California Gold Rush: Jamestown and Angels Camp In the late 1840s the discovery of gold in the Sierra Nevada foothills area of California brought on a rush of gold seekers. With the rapid population
growth of the area, the miners established many new towns. The once over populated bustling towns are now part of small town America with their historic
past on display as a chronological record of American development. These wonderful little towns make informative and fun get-a-ways and vacations for all
of us to enjoy.
Jamestown, located next door to Sonora, is another historic mining town with 54-preserved
sites. The oldest is the Jamestown Methodist Church, pre-1861 with additions made in the early 1920’s, creating one of the most distinctive architectural
sites in Jamestown.
The Sierra Railway originated in Jamestown in 1897 and transformed the town into a major transportation center. The rail station, outbuildings, roundhouse and entire site was sold to the State of California in 1982 becoming Railtown 1897 State Historic Park. Guided tours are given through the complex and the huge old steam engines are one display along with many huge tools and sidecars etc. My favorite was the rail ambulance, something I had never seen before. According to our guide when the Sierra Railway converted to diesel in 1955 they gave up the most “eco-friendliest” way to run a railroad, as these old steam engines ran on burning wood and the steam vapor is clean and clear. The 26-acre site is preserved, was and is used for filming movies. Locomotive No. 3 has been used in 50 motion pictures and more than 20 televisions series, so when you see her she does look very familiar. On site is a Hollywood film barn with a collection of paraphernalia from the movies filmed there. There is a full day of nostalgic enjoyment here and a great learning tool for the younger visitors. Angels Camp, another one of the Gold Rush towns founded in 1849, is located in Calaveras County along Hwy 49. In the town's heyday there were about 4,000 miners. Today its population is around 3,000. The entire town is honeycombed with miles of mine tunnels. Tourist can visit the past at the Angels Camp Museum featuring carriages, wagons and gold mining equipment, and Main Street is still functioning within original buildings. However unlike Columbia, this town is not all historic, this is the place visiting golfers and wine enthusiast can get their fix. When You're Ready for Something Different -- Wineries
Calaveras County is home to many vineyards, especially around the little town of Murphys. Only a short drive from Angeles Camp on Hwy 4, visitors can
enjoy the quaint little town that is known for wine tasting from the local vineyards. Visitors park their cars and walking up and down the main street
will find 12 wineries spread in between the boutique shops and best of all the tasting is free and served by a friendly host. Great food, and a unique
menu is found at the Murphys Historic Hotel Restaurant. In the town of Murphys there is a sign saying Ironstone Vineyards, this is one vineyard visitors
do not want to miss. Only a few minutes by car this family owned winery has achieved a level of fame not only for their wines but also for the beautiful
culture & arts milieu which they have created on their grounds. The Visitors center has a 36 foot long tasting bar and an enormous stone fire place
42 feet high 13 feet deep and 16 feet wide. Visitors are given a free tour of the winery and grounds, do not miss it. The tour includes the Amphitheatre
and lakeside park with multitudes of seasonal flowers. They have a 1927, 15 Rank pipe Organ in the Alhambra Theatre which is played for guests on the
tour. This winery is phenomenal. The small museum houses local Native American art and, books etc. and the largest specimen of crystalline gold in the
world. It was found in near-by Tuolumne County in 1992. Crystalline gold is the rarest form of gold and a rare treat to see. This 1150 acre winery
estate is home to many special events, concerts, weddings, car shows and such.
Gold Country is still beckoning; there are many interesting and remarkable places to visit “In them thar California foothills.”
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