Coleman City, California, Del Norte County is a ghost town that whispers tales of its once-thriving mining community. Nestled in the rugged heart of California’s northwestern region, it draws curious adventurers excited to explore its forgotten past. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Del Norte
Zip Code: Not available.
Latitude / Longitude: 41.7917° N, 123.9928° W
Elevation: Approximately 2,000 feet
Time Zone: Pacific Time Zone (PT)
Established: Around 1853
Disestablished: Late 1800s
Comments: Coleman City emerged during the California Gold Rush, attracting miners with the promise of gold in the nearby Smith River area. The town was named after a prospector, Andy Coleman, who was among the first to exploit the region’s mineral resources. Its population swelled rapidly in the mid-19th century, driven by the aspirations of miners seeking fortune.
Remains: Very little remains of Coleman City today. Over time, most structures have succumbed to the elements. However, keen explorers might still find traces of old building foundations and mining equipment scattered in the dense underbrush, serving as silent witnesses to the town’s industrious past.
Coleman City was founded in the early months of 1870 by the first placer miners who rushed to Coleman Creek, following the news of the discovery of gold thereby A. E. Coleman who first discovered gold there in January 1870. Coleman, with earlier experience in the gold camps in Northern California, subsequently formed the Coleman Mining District and was its recorder.
He also established the Emily City mining townsite. This mining camp later renamed Coleman City in his honor, served the placer gold miners along Coleman Creek in the Coleman Mining District. The San Diego Union reported on February 17, 1870, that the camp had 75 miners inhabiting it. On March 17, following the discovery of the Washington Mine, it reported Coleman City consisted of a dozen tents with a population of 150 men, many sleeping on the ground in the open.
Current Status: Abandoned
Remarks: Despite its brief existence, Coleman City played a role in the broader narrative of the Gold Rush era. Its story is emblematic of many such towns that rose and fell in the wake of America’s westward expansion. The challenges of isolation, dwindling resources, and the eventual depletion of gold led to its decline. Today, it stands as a poignant reminder of the relentless pursuit of opportunity and the impermanence of human endeavors.
