Jaeger City, California, Imperial County was once a bustling hub during the gold rush era, drawing in those in search of fortune and adventure. Today, it’s a symbol of the temporary nature of boomtowns that rapidly rise and fall. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Imperial County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 32.7217° N, 114.6314° W
Elevation: Approximately 135 feet (41 meters)
Time Zone: Pacific Time Zone (PST/PDT)
Established: Around the 1850s
Disestablished: Not formally disestablished but declined significantly by the late 19th century
Comments: Jaeger City emerged as a key crossing point along the Colorado River, serving miners and settlers heading west. It was strategically located near Fort Yuma, providing a vital link for supplies and transportation during the gold rush.
Jaeger City or Jaegerville was a former settlement in what is now Imperial County, California Ghost Townlifornia, at Jaeger’s Ferry on the Colorado River a mile downstream from Fort Yuma. It was named for L. J. F. Jaeger who ran the ferry there from 1851.
Remains: Very little remains of Jaeger City today. The townsite is largely covered by desert sands and impacted by the changing course of the Colorado River. Exploring the area may uncover occasional artifacts and foundations.
Jaeger City, then in San Diego County, California Ghost Townlifornia was the first and largest settlement near the fort until 1862. It began as a stockade for the defense of the ferry and its operators against the Quechan, and a collection of tents. It was a San Antonio-San Diego Mail Line station from 1857 to 1860.
At its height, it consisted of the Fort Yuma Station of the Butterfield Overland Mail and its local office, a hotel, two blacksmiths, two stores, and other dwellings. Colorado City began in 1853 lay across the river and Arizona City lay a mile above it across from Fort Yuma.
Current Status: Jaeger City is currently classified as a ghost town. It holds historical significance but has no permanent population or active community. The site is located southeast of Winterhaven, California Ghost Townlifornia. Since 1862, the flooding of the river has washed away all trace of the settlement.
Remarks: Jaeger City reminds us of the transient nature of settlements that sprouted during the gold rush. Its location near the river made it a pivotal site during its heyday, but the relentless shifts in industry and geography led to its decline. Enthusiasts of history and the Old West may find visiting the site a poignant experience, reflecting on the stories of those who once passed through in pursuit of their dreams.
Jaeger City was destroyed, along with Colorado City across the river, in the Great Flood of 1862. Jaeger City was never rebuilt. Jaeger’s Ferry was rebuilt and Colorado City also, on higher ground as part of Arizona City, later renamed Yuma, Arizona in 1873, and the ferry relocated there across from the fort.
