natural events like floods or droughts can also cause people to move away.

Where Was Wheaton Located?

Wheaton was in Lassen County, which is in the northeastern part of California. It was specifically located near the Southern Pacific Railroad. Railroads were very important in the past for moving goods and people across the country. Being near a railroad often meant a settlement could grow, but if the railroad changed its route or became less important, the settlement might decline.