Bestville is a ghost town located in Siskiyou County, California. Established in 1850 during the California Gold Rush, it was once a bustling mining camp but has since been abandoned, with no remaining structures. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Siskiyou County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 41°18′03″N, 123°08′35″W
Elevation: Not available
Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST) (UTC-8)
Established: 1850
Disestablished: Not available
Comments: Bestville was founded by Captain John Best and quickly developed amenities such as a saloon and a bowling alley by 1854. The town was situated on the North Fork Salmon River, just downstream from Sawyers Bar. Over time, as gold resources were exhausted, the population dwindled, leading to its abandonment.
Remains: Nothing remains today. Bestville, now in Siskiyou County was a California Gold Rush mining camp, first in Trinity County (one of the original counties of California, created in 1850 at the time of statehood). Then in the now defunct Klamath County from 1851 to 1874. It was then within that part of Klamath County annexed to Siskiyou County.
Current Status: Abandoned
Remarks: Bestville’s brief existence is emblematic of many Gold Rush-era towns that sprang up rapidly and disappeared just as quickly once resources were depleted. Its location near Sawyers Bar places it among several historic mining sites along the Salmon River.
