Charming California boom town where residents still hunt for hidden gold

A little-known former boom town in California is attracting new interest as residents claim they are still finding gold.

Tucked into the Sierra Nevada hills, Washington became a Gold Rush hotspot when it was first settled two centuries ago.

Today it is one of the oldest mining towns in the state and still retains many original buildings and features.

Remarkably, many residents of the close-knit community also regularly hunt for hidden gold along the scenic South Yuba River, which runs parallel to the main road.

‘I found enough to make earrings. But I haven’t made them yet,” says Harmony Blake, 47 years old SFGoes.

The land was first settled in 1849 as Indiana Camp – named after the Indiana mining company that settled there.

The official name Washington came a little later, in 1850, along with a stream of new residents hoping to strike it rich.

At its peak, thousands of people lived in the city. But as of 2022, only about 100 residents remain.

In the 1870s, there were more Chinese miners than any other demographic group.

According to the Province of Nevada website, the Sierra Hills community even had its own Chinatown along the South Yuba River.

But by 1890 only a few hundred remained.

Now a campsite has been set up on the land where Chinese miners once searched for gold.

The ‘Lil’ Town of Washington’ has avoided modernization, with key historic sites such as the Washington Hotel – which opened in 1857 and has 14 rooms – proving integral to the fabric of the city.

The building has a homely appearance, with photos of deceased residents on the walls as if it were a large living room.

Guests fondly remember the former owner, Su Morgan DeCorte, who died in 2010, as “Mama Su.”

Inside, the ceiling is covered with all kinds of objects – from wheels to tools – adding to the quirky look of the place.

Beers are served in mason jars, condiments are stored in empty cardboard beer cartons and money is pinned to the walls.

Blake, who works as a bartender at the hotel, said locals stop by for meals and drinks at the bar throughout the day, creating a core group of regulars.

She told SFGate: “Nothing ever really shuts down, even in bad weather. The bar is always open, no matter how bad it is. It doesn’t matter if the power is off. We have a generator.’

Meanwhile, the hotel’s brochure states it has just three rules: ‘No dogs. No Douchebags. No WiFi.’

In the 1850s, more than 180 gold mines were active within an eleven kilometer radius of the thriving hotel.

As miners flooded Washington, the city bustled with residents and visitors.

Before she died, Mama Su documented that there were “five grocery stores, two clothing stores, three hotels, a billiards parlor, a bowling alley, rum shops and bars, too many to count,” SFGate reported.

The Washington General Store is another important part of the city.

Owned by Gary Banks of Fresno, the building has been preserved and decorated with plaques honoring the original owners, Fong Chow and Lonnie Tom.

The city’s Brimskill Building is located along the main strip and is believed to be the oldest structure in Nevada County, according to sources. historical marker. It served as a store selling miners’ supplies.

Wells Fargo also had an office in the building and shipped thousands of dollars in gold from Washington.

The Kohler Building is another preserved site, which also served as a general merchandise store.

However, some residents increasingly fear for the city’s future as its population declines.

The city’s only school building closed in 2022 because there were not enough children to fill it.

The school, built in 1905, had only four students when it closed. Ten years earlier there were only ten students.

As of 2020, the average age of Washington residents was 61 years old, SFGate reported.

Nevertheless, the city continues to fight to withstand the test of time.

Two campgrounds, the River Rest Resort and Little Town Campground, are currently helping to support the economy.

But the campgrounds attract fewer visitors in the colder seasons, leaving many locals wondering whether the declining tourism trend will last forever.