Cherokee, California, is a captivating ghost town located in Butte County. Once a bustling hub during the California Gold Rush, Cherokee now stands as a tribute to the fleeting nature of boomtowns. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Cherokee is situated in Butte County, a region known for its rich history and diverse landscapes.
Zip Code: Not available.
Latitude / Longitude: The geographic coordinates for Cherokee are approximately 39.6475° N latitude and 121.5492° W longitude.
Elevation: Cherokee is positioned at an elevation of around 1,299 feet (396 meters) above sea level.
Time Zone: The town falls within the Pacific Time Zone (PT).
Established: Cherokee was founded in the mid-1800s, during the peak of the California Gold Rush.
Disestablished: While the exact date of disestablishment is not documented, Cherokee declined significantly by the early 1900s as gold mining activities ceased.
Comments: Cherokee began as a mining town, attracting a diverse group of prospectors seeking fortune. The town was named after a group of Cherokee miners who settled there and discovered gold. At its peak, Cherokee was home to several thousand residents and boasted a variety of businesses and amenities, including a hotel, stores, and a post office.
Remains: Today, remnants of Cherokee’s past can still be seen, including old mining equipment, foundations of buildings, and the Cherokee Cemetery. The cemetery is one of the more enduring tributes to the town’s former inhabitants.
Current Status: Cherokee is considered a ghost town, with minimal residential presence. It is primarily of interest to historians, tourists, and those exploring the rich heritage of California’s gold mining era.
Remarks: Cherokee’s rich history and the remnants left behind offer a glimpse into the life and times of a 19th-century gold mining community. Visitors to the area can explore the Cherokee Museum, which preserves artifacts and stories from the town’s vibrant past. Cherokee serves as a reminder of the ephemeral nature of mining towns and the enduring allure of the American West.
