Norristown, California, Sacramento County is an intriguing ghost town that captures the imagination of many who seek the stories of forgotten places. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Sacramento County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 38° 33′ 28″ N, 121° 25′ 4″ W
Elevation: Not available
Time Zone: Pacific Time Zone
Established: Not available
Disestablished: Not available
Comments: Like many ghost towns, Norristown’s history is shrouded in mystery. It is one of the lesser-known ghost towns in Sacramento County and does not feature prominently in historical records. This obscurity adds to the intrigue, inviting exploration and speculation about its past.
Remains: It was located on the south bank of the American River, four miles east of Sacramento on a road leading to the goldfields, that later became L Street, in the vicinity of what is now the California State University Sacramento.
Current Status: Norristown’s current status is unknown, as it does not appear on modern maps and lacks significant documentation. Any physical remains have likely been overtaken by nature or development.
Remarks: Norristown reminds us of the many small settlements that once dotted California but have since faded into obscurity.
The lack of detailed information can frustrate those curious about its past, but it also offers a sense of freedom to imagine the lives and stories that may have unfolded there. Norristown was built above the reach of flooding by the river, unlike Sacramento below it. During the flooding of Sacramento in 1852–53, it began as a settlement called Hoboken for citizens of Sacramento who fled the inundation of their city.
Sam Norris, who owned the land, tried to make it a permanent settlement. However, most of the refugees returned to Sacramento, and Norristown failed to grow and soon vanished.
