Patchen, California, Santa Clara County, is an enchanting ghost town nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Northern California. Once a bustling community, Patchen now reflects the passage of time, inviting exploration and contemplation. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Santa Clara County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 37.1992° N, 121.9825° W
Elevation: Approximately 1,486 feet (453 meters)
Time Zone: Pacific Time Zone (PT)
Established: 1850s
Disestablished: Early 20th century
Comments: Patchen was once a thriving stagecoach stop between San Jose and Santa Cruz. The town was named after a renowned racehorse, Patchen, reflecting the lively nature of the community that lived there. During its peak, Patchen was home to a general store, post office, and a hotel, serving as an essential hub for travelers and locals alike.
Remains: Today, very few remnants of Patchen are visible. Some traces of the old stagecoach road can still be identified, and a few foundations and scattered ruins suggest the town’s vibrant past.
The area is mostly covered in vegetation, adding a mysterious charm to those who explore its depths. California became an American territory in 1846. The earliest known permanent white settler in what became Patchen was Charles Henry “Mountain Charley” McKiernan.
In the 1850s and 1860s, McKiernan built roads throughout his property on the summit of the mountains and operated a toll road down an old Indian trail near the site. In 1850, McKiernan settled near the lagoon about one mile south.
On May 8, 1854, McKiernan and John Taylor, a neighbor, were hunting with Taylor’s dog. They both shots at a grizzly bear and McKiernan hit the bear but only dazed it. Not having time to reload his gun, McKiernan hit the bear over the head with his rifle until it broke.
The enraged bear rose up and made a snap at Charley, California Ghost Towntching him over the left eye and forehead, crushing his skull, and tearing out a piece about five by three inches. Three San Jose doctors crafted a silver plate from two Mexican pesos and patched the hole in Charley’s head without the benefit of anesthetics.
Grizzly bears were reportedly hunted into extinction in California; the last reported sighting of a grizzly in the Santa Cruz Mountains was in November 1885 near Bonny Doon. McKiernan lived until January 16, 1892.
Current Status: Patchen is a ghost town, with no permanent residents. The site is mainly private property, with limited public access. However, it attracts interest from historians and ghost town enthusiasts who aim to uncover its hidden stories.
Remarks: Patchen’s legacy lives on through its captivating history and the whispers of its former glory. Although faded from the map, it symbolizes the pioneering spirit and the transient nature of early Californian settlements.
Visitors are encouraged to respect the private properties and tread lightly, honoring the echoes of the past that linger in this significant ghost town.
