Columbia State Historic Park- a living Gold Rush Town

Описание: Columbia State Historic Park- a living Gold Rush Town

Columbia was once known as the "Gem of the Southern Mines." The town's Gold Rush-era business district was designated as a State Park by Governor Earl Warren in July 1945. Today we can take a step back in time to experience life in 1850s California.

Within weeks of finding gold in the vicinity of Columbia, thousands of people arrived, and the population climbed to 5,000. By 1852, there were 8 hotels, 4 banks, 17 general stores, 2 firehouses, 2 bookstores, 1 newspaper, 3 churches, and over 40 drinking/gambling establishments. Between 1850 and the early 1900s, $150 million in gold was removed from the surrounding hills.
Amidst the rugged oak woodlands of the Sierra Nevada foothills lies Columbia State Historic Park - once a busy, brawling gold rush town.
Columbia's main street in the historic district, part of the Columbia State Historic Park, is closed to automobile traffic, but horses, carriages, bicycles and pedestrians are welcomed.
Columbia State Historic Park lies within the boundaries of a real town, Columbia, CA.
After the Gold Rush, Columbia never became a ghost town.
The town has merchants, museums, Food establishments, Saloons, a schoolhouse and a whole lot more.
We took a stagecoach ride around the outskirts of town, spent some time in the museum and spoke to the proprietress of the Columbia Mercantile.
Columbia is located about 60 miles (96 km) from Modesto California or 140 miles from San Francisco.
There is no cost to visit Columbia State Park and there is no cost for the parking either.

Check out the website for the Columbia Mercantile at
http://columbiamercantile1855.com/

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