North Columbia, California
Encyclopedia
North Columbia was a California Gold Rush
town on the San Juan Ridge
in Nevada County, California
. Originally known as Columbia, Columbia Hill, or The Hill because of its proximity to Columbia Hill, it started as a gold miners' camp around 1851. When a Post Office
was established on May 29, 1860, the word "North" was added in order to differentiate the settlement from Columbia, California
, another gold rush town in Tuolumne County, California
.
In 1878, when miners discovered that the Pliocene
gravel bed upon which the town was built contained rich gold deposits, North Columbia was moved to its present location. But with the eventual curtailment of hydraulic mining
, miners moved away. The Post Office closed in 1931.
Eventually, North Columbia became an unincorporated part of Nevada City, California
.
Foote's Crossing Road
, a National Historic Place
, links North Columbia to Alleghany
.
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
town on the San Juan Ridge
San Juan Ridge
The San Juan Ridge is a geographic featureextending approximately east-northeast between the South and Middle Yuba Rivers in the foothills of the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains...
in Nevada County, California
Nevada County, California
Nevada County is a county located in the Sierra Nevada of California, in the Mother Lode country. As of 2010 its population was 98,764. The county seat is Nevada City.-History:Nevada County was created in 1851 from parts of Yuba County....
. Originally known as Columbia, Columbia Hill, or The Hill because of its proximity to Columbia Hill, it started as a gold miners' camp around 1851. When a Post Office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
was established on May 29, 1860, the word "North" was added in order to differentiate the settlement from Columbia, California
Columbia, California
Columbia is a former California Gold Rush boomtown located in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The central portion of the town is preserved as a California state historic park and a National Historic Landmark that preserves the original, gold-rush-town flavor of the town, once dubbed the "Gem of the...
, another gold rush town in Tuolumne County, California
Tuolumne County, California
Tuolumne County is a county in the Sierra Nevada of the U.S. state of California. The northern half of Yosemite National Park is located in the eastern part of the county. As of the 2010 census, the population was 55,365, up from 54,501 at the 2000 census...
.
In 1878, when miners discovered that the Pliocene
Pliocene
The Pliocene Epoch is the period in the geologic timescale that extends from 5.332 million to 2.588 million years before present. It is the second and youngest epoch of the Neogene Period in the Cenozoic Era. The Pliocene follows the Miocene Epoch and is followed by the Pleistocene Epoch...
gravel bed upon which the town was built contained rich gold deposits, North Columbia was moved to its present location. But with the eventual curtailment of hydraulic mining
Hydraulic mining
Hydraulic mining, or hydraulicking, is a form of mining that uses high-pressure jets of water to dislodge rock material or move sediment. In the placer mining of gold or tin, the resulting water-sediment slurry is directed through sluice boxes to remove the gold.-Precursor - ground...
, miners moved away. The Post Office closed in 1931.
Eventually, North Columbia became an unincorporated part of Nevada City, California
Nevada City, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Nevada City had a population of 3,068. The population density was 1,399.7 people per square mile . The racial makeup of Nevada City was 2,837 White, 26 African American, 28 Native American, 46 Asian, 0 Pacific Islander, 40 from other races,...
.
Historic landmarks
The Columbia Hill Schoolhouse still stands, though it has been converted into a cultural center, hosting events such as the North Columbia Folk Festival and the Sierra Storytelling Festival.Foote's Crossing Road
Foote's Crossing Road
Foote's Crossing Road originates in North Columbia, California and winds through the Tahoe National Forest to connect with the community of Alleghany, California. It is a Registered Historic Place....
, a National Historic Place
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, links North Columbia to Alleghany
Alleghany, California
Alleghany is a small census-designated place in Sierra County, California, United States in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is situated in the Gold Country and continues to be a significant locale for gold mining. The famous Sixteen-to-One Mine has been in operation since the days of the...
.